Every picture tells a story.
One of the most frequent questions I get before a session is, “What should I wear?”. I always hesitate with a response because the answer isn’t as simple as one would think. There are so many factors that play in like will the session be indoors or outdoors? Will it be during the spring or fall? What is the manner of the session? The questions are endless.
To make the answer simple, you can wear anything you please! Clothing is a way to express who you are inside and out, which is what every session is aimed to show. Unless desired, there is no need to rush out and pick up the latest trends to catch the camera’s eye. And quite frankly, many families do not have time for a shopping spree between work, school, sports, activities, and so much more craziness. Whatever makes you and your family happy is ideal!
That being said, if you are still looking for inspiration, here are a few suggestions on what usually works best coming from someone behind the lens:
- Solids over patterns- Patterns can become distracting and take away from the image. Solid clothing is always a great option because it allows for the focus to be on your face, expression, and personality of the shot.
- Neutral colors- I’ve found neutrals work well in almost any situation and location. They are easy to find in preexisting closets and can be coordinated with other session members in the blink of an eye!
- Coordination- If it’s a family session, a trick is to lay out every outfit on the bed next to each other and see if they flow seamlessly from the next. Make sure one outfit doesn’t stick out tremendously from another. If extended families from different households will be in the session together, send pictures in a group chat and compare as you would if they were right in front of you.
- Accessorizing- A ring, a beautiful necklace, a few bracelets, or even a pair of stunning earrings are a great way to show individualism. But, take caution on how big and how many accessories are worn to avoid distraction in shots. Simple and minimal is a great way to go. Glasses are also up to your discretion. If you’d like to keep them on, great! If not, that’s okay too.
- Final tip- Wear whatever you are comfortable in. You do not want to spend the entire session in something unbearable and costs you from capturing the true “you”.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything.”
– Aaron Sisking
We become so fixated on choosing outfits and making sure each family member’s ensemble has coordinating undertones, we sometimes forget the true meaning behind the session. The time spent and photos snapped are keepsakes to enjoy for a lifetime, and maybe even longer after that. Trust me when I say do not dwell on each little aspect of the shoot and rather take a deep breath and watch the beautiful memories unfold. You’ll soon realize you are doing a great job at navigating through this crazy little thing we call life, one step (or snapshot) at a time.
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