PERSONALITY
Ultimately, your photos should be a reflection of who you are and what you feel comfortable in! If you’re comfortable in your outfit, you’ll look at ease in the photos. Feel free to bring a few accessories that really highlight your personality, like big hats, chunky scarves, funky sunglasses, or statement jewelry. If you have body art, feel free to show it off!
Showing skin is always an instant way to create intimacy and connection so don’t be afraid of off-the-shoulder dresses or tops that show your neckline.
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COLOR
Since I often photograph outdoors, I typically recommend jewel tones or earthy tones, neutrals, or metallics. This doesn’t just mean creams, browns, and greys. There are neutrals for every single color!
Instead of vibrant green, think soft, sage green. Instead of bright red, think maroon or burgundy or rust. Instead of brilliant yellow, think mustard. If your colors are too bright, they will draw all the attention in the photos. We want to keep the focus on emotion and moments of connection, instead of your color.
For men, it’s hard to go wrong with chambray blue.
BE COMPLIMENTARY
Complimentary outfits are good. Matching exactly is boring. When you’re too matchy you don’t stand out from each other. Complimentary means the colors, textures, accessories, patterns and tones all sing together while there is still separation from each of the subjects and the background.
MOVEMENT & FOOTWEAR
Anything that can show movement is a yes! A dress that can catch in the breeze, a skirt that makes you want to dance, a lightweight scarf. Komonos are great, lace, sheer fabrics that can catch the sun shining through them all are good things. The stiffer the material, the less you’ll be able to move. Oh and don’t forget to iron any big wrinkles out of items. Removing them in post-processing can be nearly impossible.
As far as footwear, I love bare feet! It grounds you and makes the photos instantly cozy and have a natural authenticity to them. Otherwise ballet flats or sandals. We want your footwear to disappear, not be a focal point. Definitely no platforms, high heels or shoes that are difficult to move in.
AVOID
Choose colors that compliment your skin tones. If you have olive skin tones or darker skin, feel free to wear muted reds, oranges, and pinks. If you have light skin tones, I recommend avoiding the red/orange/pink family. Busy prints can work but only if the location is not busy and the pattern is balanced with solid colors from the other outfits. It’s usually best to keep it simple and dress up the personalities with textures. Avoid short dresses that are hard to sit in without exposing yourself.
A note on wearing black: black can easily illuminate pet hair or dirty particles and look speckled or dirty. It can also conceal a very pregnant belly from the front, so I suggest avoiding mostly-black outfits. If black is your color, though, we can certainly make it work! Feel free to text me with outfit choices and I would love to collaborate with you on what will work best!
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OPTIONS
It can be helpful for you each to bring 3-5 shirts and 2-3 bottoms to mix and match depending on our location and the colors and light we are working with. If you’re not comfortable changing clothes at our location, feel free to text me photos of your options before the shoot so that we can make choices beforehand to get the best photos possible!
Having options for me to choose from helps take your photos from good to outstanding. Plus it takes the pressure off of you to know how to match an outfit with the colors and mood of a location.
