What to Wear for a summer portrait session
WHAT TO WEAR FOR A SUMMER PORTRAIT SESSION
Summertime can put anyone in a good mood - sunshine, fun events and festivals on the calendar, days spent on the beach or beside the pool. This season when joy is everywhere and the kids have time off from school can be the perfect time for family photography.
Plan Your Summer Photo Shoot Wardrobe
Before any family photo session, you have to figure out what to wear. There’s plenty of general style advice I give my clients, like choosing a color palette to coordinate the family’s outfits, avoiding clothing with writing or large logos, and wearing what makes you feel comfortable. So, what should you wear for a summer photo session? Here are my favorite items for summer family photos.
Lightweight, Flowy Fabrics
For a summer photo shoot, flowy and lightweight items are perfect. Not only will they feel cool and comfortable but they’ll look seasonally appropriate so you can capture that true summery aesthetic. They also look stunning when the breeze catches them. There’s a strong trend this season toward mid-calf peasant dresses for women and girls, and as a photographer, I’m loving this trend and how fantastic it looks on camera.
Neutral or Muted Colors
Choosing colors for your photo shoot outfits can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be overly complicated. For summertime, I suggest muted or neutral colors - white, tan, gray, blush pink, sage green, and so on. These colors create a lovely, whimsical look in photos, especially against the bold colors of nature and the warm summer sunlight.
There aren’t any hard “off-limits” colors, but it’s generally best to avoid or minimize black clothes or items that have overly bright, bold colors. These pieces can clash with the summer landscape in the background or create too much contrast.
Varied Textures
Textures in your wardrobe do an excellent job of adding some visual interest to your portraits and creating a look that is balanced without being too uniform. While it’s usually too warm in the summer to use layers for this, you can choose fabrics that have some texture to them instead. Wardrobe items with fringes, lace, or tulle, for example, can stay within your color palette but add just enough texture to introduce more style to your portraits. You can also do this with jewelry or other accessories that stand out, like a hat.
Layers for Backup
As I mentioned, it’s usually too warm to wear layers in your photo shoot, but it’s important to be prepared regardless. You never know when we’ll have a chilly day and you’ll be uncomfortable with the outfits you picked out. You don’t want to be scrambling for solutions at the last minute, so when you’re planning your outfits, find a layer to add to them just in case you need it, like a light jacket or a shawl or wrap.
The tips above can help you put together a beautiful wardrobe for your next summer photo session, but you might not need them. As a Seattle based full-service photographer, I’ll gladly help you with every stage of your photo session, including helping you plan outfits. Treat yourself to a luxury portrait experience with Jaimie Birtel Photography.
