an important point

It’s worth noting that all below points are moot if the outfit you’re wearing doesn’t make you feel awesome. That said, here’s a few pointers for what you should be thinking about.

neutrals

Neutrals (whites, off whites, tones of brown, beige or grey) are generally a great idea and will work almost anywhere. But what if you want to show off a little more of that charming personality via clothing? Pick your outfits with the pointers below. 

think about the location

Think about the setting you want your shoot to take place in. Is it a place with lots of greenery like Butler Park? Is it a browny/yellow field like Circle C? Are there lots of grey rocks like in McKinney Falls? Once you know where your shoot will take place, think about what color contrasts with the environment  so you won’t blend in, for example: 

• At Butler Park, you might want to wear an orange, red or pink outfit to contrast with the greenery.

• At Circle C, a blue would stand out from among the yellowish grass field.

• At McKinney falls, we have our pick of the litter given that the backdrop is a neutral (tones of grey): yay! This is a great location to show off a colorful outfit: blues, reds, greens, yellow; almost anything goes.

think about texture

Texture refers to the material/cut of your clothing and will influence the mood of the shoot. Think about what vibe you’re looking to convey, is it a professional look? You could consider crisp cotton and tailored clothing. Down to earth? Linen, natural fabrics and loose fits are your friends. A boho vibe? Lace and drapey fabric are key. Glamour and drama? Look into satin and floor length dresses. 

It’s always best to start with what calls to us. How do you typically dress when you go out? What type of mood are you drawn to most? 

for couples

For a couple’s photoshoot, we want people to look at you and know that you go together. You don’t need to be matchy-matchy (unless that’s your thing!) Think siblings, not twins (sorry, bad example). 

Look to compliment each other in your outfits with color; you might match the color of an accessory (headband, scarf, shoes, etc) to his shirt, for example.

Most importantly, make sure your outfits make sense together; let’s avoid having one of you show up in a gown and the other in basketball shorts. It’s better if both of you show up in sneakers and ready to shoot some hoops ;)

last pointers

Don’t feel like your whole outfit needs to contrast with your setting; sometimes a pop of color (preferably on top) is all you need to stand out.

A Pinterest board will be super helpful when trying to decide on what you should wear; look for similar settings and vibes and note what the people are wearing.

Since an outfit is an essential component of the final portrait, I make sure to spend some time going over outfit choices with my clients before the shoot. If you are looking to bounce ideas for dress options, or are just completely lost, I am more than happy to talk it through with you!

Also note that for all my portrait sessions you can wear at least two outfits; options are your friends, bring them with you to the shoot!

Happy styling!