What to Wear Guide
Firstly, i’m so excited for your photo session and I feel so honoured to be able to create some beautiful photographic memories that you’ll be able to hold close to your heart, forever! (Keep reading to the bottom for dress stores I highly recommend!)
Now, i’ll be completely honest.. Good styling matters. It’s a really important part of planning your session and is a big factor in how your images will ultimately end up looking. Good styling not only leaves you looking and feeling amazing but it adds extra energy to your photographs too.
Texture, detail, layering and complimentary colours all come together to make a sweet moment look even more beautiful.
So while you should absolutely feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, it shouldn’t be things that you would necessarily wear everyday. The same way that you would dress up to go to a wedding or a special event, you should dress up for your photos too!
Now i’m sure there is all sorts of panic running through your head, but I don’t want you to stress! I’ve put together this guide with a lot of helpful tips to help you with your planning. But if you’re still unsure about anything, or if you’re out shopping and can’t decide, please feel free to message me some photos of any outfits you’re considering and I can help to guide you in the right direction! From time to time, I will also share some outfit inspiration and gorgeous outfits i’ve found on my Instagram stories as well as in the highlights section! Click here to follow me and have a look. While some outfits may not be available due to different seasons, etc, it’ll definitely help to give you some inspiration!
Your only other job is to be yourself and don’t be afraid to laugh a lot and have fun! I won’t even make you look at the camera that much because I love photographing the more candid and natural moments.
COLOURS & patterns
It's important to choose coordinating colours for your outfits. Consider your location choice, your home decor and where you may display your images. Do you want soft, neutral colours or something a little bolder?
As you're coordinating your outfits, keep in mind that you will all look the most cohesive when the colour palettes coordinate but don't necessarily match. You should aim to wear a different dominant colour, while staying within a similar colour palette. I usually recommend choosing the girls’ outfits first and then putting together the other outfits based on that.
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones. Neutrals doesn’t mean just greys and browns, there’s neutrals of every colour (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc). Just stay away from bright shades like bright pink, bright orange and bright red.
To give you some ideas on colour palettes, i’ve created a few examples for you below! If you have a statement piece of clothing already that you would like to incorporate, let me know and I can create a custom palette for you.
Textures, Detail & Layering
Make sure that the materials you wear will keep you comfortable during the shoot, not only for the temperature but also for being able to move around freely in. A fitted dress, worrying about cleavage/bra straps or tight jeans could cause you to become too distracted and take away from the candidness of the photo.
Layering your outfits will always be a big yes in my book. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy or overboard, but adding a jacket to your outfit is not only a great way to layer, it keeps you warm in the cooler months and is a great cover up for arms if they are something that concerns you. Adding a cute cardigan on the kids is easy to do too!
A big tip is to avoid big, loud patterns. The smaller or more subtle, the better! If the pattern is too loud, it will distract from your faces. The same goes for logos, please please please avoid any logos, no matter how small they are!
Now, while you do want to add in different textures to your outfits, do avoid pairing too many patterns together because, you guessed it, it makes the photos feel a little hectic and distracting from your faces and the location. Also, be sure to iron your clothes before so there’s no big, distracting wrinkles.
Movement is a big winner for me too. I love when people bring clothing (think long, flowey dresses) or accessories that can show movement by catching wind, because it adds energy to the photos and looks freaking gorgeous!
Shoes Matter Too
Shoes are often a last thought but they are super important too! You can have the most amazing outfit but if it’s paired with the wrong shoes, it will bring the whole thing down.
My biggest advice here is to just avoid thongs!
For women and young girls I recommend a pretty pair of sandals and for the men and boys I recommend a nice pair of closed in shoes (a black pair of vans are great, or similar for young boys).
Accessories
This tip follows on from what I mentioned about layering above. Hats, scarves, jewellery, etc is a great way to add extra style and layers to your outfits!
I do recommend to avoid wearing watches though, as they tend to distract from your faces when i’m getting the close up shots.
HAIR & MAKEUP
While it isn’t a necessity, professional hair and makeup is definitely something that I do consider to be hugely important!
A camera takes away about 30% of the makeup you’d generally be wearing which can sometimes leave you looking a little flat, however a professional makeup artist will be able to compensate for this and will have you looking and feeling photo ready. Good hair and makeup will also make you feel much more confident with being in front of the camera (not to mention it looks excellent for those close up photos).
Hair styling doesn’t need to be anything extravagant, in fact I highly recommend curling your hair for the best results. Curling makes everything look amazing! Wind is something we can’t control while on location and straight hair or un-styled hair can end up looking very flat and messy, whereas professionally curled hair will hold really well and also looks great in the wind.
