WHAT TO WEAR GUIDE
Let’s talk about fashion.
I know it can feel kind of overwhelming to pick what to wear for photos. Here are a few guidelines I’ve put together so you guys can feel your best while still making sure the images are focused on your guys’ love, not what you’re wearing. These are only guidelines, not rules! You can show up in your favorite halloween costume for all I care.
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The most important thing to me is that you guys look like yourselves and feel fantastic. I want you to dress how you normally dress, and be as comfortable as possible! Some people go shopping for new clothes for the shoot beforehand but I actually recommend not going that route. Bring stuff that’s already in your closet that you normally wear, that you love and feel yourselves in. Your favorite band t shirt and ripped jeans? Perfect. A cute sundress and flop hat? I love it. As long as you feel like how you guys represent yourselves right now, thats all that matters.
Feeling lost about where to begin? Here are a few guidelines to help.
FOR OUTDOORSY SESSIONS
I always recommend to bring several options. For better results, I’ll help pick and pull from the options you bring. This way I can make sure the outfits compliment the environment so that the focus is on the two of you. All you have to do is make sure you bring stuff that you feel like a million bucks in that we can pick and pull from!
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FOR CITY/URBAN SESSIONS
I would recommend having one main outfit, and bring along a a jean jacket or leather jacket, or even your favorite flannel for a more relaxed feel. Scarves and pea coats are always great for a fall/winter sessions as well.
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Try not to bring your whole closet though. The less time for me to go through everything and means more time for your session. People usually bring about 2 or 3 pairs of bottoms and 4 or 5 tops each, then you can bring dresses, accessories, and jackets as well. Also, just know that depending on where we are shooting, keep in mind that you’ll most likely be changing in the back of the car on the side of the road. If you’re not into that, that’s totally fine and you can just bring one outfit! Just text me a few photos of the outfit options you have and we can pick it out together beforehand if needed.
Make sure it makes sense.
It’s a good idea to think and plan around the conditions and locations we are going to be shooting in. If we are going to be hiking around the mountains, be sure to bring good shoes to avoid injuries. We can always switch out to your preferred shoes once we are at the location(s). If we are shooting on a sandy beach, most people decide not to wear shoes. If you decide to wear heels, I would bring a backup pair of booties or shoes that are easy to walk in between locations with. If it’s freezing cold outside, bring lots of layers and warm clothes and boots. I always bring an IKEA bag to put your coats in while shooting. If it’s going to be hot, bring clothes that can breathe more and try to avoid anything that might give you sweaty pit stains in the photos. Ultimately, I want you to feel your best and be as comfortable as you can be!
Patterns
Try to avoid loud, big, chunky, crazy patterns. The smaller or more subtle patterns like one in this photo, the better! If the pattern is too loud and big, it will take away from your faces. Flannels are always a go in my book. Try to avoid pairing too many patterns together because, you guessed it, it makes the photos feel a little chaotic and will be distracting from your faces and the location. Also, be sure to iron out any wrinkles in your clothes beforehand!
Props
When I think “props”, I try to avoid all of the cringe-worthy Pinterest photos I’ve seen of chalkboards and hobby lobby props brought to shoots. However, props don’t have to be cheesy! Props could be a champagne bottle to spray, a picnic, a motorcycle, your pets, blankets, a truck/car, a campfire, a bouquet, a canoe or kayak for water shots, etc. If you have props you would like to incorporate, let me know and we can make sure to make room for them, in a non-cheesy way!
Hair + Makeup
When people ask me whether or not they should get your hair and makeup done by a pro, I always say “do whatever will make you feel your best!” It’s not necessary though. Prefer to keep it minimal and down to earth? Great! Want to glam up for the shoot? Go for it! I would just make sure you love what your hair and make-up artists style is, and that it makes you feel like you. The most important thing is that you feel confident and like a million bucks. If you’re getting hair and makeup done, I recommend you schedule to be done at least an hour before you have to leave for the shoot so you aren’t late. Also, if you are planning on getting a spray tan, be sure to get a more natural airbrushed spray tan rather than one from a salon/tanning place.
I hope this guide has been helpful!
If you have anymore questions, don’t hesitate to ask! If you’re still not sure about what to wear feel free to shoot me a pic or two of what you’re thinking, or we can create a little Pinterest board together! But overall, just wear what feels like you and that you’re comfortable in. Best advice? You do you, and the photos will turn out amazing.