I think the number one thing people stress over when it comes to planning photo sessions is “What the heck do I wear?!” So, today I’m going to make it easier for you. I’m providing three of my best tips for planning your outfits! I could go on and on about all the things you can think about and ways to get killer outfits. Instead I’ll start with the basics today. All of my families and couples that have sessions with me get a super detailed 7 page guide allllll about planning outfits. I’m all about making things stress free and as simple as possible!
Between the several times I’ve had my own photos taken, and the hundreds of families + couples I’ve photographed in my ten years of business – I’ve learned a thing or two about planning your outfits!
Okay, here we go!
Tip #1: Stay true to who you are.
This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s definitely worth talking about. It’s so easy to get swept up in what is trendy at the moment, or what you see other people wearing in their family photos. But it’s really important to stick to what is true to you as a couple or a family. If you’re not into dresses, don’t wear one! Let’s say you LOVE getting dressed to the nines, then go for it! Does wearing bright colors makes you happy? Then do it! If you prefer more neutral tones, that’s great! There’s no right or wrong here. But it’s something to really keep in mind because if you aren’t staying true to what you love, then you’re probably not going to like how you look in your photos. No bueno.
Tip #2: Determine your location.
You need to determine your location for your photo session before you plan your outfits. If you’re having photos taken with lots of greenery or flowers, you’re going to choose a different vibe for your outfits than if you were having photos done on the beach. It just feels different and has a much different location. You know what they say about location – it matters!
Tip #3: Find something you already love.
This is my favorite way to plan outfits for photo sessions. Either I pick something from my closet that I love, or I let my daughter pick her favorite outfit. Then I coordinate the rest of the outfits based on that first piece! It’s so much easier to start with something you absolutely love wearing, and then build the rest of the outfits around that. You don’t have to go out and buy new outfits every time. I bet there are a lot of great pieces you already own that you love! And they’d be true to who you are!
Bonus tips:
- Make sure it FITS. There’s nothing worse than wearing clothes in photos that don’t fit well. If your clothes are not comfortable, it’s absolutely going to come through in your photos!
- Mix and match with patterns and solids. Patterns should be in the minority out of all the outfits for everyone involved!
I hope that these three tips can be helpful to you as you start planning your outfits for your next photo session! If you’d like more examples, you can check out these blog posts >>HERE<< and my outfit inspiration board >>HERE<<!
Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.
Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.
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