Photo Session Outfits: How They Can Make or Break Your Portraits
Photo Session Outfits: How They Can Make or Break Your Portraits
Planning outfits for a photo session, whether it’s family photography, maternity photography, or other types of portraits, is an important part of preparing for your session. While some of my fashion-minded clients love the opportunity to go shopping and other clients feel intimidated by styling. That’s why I offer personal styling services in which I visit you for an in-home consultation and actually help you choose the outfits for your family’s session.
This isn’t a service many photographers offer, so why do I include it in my packages? Because I know that outfit planning can be stressful and because your outfits make a powerful difference in your photos in several ways.
Creating the Color Scheme for Your Portraits
Most people book a portrait session with the intention of using their portraits as one-of-a-kind wall art. When that’s your goal, you want to think about your portraits not just from the perspective of sentimental and special family photos but from a decor perspective too. What colors will look best in the room where you want to hang your portrait? Your outfit choices will play into the colors and overall look of your photos.
Complementing Your Look
We all want to look fabulous in pictures and especially in professional portraits. Your wardrobe choice is one of the top factors in how you look in your portraits. You want pieces that fit properly and have a flattering shape as well as colors that complement your skin color, hair color, and eye color. Here’s a secret too: when you feel great in your clothes, you look even better because you carry yourself with confidence and authenticity.
Creating a Well-Coordinated Look
In the case of family photos or any portraits that feature multiple people, it’s important to choose outfits that complement each other. You want your portraits to show the joy and closeness between you and your family. Choosing outfits with coordinated colors and outfits that align with the same general style (like summery or rustic or chic or beachy) gives your portraits a cohesive, curated look. This doesn’t mean everyone needs to wear matching clothing!
Maintaining Comfort
Take it from a photographer who has been creating family portraits for years: the #1 thing that makes portraits look better is happiness. When your family is enjoying your time together in front of the camera, you glow! Little discomforts like uncomfortable clothes make this much harder. When you’re planning your portrait wardrobe, think about items that are reasonably comfortable and are weather-appropriate so you and your family can truly enjoy yourselves. #1 reason for sessions be derailed is cold kids! Please be sure to dress them appropriately for the time of year.
The Top Trick: Taking Advantage of Your Photographer’s Resources
All the tips above will help you plan outfits for your photo session, but the top tip to follow above all is to make use of your photographer’s expertise. Not only do I have years of experience in styling families and in knowing what will look best on camera but I invest the time in personally coming to your home to style you and your family.
Want a photographer who will connect with you personally and help you with wardrobe planning for your photography session? I’m here to help! Contact Jaimié Birtel Photography for your next Seattle-area photo session.