It’s also great to take advantage of being dolled up and treat yourselves to a nice dinner or date night afterwards!
Newborn
Firstly, bare in mind that the studio is kept quite warm to ensure baby is comfortable.
For parents and siblings, I recommend neutral and earthy tones like cream, burnt orange, olive, mustard, tan and beige. I do suggest avoiding black as it can cast some darker shadows on bubs face. Please also avoid any harsh patterns and logos.
MATERNITY
This one is for you Mumma!
I know being pregnant, it can be hard finding clothes that fit just right, which is why I always recommend a long, flowey dress. Something that comes in under the bust and flows over your belly and to the floor is always beautiful and flattering to any figure.
If you’re opting for a figure hugging dress, bear in mind the underwear you wear so that it flows nicely over your hips.
Please don’t hesitate to ask me for any recommendations or outfit inspiration!
Extra tips for her
Long, flowey dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Cute, shorter-length, flowey dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look the most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body. If you're aiming for more of a natural, boho look for your photos (which I love), I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two!
In my experience, every woman, regardless of her shape has an area of her body that she’s self conscious about, so recognising what area that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colours that compliment your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos. Personally, I don’t love my thighs or knees, so choosing a maxi dress over a knee length dress works great, especially for sitting photos.
Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so I recommend avoiding those where possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.
When it comes to shoes, what you choose will depend on your chosen location. If you've decided on a beach location then shoes aren't necessary but if you've chosen a grassy field (or similar) then pretty, flat sandals always look great! If you've decided on a location with flat ground, like a road or city location then heels or boots are great.
As women, we usually always love a bit of colour in our skin however I highly recommend that you avoid a spray tan before your session as it tends to photograph orange even when it's applied subtly and by a professional. Your images will be retouched with warmer tones which will add some depth and colour to your skin, so your actual skin tone will photograph the most beautifully and naturally.
EXTRA tips for HIM
If you're after a natural or boho theme for your photos, long denim or black jeans, or chinos look great for the guys teamed with either a button up, pullover or nice polo shirt. However, if you're after something a bit more dressy, you can't go wrong with black or grey dress pants or a casual suit.
If your mans up for a little extra styling then have a look at adding a complimentary blazer, jacket or sweater; depending on the weather.
The shoes he wears will depend on the outfit and location but for the most part, you can't go wrong with a nice pair of all black Vans or some dressy-casual shoes that compliment his outfit (but like I said above, avoid wearing a pair of thongs or old, daggy runners).
If you've chosen a beach location then shoes won't be necessary.
EXTRA tips for the kids
Choosing outfits for the kids doesn't have to be over whelming, in fact the basics of their outfits can mimic their parents.
For girls, I recommend a pretty, flowy dress in a coordinating colour. If your session will be in the cooler months you can can add in layering pieces like cute footed tights, a denim jacket or a cardigan.
For boys, you can't go wrong with jeans, chinos or shorts (depending on the weather) and a cute button up shirt. And same as the girls, if your session will be in the cooler months you can definitely add in a jacket or cardigan too.
For the shoes, ballet flats or a nice pair of sandals look super cute for girls and a nice pair of coordinating, closed in shoes for the boys.
For young babies/newborns, you want to keep it simple! Putting bub in an outfit that is a litter big for them can be a bit over whelming and almost "swallow them up." A nice neutral onesie and leggings or a thin cotton dress (with footed tights and a skivvy for winter) looks super cute!
Do’s & Dont’s
- Do choose a complimentary colour palette
- Do choose pieces with movement
- Do keep nails clean (and nail polish neutral)
- Do bring hair ties and clips for kids and long hair (but avoid putting hair ties on your wrist)
- Don't wear harsh patterns
- Don't wear logos
- Don't be matchy matchy
- Don't put young babies and newborns in overwhelming outfits
what you need to do at your photo session
During your photo session, I will absolutely help guide you into poses. My only expectation for you is that you come open to ideas, and are ready to have fun, laugh, and snuggle in front of my camera! While I will give you direction throughout the session, I like to let you fall into a version of the pose that is comfortable for you! There will also be plenty of times when I will let you do your thing, and capture your natural interactions. I may ask you to move, walk, and fake laugh- which coincidently always results in real laughter!
Stores I love
WOMENS:
Baby Lemonade
Highly recommended. They also have a store in Chermside.
www.babylemonadestore.com.au
Coven & Co
www.covenandco.com
Tree of Life
Check the website for 10% off your first purchase
www.treeoflife.com.au
Maive & Bo
www.maiveandbo.com.au
Show Po
www.showpo.com
Orange Sherbet
www.orangesherbet.com.au
KIDS:
Arabella & Rose
www.arabellaandrose.com.au
Dollcake
www.dollcake.com.au