“But what will I wear?”
The biggest most important question that we face when taking photos is “what should we wear?” Your outfit and the location chosen will greatly impact the way that your photos look! As a photographer with a bachelors degree in fashion design I’m here to help you answer that question.
I personally don’t like lengthy blog posts to i’ll keep this simple and sweet with a bullet point list that’s easy to follow.
Whenever i’m advising a client on outfit for family photos, engagement/couple session, newborn outfits, etc. I always tell them the same 5 things:
(photo of a simple color pallet from Pinterest)
Pick a 3-4 color scheme
Art is all about thirds, and I feel like the simpler the better. If you limit the colors in your palette to 3 or 4 you’re bound to be set for success with beautiful photos that look stylish, and cohesive. I’m all for including bright colors when indoors but if you’re shooting outdoors where there are already a lot of colors competing try to keep your color selection to mostly neutral with 1 or 2 of the colors being brighter. I’d like to add in here to also not match the background…. (if you’re shooting in a green field then don’t wear green).
Some good examples of classic color palettes are:
black, white, tan/brown
blue brown/tan, white
green, brown/tan, white
black, white, green
maroon, brown/tan, white
rust orange, brown/tan, white
I’m assuming you see the pattern here. 2 neutrals paired with a brighter color.
When selecting a more colorful palette it’s a good idea to select 2 colors that are close to complimentary. For example navy blue and rust orange look really good together, as do mustard yellow, and plum/eggplant purple. Pair either of those combinations with a evergreen or sage and you’ve got yourself a winning palette that is sure to look stunning in photos!
No logos, No graphics. Just don’t do it.
This is one rule that i’m fairly strict on with my own family photos. Logos and graphics do not stand the test of time well, its the thing thats going to make you’re photos look unprofessional the fastest. Unless you are doing branding for a specific clothing company, or if these are professional headshots for work, you should not have a logo or graphic of any kind on your clothing for a photoshoot.
While we (photographers) are totally able to edit out a logo or graphic on someone shirt does not mean that it will be fast, or even easy. Not to mention most photographers have a clause in the contract stating that they won’t edit out anything that was within the clients control (ie. makeup, clothing color, weight, glasses, etc.) It takes too much editing time when a simple switch of t-shirt was all that was needed.
3. Stick to Solids
If you are taking photos outdoors where there is a lot of visual detail in trees, mountains, etc. it is often a good idea to stick to either solid color clothing or very simple patterns. Some examples are small stripes, polka dots or small florals, plaid, or gingham. If you happen to be shooting in a studio there is room for personal digression on this as the walls are usually plain and solid. However you don’t want your clothing to be so distracting that it draws the attention away from your face.
This family photo is a good example of a simple neutral color scheme with patterns and textures to add variety
4. Texture & Variety
This is more important when taking photos in groups of 2 or more. When I choose outfits for our little family of 4 I always aim to add in some texture to everyones outfits in the form of a small pattern, a sweater instead of a t-shirt, or a top that has bows or buttons for a front closure. Dresses are often a popular choice not only because they look nicer than pants, but also because they add variety in the shape of the clothing as well. Layering and adding accessories can also help with this. A good outfit has at least one texture/pattern, and 4-5 pieces. I know that sounds like a lot but if you have sandals, wide leg jeans, a stripe shirt, a cardigan, and a necklace then that’s 4-5 pieces right there. Another example would be boots, wide pants with cargo pockets, a t-shirt, a plaid shirt, and a beanie. Dresses are where it gets difficult to add in extra items, however a dress paired with 2-3 layering necklaces, a cardigan, any type of shoe, and a hair accessory like a clip, or a bow looks very put together.
Just remember if you’re adding texture or patterns in for a family or group to give everyone a different texture. Unless you’re going for the awkward family photos look its best to avoid having everyone wear plaid shirts and jeans.
5. Wear what feels comfortable for you
The last and probably most important rule is to wear something that you normally would feel comfortable in. If you feel totally out of place in a dress then by all means wear pants and a cute top with a jacket! If you really hate to wear a tie and button up shirt then opt for a henley (that shirt that’s kind of like a t-shirt but its got 3 buttons on the front) or maybe a short sleeve shirt with a polo look, or mandarin collar instead.
If all else fails and you really feel like you’re struggling to find outfits that look good together or on their own you always have two failsafes. You can totally ask your photographer! They take photos of people all the time, they will know what will look good with the location you’re shooting at. And the second one is of course Pinterest or Google! It’s totally ok to search “fall family outfits’ and just copy what other people have done. Because even if you copy someones outfits exactly the photos you
