I have so many clients asking my advice on outfits for their photography sessions, from brides and grooms to families with kids. I thought I'd compile a list of inspiration to help you navigate your plans up to your session to make it a little easier on you and help you take one more thing off your to-do list.
1. Got to Have Options:
Couples: I encourage my couples to bring options, 3 or 4 will be PLENTY. Typically the more choices and the more changes, the more variety you have when it comes to the final product. Plus a girl loves options, right?!
Families: For families 1 or 2 outfits are suiting. The more people you add, the less time you have to get everyone dressed and picture ready! One outfit is normally on the dressier side and one outfit is more relaxed and casual.
2. Matchy-Matchy is so out:
Couples: I usually suggest wear complimentary outfits. Either choose something that coordinates or choose something that highlights the contrast between the two outfits. You can certainly wear something in the same color family, but do not make it look intentional. Matching is cute for twin babies or children, but not sophisticated enough for your gorgeous session.
Families: Think outside the idea of "family beach portrait from the year 2000". What do you see when you look at a photo of everyone wearing khakis and white? You see a sea of khaki and white. You don't see the people or the depth of color and contrast. Don't try so hard. What would you wear to a nice but casual date night? That will be just fine.
3. Let if flow:
Don't have competing colors or patterns. Play around with scale. You do not want various plaids or stripes competing against each other and not showing the beauty of the people in the photo. Sometimes one person in a strong pattern is plenty. A simple solid top on another person is fine.
4. Look like you Belong Together:
What I mean is that if you are wearing a more formal outfit, don't let your man be wearing a tattered t-shirt and busted up jeans with flip flops. Dress so that you look like you are together when you get out of the car in public, not like you came from two different worlds- like in the movies.
5. Writing and Logos:
Writing does not always photography how it might in a magazine with a model. You will not be standing so that you can read or see the entire shirt at all times, for this reason, try to stay around from shirts with writing or large logos that detract from the purpose of the session. We are not selling a brand, we are photographing a memorable season in your life... one you should be proud to display on your wall.
6. Mix it up:
Accessorize and mix it up. (Ladies) bring multiple shoe options, cardigan, belts, jewelry, scarves, or hats if you'd like. Whatever you would normally wear that shows your unique style. These make it more original and showcase your own flair.
7. Recommendations:
Personally, I love BLUE (however if you don't, don't wear it). I think it is appealing on everyone. It looks gorgeous against the greenery on our farm, and I have never found a skin tone that did not look good in blue. If you are fair skinned, don't wear white on a cold day (just a note from another fair-skinned girl). Wear something that is flattering to your skin and your body type. Everyone is different, but something you have been complimented in usually works perfect. Don't wear a shade of green that will get lost in the trees- many of our backgrounds have tons of natural landscape and we want to see you, gorgeous! Black and white (by themselves) are not my favorite, they are typically really sharp. Some people can rock them, but they tend to bring more contrast than necessary. Bright reds are very very hard to edit, especially against skin tone and hair (so just be sparing when using red). If you have a question just ask!
8. Props, Pets, and Tag-a-longs
In regards to props, I do not typically buy or use props in my sessions. I think that simple is better. However, if there is something sentimental or sweet that you want to bring that represents you or the message you are sending, feel free to bring it and we will incorporate it uniquely into your session.
When you have a pet that you would like photographed with you, please let us know in advance. We have free-range birds and pets of our own that we want to make sure are put away before you arrive. Please bring water and treats and a leash (or what have you) to keep them safe and occupied. Be prepared to either keep them in the car (with the windows down) during the remainder of your session or bring someone else to take care of them and keep them calm as this environment will be out of their ordinary routine.
Oh tag-a-longs! Ok so here goes... do you feel romantic when you kiss in front of your parents? Is it natural? Can you be intimate and yourself in front of your little sister to get the images you want? Typically, no. If you are a solo model or your session is for senior portraits, yes bring someone with you- a friend, a sister, a parent, but DO NOT bring your future in laws to your engagement session (unless you have to for pet watching purposes)! Don't bring your mom to your boudoir shoot. I promise you will understand why once your session is over, but then you've wasted time and money to get images that you were not happy or comfortable in. Help me help you get the sweet images and style you see on our blog!
9. Warn me:
If there is something that you are concerned about, something that you are self-conscious about, just tell me. I am here to make you feel your best. I'm here to show the world what you love about you. Here's what I mean: When I laugh or smile too hard, my gums have a tendency to show up in my photos (yes this is true). If someone takes a photo of me and my gummy smile, I get super uncomfortable. I laugh a LOT and sometimes this is the result. Just let me know before we begin your session. I am not a magazine editor, so I try to make you look like you, not like Britney Spears with TSwifts hair and a smile like Bieber. I am not a miracle worker (haha), I just want to showcase your naturalness.
10. Confidence:
Don't try a new style (hair- don't get a fresh hair cut or clothing) out on this session. This is an investment and something that you want to remember. This is a time in your life you want to showcase. This is not the time for experimenting or a mid-life crisis. You want to feel like you! So just be you!
You should be confident. If you are not a naturally confident person, don't fret! But, it is my goal that by the end of your session at Jackson Pine Farm that you will walk away feeling like a million bucks. I need your help though, don't set yourself up for failure. Follow the steps above to help me make you feel comfortable and confident. Don't try to be someone that you aren't. However, I rarely meet a person that is comfortable at taking photos at first, or that has actually had professional photos taken. And, by the end of their session, they are ROCKING it like they have been doing it forever. That's what I want. I want to set you up to feel your best in your own skin, and then show you how pose confidently so that you not only have a wonderful time, but so that you LOVE the photos you get back.
If you're looking for a photographer or venue in Jacksonville, Florida, come check us out! We would LOVE to meet you and your loved ones and capture the season of life that you are celebrating!
xoxo,
Lauren