Outfit Inspiration
need some inspo on what to where? Here are some fun options.
Download our outfit guide here
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Complimentary, good! Matching, bad.
You don’t want to create the illusion of being your partner’s siamese twin. When multiple people wear the same colour, sometimes their matching outfits blend together so much that you can’t really see any of them properly. The viewer can’t tell where one person begins and another one ends. They turn into one uniform blob.
In order for the aesthetics of your photograph to really sing, you want to find complementary outfits that showcase a variety of colors, textures, accessories, patterns, and tones. Complement the other people in the photograph as well as your surroundings. The idea is to have everything look good together without everything looking the same.
outfit tips & examples
be careful with pattern & prints.
Avoid large bold patterns as they often dominate the photograph and detract attention from your beautiful face.
Usually, subtle smaller patterns work best. Flannels or a light floral print are great when they complement the location. But less is definitely more with this one, try to limit yourself to one pattern at a time. Matching patterns is a tricky task, and it’s super difficult to do well.
If you’re not quite sure what category your patterned clothes fall into, shoot me an email or send me a text and I’ll be happy to weigh in.
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What to do about logos.
Much like crazy patterns, clothing with writing or logos on it tends to be a bit distracting. We’re not getting paid for Adidas’ not-so-subtle product placement. However, if the logo or phrase is tasteful (read: not tacky), in theme with the shoot, and fits your personality, I’m all for it.
layer up!
Wearing layers is great form (and function). Not only does combining layers and textures create more visually interesting photographs, but it preps you for all sorts of weather conditions, too!
Think jackets, cardigans, hats, scarves, tights, and headbands.
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Hair & Makeup
So this is totally your call! But, if I may… I would suggest cultivating a bit of the French je ne sais quoi that balances elegance and ease so well. I want you to look like you. So do whatever you need to do to feel confident and beautiful. With your hair down, you get movement, you get interest, you get some perfect slices of imperfection in the best possible way.
Hands tell such a story about who you are and where you’ve been and play a crucial role in portrait photography. Sometimes photographs magnify bright nail polish, chipped manicures, and dirty fingernails. And once you see it, you can’t un-see it--your eye just keeps on zooming in on that one bit of the photograph. It’s really distracting. Treat yourself to a little subtle manicure or make sure your nails are neat and tidy before the shoot.
Shoes & Accessories
Shoes are a key part of a look and ideally complement the rest of the outfit.Select the right shoes based on the location, and consider what you’d normally wear if I wasn’t following you around with a camera. Being barefoot makes sense on the beach, and boots are beautiful in the mountains.
If you wear heels like a pro, I definitely don’t have the authority to tell you not to do that! But if you, like the rest of us mere mortals, find heels to be moderately uncomfortable, then do yourself a favour and ditch ‘em. In most cases, we’ll be stomping around on some relatively uneven terrain and I don’t want you spraining an ankle--not on my watch. I’ll probably be giving you some energetic prompts to follow, too, so you’ll want to be ready for action.
Hats, sunglasses, socks, and jackets are a great way to jazz up your accessory game. Throw some fun extras into your bag but avoid large distracting pieces. If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m interested in shooting you (not your clothes or your bling).
We will send you a "What to Wear Guide" via email. You really can’t go wrong with neutrals. For one of your outfits, maybe go with a casual look and for the second, you could choose a dressy look. Be intentional when selecting colors and patterns. Take into consideration the location(s) you’re shooting at. If you’re stumped on what to wear, check out my Pinterest of outfit inspo!
Outfit Inspo: Couples
Outfit Inspo
Outfit Inspo: Branding
Outfit Inspo: Families
Outfit Inspo: Maternity
do's and don'ts for picking your outfits
BOLD PATTERNS & logos
BRIGHT OR NEON COLORS
FORGET THE JACKET
Tips
don'ts
ACCENT WITH ACCESSORIES
WHEN IN DOUBT, GO NEUTRAL
dress for the SEASON/location
do's