WHAT DO I WEAR TO MY SESSION?!

This is the top question I get after where should we go for our session. The stress and struggle of what to wear is very real for many people (myself included).

And while there are no strict rules, there are several things to think about in order to ensure that you look and feel your best on shoot day. I also strongly believe that if you feel good in what you are wearing your confidence will come through in the images.

STAY TRUE TO YOU. At the end of the day, it's all about capturing authentic photos of who you are, so the most important accessory is comfort. If you're comfortable, your confidence and beauty will shine through.

There’s no need to go shopping, but new clothes can sometimes bring that extra boost of confidence. If new clothes don’t fit your budget or you simply don’t want to buy something new, try shopping in a friend’s closet. Not only do you save money, but get some hang-time in with a friend.

First, THE SINGLE GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE I CAN GIVE IS…

Come to your session dressed in something that makes you feel great and don’t forget to bring a positive attitude. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND not wanting to be in front of the camera and feeling awkward and self-conscious. I feel exactly the same way.

BUT. And I’m gonna be blunt here. Coming to your session with a sour attitude about the experience is not going to help you.

Instead PLEASE TRUST ME and that I want you to look great, too.

With a few rare exceptions, I suggest avoiding the following for any session type.

No distracting graphics, loud prints, logos and writing (unless it’s for your business), which can be distracting and take focus away from the face.

Avoid ill-fitting or baggy clothing. Collared shirts that are too big for your neck or jackets that are too large or too small.  Things like that. Great fit is key!

A bulging thigh or tush isn’t a good look on anyone. Instead, I can hold your phone, keys, wallet, etc. in my camera bag.

Make sure all clothing has been cleaned, ironed, and lint-free. Make sure to try things on and give them the once over before your session.

Wrinkled shirts, missing buttons, covered in pet hair, and so forth show up on camera and can be difficult to edit out and there are no guarantees.

Try starting with colors that not only complement your skin tone, but also contrast a little with it. So, for example, if you have medium or dark skin tones, you might want to avoid any earthy colors that are too similar to your skin color. The same goes for avoiding lighter colors that are too similar to your skin tone, as they can wash you out. Consider colors that can help to bring out the colors in your eyes. For example, if you have blue eyes, you might consider a blue or grey shirt. Or, if you have green or brown eyes then earthy tones can be very complimentary.

This is key to taking cohesive group, family, or couple pictures. Instead of all wearing the same exact shade of one color, consider a complementary color palette.

You want colors and looks that work together and complement each other, but aren't exact copies. The first step is to start with one piece of clothing/outfit, pattern, or color that you love. Next, pick 3-5 colors in the same complementary color palettes and mix in neutrals like denim, khaki, white, or gray for a nice balance, and then finally, add some pops of color. With families, I suggest starting with mom (but your family may be different) and then build your family's wardrobe around that. We want each person to complement each other instead of matching. You can use the same principles for other types of group sessions as well.

If you’re nervous about wearing colors, I recommend sticking with neutral or earthy colors. Now, when I say neutrals, I don't just mean white, beige, and grey. Every color of the rainbow has a neutral tone or a muted version. Think deep blues, forest green, rust, mustard yellow, mauve, burnt orange, etc.

Add depth and dimension with textures and layering pieces to an otherwise simple solid look. For layers — think about scarves, hats, statement jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings), belts, headband, suspenders, bow ties, etc. And with textures — consider knit, fringe, lace, denim, velvet, linen, gauze, and leather.

Patterns can be tricky, but they don't need to be eliminated altogether. Simply use them thoughtfully and in moderation. Avoid wearing really busy, distracting patterns, as well as combining different patterns. Limit patterns to one person. In doubt? Lay everything out, snap a pic, and it to me.

You don't want to become part of your background. If we're in a field of flowers, maybe don't wear lots of floral. Headed to a tree-filled spot? Avoid wearing green. You should stand out, not blend in.

For most of y’all reading this — This is Texas and Texas gets hot. Breathable fabrics, shorts, flowy dresses are perfect for outdoor shoots on hot days. No one wants a sweaty face and pit stains. Naturally, the reverse is true for those few weeks a year when do have cold spells and dreary days. In order to stay comfy and warm, incorporating layers and cute coats is key. And don’t underestimate the power of a good pair of hidden long underwear or tights.

BUT wait, THERE’S More!

COLOR PALETTE INSPIRATION

A note about these color palettes… they are meant for inspiration. So, for example, if you only want to use 2 or 3 of the colors, go for it. Want to swap 1 or 2 for something else? Just do it! These color palettes are simply a starting point to get you inspired.

