BE READY. CAMERA READY.

Clients always ask me what they should wear, and my answer is always "it depends."  The reason for this is that I may recommend different things based on who will be photographed, where the shoot takes place, and the overall look & feel we are going for. 

For example, I love to shoot photos of children that paint a portrait of who they really are.  A baby in dress clothes is totes adorbs, but the clothing becomes merely a background to their wide eyes and chubby cheeks.  Spunky kids can pull off bright colors and patterns with fervor, but any neutral with texture is always a winner because it won't detract from the face.  A high school senior may want to showcase some of their athletic gear or instruments - no problem because it's part of their story.  For family and generational photos, simple and similar colors are best. 

But there are some general recommendations that I would universally suggest:

  • Jeans, overalls, sun/slip dresses are classics and photograph well. Think guys in jeans & sweaters or henleys/tees, and girls in simple sundresses with movement; weather permitting of course. 

  • Stick to a simple palette of 3-4 complementary colors

  • Mix it up - avoid everyone having the same look

  • If you select a pattern, coordinate with soft colors or neutrals

  • Winter can be knit hats in complementary colors and jackets in coordinating colors.

  • Don't be afraid to add a few pops of color, especially in accessories

  • Jeans photograph better than khakis (wrinkles!)

  • No socks only. Ever. Either shoes or bare feet.

  • Layers and textures add visual interest - think cable knit sweaters or chunky scarves

  • Long sleeves are preferred over short sleeves if weather appropriate

  • Hats, blankets, umbrellas & balloons, etc. are all great extras

  • Seniors, ask about the Style Closet!

 

BEYOND THE CLOTHES Some other things to keep in mind when prepping for your shoot include:

HAPPY FACES
I aim for a happy, calm and fun energy for our sessions to make optimal portraits. For families with young children, I suggest avoiding meal & nap
times when scheduling sessions if possible, so little ones are happy & content.

GOOD HAIR DAY
If you want to get a haircut for your portrait, get it a week or two prior to your session. Great hair needs a few days after a cut to come into its own.

WHAT ABOUT SPARKY?
Sometimes families are just not complete without their beloved pet. If you’d like your pet in your portraits I just ask that you let me know in advance.
Please make sure they get exercise and bathroom breaks beforehand so they’re happy during your session. Treats usually don’t hurt, either.

SMILE & RELAX
Smiles as you know are extremely contagious. Make sure your family is expecting the session to be all about fun and togetherness. It’s a special
event designed to bring out and capture the love you and your family share. So smile, relax, have fun!

HAIR & MAKEUP TIPS
- I recommend choosing your favorite look and keeping things clean and simple. Avoid trying out a drastic new look or hairstyle.
- A touch of hair spray to keep things in place is all you need. Avoid shiny, stiffening hair products.
- Consider going slightly heavier on makeup application, especially with lashes and lipstick. - For seniors, packages including professional hair & makeup are offered.

WHAT TO AVOID

  • Large-scale patterns that can be distracting

  • Large logos and graphics, cartoon or other characters

  • Big, white sneakers

  • Chipped nail polish

  • Visible bra straps

  • Clothing that is too tight

Simple goes a long way! I like to keep the focus on the subject; therefore, simple clothing choices are best for creating timeless portraits.

Let's say, however, you want a trendier look. Well, then things change a bit! I love the timeless looks in the clothing mentioned above, but also enjoy photographing a session with a more "hip" feel to it. Go ahead and layer that velvet! Please let me know ahead of time if you'd like to try for a trendier look, or a more classic look, or even both so we can work together to find the best location/backdrops for you. 

At the end of the day, clothes alone don't make good photos, but bad clothes can certainly detract from them. Feel free to reach out with ideas on a few outfits that you are considering prior to your shoot and I can help you make the final choice on what would best suit the look and feel you are going for in your portraits.

I don't have many hard-and-fast rules, and my suggestions always conclude with the following:

1.  Be comfortable. 

2. Be yourself.

xoxo,

Nicole

Still have questions?  Contact me for a pre-shoot consultation!