Style Guide
FAQ: What to Wear for Your Photo Session
Your wardrobe choices play a big role in how your photos turn out. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you look and feel your best during your session.
FAQ
Should I avoid busy patterns?
Yes, it’s generally a good idea to steer clear of busy patterns. While some patterns can add personality, overly busy designs can draw attention away from your face and disrupt the overall harmony of the photo. If you love patterns, consider subtle ones with muted tones or keep them limited to accessories.
Can I wear glasses?
Absolutely! Glasses are a part of who you are. However, they can sometimes cause glare or reflections in photos. To avoid this, consider bringing glasses with non-reflective lenses or asking your optometrist for a temporary pair without lenses. Transitions lenses, which darken in sunlight and look like sunglasses, should be avoided for photo sessions, especially outdoors, as they will obscure your eyes and detract from the final images. If you regularly wear Transitions lenses, please plan to leave them at home or bring an alternative pair of glasses without the darkening feature. Please note that if you wear Transitions lenses, an additional editing fee will be added at $50 per image.
Shoes, Jewelry, and Accessories Guide
Shoes:
Choose shoes that match the tone of your outfit and the setting of the shoot. For example, neutral or muted tones work well for most sessions.
Avoid bright, reflective, or overly casual options like sneakers unless they fit the theme.
Consider comfort—you may be walking or standing for extended periods.
Bring an extra pair of clean shoes if your session involves walking outdoors to keep things polished.
Jewelry:
Opt for subtle, timeless pieces that enhance your outfit without overpowering it.
Avoid overly large or flashy jewelry unless it’s part of the theme.
Be mindful of noisy pieces like bangles, which can be distracting during movement.
Accessories:
Scarves, hats, and belts can add a personal touch but should coordinate with your overall look.
Avoid accessories that could detract from your face or create shadows in the photos.
Keep things minimal to ensure the focus remains on you.
Phones, Watches, and Hair Ties:
Phones: Keep phones out of pockets or hands during the session to avoid unsightly bulges or distractions in photos.
Watches: Unless they are an intentional part of your outfit, consider removing watches to maintain a timeless look.
Hair Ties: Avoid wearing hair ties on your wrist, as they can appear in photos and distract from the overall image.
Editing Services
Every image receives professional editing to ensure you look your best. This includes:
Adjustments to lighting, color balance, and minor imperfections.
Enhancements to highlight your natural features while keeping the look authentic.
Rule of Thumb: If it’s something you can change about yourself in 3 days or less, I will edit or touch it up. For example, stray hairs or minor blemishes.
Natural Enhancements: I will do my best to enhance your natural features.
What I Will Not Edit: I will not edit body size, hair color, tattoos, or other permanent features.
Additional Editing Fees: If special editing requests are made, such as removing transitions lens effects, stray hair fixes, or altering clothing, a fee of $50 per image will apply. Please communicate any specific requests in advance to ensure clarity.
What about high-contrast colors?
High-contrast colors like black and white or bright, clashing hues can create a harsh look in photos. Instead, opt for softer, more neutral tones or complementary colors that flatter your skin tone. If you want to include bold colors, use them sparingly and balance them with neutral pieces.
Color Guide: What Colors Work Best?
Choosing the right colors can elevate your photos. Here’s a quick guide:
Soft Neutrals: Shades like beige, ivory, taupe, and soft grays create a timeless and elegant look.
Earth Tones: Colors like olive green, rust, mustard, and terracotta blend beautifully with outdoor settings.
Jewel Tones: Emerald, sapphire, ruby, and amethyst provide rich, vibrant pops of color.
Pastels: Soft pinks, blues, yellows, and lavender add a gentle, dreamy feel.
Avoid Neon and Overly Bright Colors: These can reflect harshly on your skin and dominate the photo.
Consider Skin Tone: Choose colors that complement your complexion. For example:
Fair skin: Warm earth tones or pastels.
Medium skin: Jewel tones or soft neutrals.
Darker skin: Bright colors, jewel tones, or light pastels.
Hair and Makeup Tips
Hair:
Ensure your hair is styled in a way that you feel confident and comfortable.
Avoid last-minute cuts or color changes to prevent unexpected results.
Bring a small brush or comb to touch up your hair during the session, especially if you’re outdoors.
For longer hair, consider loose waves or soft styles that frame your face beautifully.
Makeup:
Opt for natural, camera-friendly makeup that enhances your features without looking heavy.
Use matte products to avoid shine, and bring blotting papers or powder for touch-ups.
If using false lashes, ensure they are securely applied to prevent any issues during the session.
Lip color can make a big difference—bring your chosen shade to reapply as needed.
Any additional tips for wardrobe?
Coordinate, don’t match: If you’re taking group or family photos, aim for a cohesive color palette rather than identical outfits.
Comfort is key: Choose clothing that fits well and feels good. If you’re uncomfortable, it will show in the photos.
Consider the setting: Match your outfit to the location and theme of the shoot for a cohesive look.
Bring options: If you’re unsure, bring a few outfit choices. I’m happy to help you decide during the session.
Monochromatic
This can be a fun and stylish way to "match" with your family members. However, remember that the idea is for the colors to be similar, but not an exact match. Play around with the shade (dark and light) or vary between solids and patterns.
Be mindful of the surroundings in the location which you'll be taking photos. Is it outdoors? In nature or more of an urban setting? What is the season? Try to find a color that will complement the background.
Complementary
This is an especially great option for a group where everyone has different color preferences. Choose 2-3 colors that complement one another, using a color wheel. However, try to stay away from primary colors, and instead go for secondary or even tertiery colors.
For example, red and green are complementary, so you could go with a dark pink fuscia and light sage green. Another way to do this is to have one person wear a patter with several colors in it, and the rest of the group wear colors that pull from that pattern.
Neutrals
If you prefer a more muted look, playing around with neutrals is a great option. You can still achieve a beautiful cohesive look, without going outside of your comfort zone. The best way to use neutrals without being washed out is to go for varying shades to create some contrast.
White, beige, tan, and brown are all neutral, but when brought together, they will result in dimension and depth. Believe it or not, denim is also considered a neutral in the fashion world, so if you want to add a bit of color to your neutral palette, grab a pair of jeans. Jeans can be casual or dressed up, so they are a great and versatile option for any photo session.
Cohesive
This is similar to the "Complementary" color palette, except that the outfit pieces themselves are also similar in style, but not too "matchy-matchy".
With this option, you may all choose to wear accessories that fit the season and/or location, such as scarves or hats. Everyone can wear a variation of the same pattern, such as plaids or florals. You can also wear similar fabrics or textures.
Another way to achieve this is to pull from a color family. You may choose 3 or even 4 different colors, but they all work well together. This can be a mix of neutrals and colors, some bright and some more muted.
The idea here is that you all look like you "go together".
Contact me for free consultation.
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