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NEUTRAL LOVE. Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring. Neutrals are great for those who like softer color palettes and less colorful looks. They can also add balance and harmony to your outfits. Shades of white, beige, camel, navy, gray, brown, and black can easily complement each other.  Add in a few pops of color (any bright, soft, or primary colors will work), plus some interesting textures, a few layers or patterns, unique designs, and/or decorative elements, and now you’ve taken your look from “Just fine” to “Hello, Gorgeous!” Don’t forget to be mindful of whether the cool or warm shades you’re working with are the same and are visually appealing.

MONOCHROMATIC. Try starting with 1-3 different shades of the same color with different levels of saturation and brightness in one outfit. Colors can be soft or bright, and adding various levels of contrast between the shades will either brighten or soften the look. Most colors will work well in a monochromatic look, but there are some exceptions. For example, because green has both cold and warm shades, some shades of green can be tricky. Try starting with only 2 shades of green in the same outfit and stick with either cool or warm shades.

CONTRASTING COLORS. Create a contrasting look using colors that will play off each other and create a more intense, powerful contrast/look. Some classic contrast combinations include shades of blue with orange, purple with yellow, and white with black.  Contrasting looks like this can be very bright, so try balancing your colors 70% / 30% — one color should be the main one and the other is complementary. 

SOFT COLOR COMBOS. You can create a soft-colored look by using soft colors such as ochre yellow, burnt orange, sage, burgundy, and plum. You can also create soft color combinations by matching light with light colors or dark with dark colors in an outfit. When you combine soft colors, the resulting outfits come out feeling calm, relaxed, and soothing. 

LIGHT & AIRY. Want something on the lighter side? Try these color palettes for a light and airy look. Perfect for spring and summer sessions, as well as tree-filled, outdoor locations.

DARK & MOODY. Love rich colors and moody vibes? These are the color tones for you. Great for fall and winter sessions, and can work in urban locations as well as nature.

COOL & MODERN. This might be the best of both worlds. A little light and airy paired with some moody hues. These are great colors for an outdoor fall or winter session.

WARM & COZY. These color palettes are perfect if dark and moody is, well, too dark and moody. Similar color tones but brighter and more vibrant.

MORE TIPS

Outfit a little too bright? Add a neutral color to soften the look.

Outfit a little too boring or missing something? Add a pop of color, texture, pattern, and/or layers to liven things up.

LOOSE UP & GET COMFORTABLE. In order to get those really candid moments, where you're interacting with your kids and significant other, you need to be comfortable. Otherwise, believe me, your face will tell me all about the tight pants digging into your waist. So, while style is definitely important, making sure you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing is also vital.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET DOWN & DIRTY. As already mentioned, to get those wonderfully candid and authentic moments, you need to be comfy, and part of that also means not being afraid for you and/or your kids to get a little dirty. Being worried about staying clean will hold y’all back from playful, genuine moments together. Plus a good family snuggle session in the grass makes for a beautiful image.

THINK MOVEMENT. You might get a little workout during our session (think running, dancing, and throwing kids in the air kinda stuff). You don't want to have to worry about something coming undone or not being able to do something, so make sure your clothes don't need readjusting and/or are too restrictive. I recommend choosing something that you already know and love, and that you can freely move around in. Think flowy skirts or maxi dresses, or lightweight pants. Not only will you be comfy, but it’ll add beautiful movement, energy, and interest to your photos.

SIMPLE IS BETTER. No cartoon characters, logos, or writing, which can be distracting and take focus away from the face. Simple graphic tees would be the exception.

IN GENERAL, solids are better than heavy/busy patterns, but sometimes rules are meant to be broken. When in doubt, just ask. Or take a pic with your cell phone and see how it looks or send to me.

FOR A CASUAL LOOK, wear a polo shirt, short sleeve button-down, or a nice crew or v-neck shirt.

FOR A MORE TRADITIONAL OR CORPORATE STYLE, dark solid jackets worn over a colored shirt, with or without a tie, work well for men, and a similar look can also work for women.

MOST PEOPLE CAN’T GO WRONG with a simple, classic well-tailored button-up shirt, with or without a jacket.

IF YOU’RE WEARING A COLLARED SHIRT, please choose one that has a stiffer collar rather than a collar that lies flat, and it should always fit snugly at the back of the neck.

THINK ABOUT THE INDUSTRY OR FIELD you’re working in to help make your clothing selections. Keep in mind that a corporate headshot should have a different feel and appearance than a more casual headshot, and you need to make your clothing choices accordingly. It's a great idea to look through headshots of others in your field to get a feel for the types of clothing they wear in their photos.

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Again, these are just tips and guidelines.

Ultimately, this is your session. You do you.

Lost or overwhelmed?

Don't hesitate to ask for more help! I’m here for you and love styling for sessions.

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