Tips on Dressing
- IRON/STEAM and lint roll your clothes. Even if you think they don't need it. The camera picks up every wrinkle, pet hair, and piece of fuzz.
- Think about the OVERALL AESTHESTIC you want your photos to have; dark & moody? bright & airy? Your clothing should complement the aesthetic you're aiming for.
- Start by picking the outfit that is going to be the MOST DIFFICULT/particular, then build the rest off of that one.
- Everybody wearing the EXACT SAME THING can be distracting. It doesn't look natural, and an observer focuses on the fact that everyone is dressed the same. It takes more effort for the observer to distinguish who's who in each photo.
- Make sure you (everyone) are CONFIDENT in what they're wearing. If someone doesn't like what they're wearing or is not comfortable, you will see their lack of confidence in the photos.
- DRAMATIC or out-there outfits, things you wouldn't wear on a regular day, make photos more interesting. *As long as the person is confident in what they're wearing.
- Clothing with MOVEMENT makes for great photos, i.e. long, flowy sleeves; full, flowy dresses/skirts; scarves; etc.
Solids & Colors
- SOLID COLORS aren't as distracting as prints and have less chance of looking dated.
- Choosing something with TEXTURE, such as lace, fringe, linen, tulle, etc, and/or layering pieces are great ways to add interest.
- LOW CONTRAST... Black and other dark, earthy, or jewel tones together. Whites, light neutrals & pastels together.
- Do not try to match colors exactly; go for coordinating & complementary colors.
Prints
- Be very mindful when choosing a print, as they tend to look dated much sooner than you'd like.
- Safer bets are going to be classic, timeless prints, such as plaid, small florals, or leopard. (Be careful with plaid that you do not choose high-contrast colors.)
- A large print can easily be distracting or overpowering, but if you must, aim for low-contrast colors.
- Be very cautious with stripes! They tend to be high-contrast colors, and thin stripes can be dizzying.
- If you have multiple prints in the same shoot, make sure they are complementary and not competing against each other. The safer route is to have only one print in the shoot.
Accessories
- Don't forget about SHOES! They can make or break a look, so at a minimum, make sure they are clean, in decent condition, and blend with the outfit.
- Photoshoots are a great time to wear a piece of jewelry that has MEANING to you. That doesn't mean wear ALL the jewelry! Try to keep it simple.
- Hats (again, good condition and complementary to the outfit) are a great way to add interest and use as a prop.
Final Thoughts
- There are always exceptions! These are not hard and fast rules. (Except ironing - always iron/steam!)
- If you feel lost or need ideas, I would love to help you! Just let me know!
- Ultimately, YOU must be happy with your photos, so choose what YOU like.