This is probably the question I get asked more than any other question. And it’s sometimes really hard for me to answer! The first thing I tell people is, don’t wear the exact same thing as one another. I don’t usually like it when everyone wears jeans & a black shirt, for example. This is an outfit technique from the 90’s, and I’ve found it’s not only been overdone, but also makes everyone kinda just BLOB together in photos. I can only say this cuz I have made this mistake myself, in a shoot with my girlfriends… yikes. The other thing I warn against is clashing patterns– I don’t recommend one person wearing a floral print, one wearing polka dots, and another wearing plaid. Just doesn’t work out right, and makes the photo seem to busy. You don’t want people’s eyes to be distracted from what the photo is REALLY about, which 90% of the time isn’t what you’re wearing.
To give you some great photoshoot outfit ideas, I’ve highlighted some of my favorite client outfits from past sessions, and broken them down by session type. Hope this helps!
What to wear Engagement Photos:
I love how Brandi & Bobby coordinated colors. She liked blue, so she chose a solid blue dress for her with a blue plaid shirt for Bobby.
For their more casual photos, they highlighted black & grey with blue jeans. Looked great!
Jocelyn & Danny weren’t really planning on having their photos done on this day…but I just loved the way their outfits complimented each other so I forced them in front of the camera. Coral & light pink go great with a soft grey! Again, a solid is paired with a pattern.
Andrea & Josh chose to both wear solids for half of their session, but I love that they wore different colored pants. Adding a scarf with a print is a great way to spruce up a solid, like Andrea did.
For the second half of their session, Andrea & Josh chose to showcase their love for the SF Giants. I love when people do this! Adds so much fun & variety to the session. They wore different shirts (not both t-shirts or jerseys, for example) to break things up a bit, which I think is a great idea.
What to wear Family Photos:
Valerie and her family did a great job of matching colors–I love the guys’ bowties! I especially love that little Owen’s outfit is different–makes him stand out. (These were holiday photos, and red is a very popular color in the fall!)
Monica & her family did a great job of simply tying everyone together with a simple color–red. It’s in almost everyone’s outfit, no matter how subtle, which is a great way to make everything seem well coordinated. (Another holiday photo, when red is so popular!) 🙂
Brieanna told me she loves dressing the girls (especially Everly, the toddler) in “adult like clothes”–things she would consider wearing if they were in her size! I totally agree. It’s super cute, and the girls match well, as do mom & dad. Pinks & browns compliment each other nicely.
Here’s an example of varying patterns done RIGHT–all the guys are in plaid (the same TYPE of pattern) and the girls are in solids. Everyone is comfortable, cuz it’s who they are! That’s another key factor–don’t wear something that’s not YOU.
My stepbrother & his family did a great job coordinating browns and whites. In the fall, earthy tones look great (especially on grass).
Bre, Aaron & Brooks did a great job of, again, tying everyone in with one color (again, Red, before the holidays) and also helping little Brooks to stand out with his cute shirt. 😉
This family just AMAZED me. How is it even possible to coordinate outfits with 25+ people!? Since the photos were in the fall/winter, they wore what I like to call “Harvest Colors”. Things that really make you think fall–oranges, maroons, browns, boots, scarves, and sweaters. The guys almost ALL wore plaid and the girls all wore solids, once again keeping the same pattern in the same photo. Way to go guys, this was impressive!
What to wear Maternity Photos:
Even though Jessica & Ryan are technically wearing the same color, it works because their outfits are so different. I am always a fan of showing your belly if you’re comfortable!
Melissa & Justin both wore solids, and she threw in a patterned scarf to liven things up. It worked perfectly, as did their color choices with one another.
Scout and Curtis did a great job of “sticking with black” but still keeping things interesting. See how they both got to wear something dark, but aren’t too matchy/matchy? This is where a pattern or Grey color comes in handy.
Annii & Joel did AWESOME with ALL of their outfits from their maternity session. I especially love this one, because they’re both wearing plaid…but she is primarily wearing white. This really helps to break up the patterns when they are standing (or in this case, laying) right next to each other.
I love this photo, because it somewhat conflicts the advice I gave earlier, about different patterns. But it WORKS! Just goes to show you, you should just wear whatever makes you comfortable and shows off who you really are. Brenda is in a floral print, but it perfectly matches her husbands light/barely noticeable print as it’s in the same color family. Their son just looks ADORABLE, and his Tie is the perfect pattern added to the solids he’s wearing (see how it matches his laces?! ahh!)
What to wear Senior/SOLO Shoot:
I’m not going to give commentary for each photo here, cuz with seniors and other solo photos there’s typically only one person in the photo and no one else to coordinate with–so you can wear whatever you want! I always recommend outfit changes with high school seniors. Again, show who you are, and if you can, something about your high school or the college you’re going to (especially if you play sports). Here are some great examples:
