1. Coordinating colors not matching.
Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching. Instead, pick a couple of colors and choose clothes that will fit in this color scheme. If you’re a family I highly recommend looking on Pinterest, start with a main color you like and look for coordinating colors. Search something like “family picture clothing blue”. Also, instead of all plain colors, choose some plaids, stripes or patterns in to break it up.
2. Look at your home decor.
Do you like bright colors? Neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colors of your clothes go with the color scheme of your home.
3. Don’t forget props or accessories.
Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos. Have the man wear a tie for the woman to hold. Necklaces for the kids to play with or hats to hide behind. You can accessorize any outfit with boots, hat, sunglasses, scarf, bow tie, etc.
4. Limit patterns.
Personally, I enjoy having an outfit in the mix that has all the colors in it. However, not everyone in the photo should wear patterns as it may distract the final image.
5. Look for clothing collections.
When shopping for clothes for my kids, I head to stores that typically have color coordinating collections. I can then purchase clothes for all the children from one store. I know their clothes will coordinate. For families – typically moms love the photos the most, so maybe start with mom’s outfit and work the family around that :)
6. Textures are your friend.
I am a huge fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs I like to add textures like scarves, sweaters, or belts to add a little more to the image. Don’t shy away from different textures.
7. Consider your background.
If shooting downtown – choose more urban styled outfits and colors that will go with lots of colors. If shooting in nature think of colors that will complement with the colors in the nature setting.
7. Individuals
When it’s just you, looking cohesive just doesn’t apply, so this is where it gets really fun! Colors are fabulous, but so are browns, creams (even really light creams), and grays. Make sure it’s something you’re comfortable in, casual, and in whatever you feel most beautiful (or most handsome, boys), and especially most CONFIDENT, is what will make you shine. If you just can’t decide – bring it all, and we’ll put you in something amazing :)
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THINGS TO AVOID:
1. Avoid stark white, it does not photograph well. A soft white or cream look nicer.
2. Avoid neon as it casts strong colors on the face and other individuals in the photos.
3. Avoid too many people in black as it casts dark shadows in already dark areas, like under the eyes.
4. Also avoid logos and writing across your clothes, which can be pretty distracting in photos.
5. Orange is a tough color to wear for most people because it pulls out the orange in your skin tone or hair.
Last but not least, don’t forget to make sure your clothes reflect you and are something you’re EXCITED to wear! I wore a black shirt and jeans for my engagement session and I can’t stand what I wore! I never wore black and it didn’t reflect my style of clothing in any way. I just wore it because that’s what was recommended. How I wish I could go back and wear something more me :)
