Wardrobe & Styling
Let’s take a deep breath before we begin!
The idea of picking out a wardrobe for you and everyone else who will be part of the shoot can seem a little overwhelming. I completely understand and have put together some helpful tips to make selecting outfits easy and enjoyable.
First, for in-home sessions, I want you to think comfortable and like you’re actually just hanging out at home. Think bare feet, comfortable clothing, and remaining true to you!
For outdoor sessions, try to coordinate your outfits by color palette and try to avoid being really matchy. Remember cards in the 90’s where everyone would wear blue jeans and white t-shirt? That’s exactly what we want to avoid.
Styling Tips
1. Stick with light, pale, neutral colors - avoid fluorescent or really bright colors
2. Layer your clothing and jewelry to add depth and texture - think hats, vests, scarves, bow ties, belts, suspenders, etc.
3. Be comfortable - steer clear of heels or clothing that is too tight. You want to be able to move around and feel good.
4. Flowy dresses work beautifully on women and girls - they show so motion and move with you as opposed to staying rigid.
5. Plain v-neck t-shirts are always great for boys and men - polos and collared shirts can leave guys looking a little stiff.
5. No logos or words - stay timeless by avoiding words and logos that will date the images.
Outdoor Session Prep
Preparing for an outdoor session requires a different kind of preparation that indoors. For your outdoor session, please bring with you a change of clothes so we have some variety to work with. If your session will be at the beach, bring along a swimsuit and a change of clothes in case we decide to have some fun in the water!
For the kiddos, allow them to bring along a favorite toy or two of choice. Try not to censor what they decided to bring along as allowing them to choose a current favorite will help you remember exactly who they were becoming at this moment in time.
If there are any other items you’d like to bring, like a blanket to lay on the ground to sit on, a guitar if someone in your family plays, or a favorite picnic snack, have these items all prepared and ready to go before we head out! You may also want to bring along items like insect repellent and sunscreen, just in case!
In-home Session Prep
When preparing for your in-home session, I highly recommend focusing on the master bedroom...
A few things I recommend is having a white or neutral duvet cover if at all possible. You can even use the duvet insert instead of a cover, use only white sheets, or sprawl a nice white quilt over the bed! Whites and neutrals will allow more light to reflect up onto your faces, will brighten all of your images, and create a timeless feel. If you don’t have something white or neutral, be sure to keep it as classic as possible. Remember that colors and patterns will eventually be dated, which makes neutrals our best for images you’ll love sharing for years to come.
On occasion I walk into a client's home who has gushed over my "bright, calming colors and edits" and then has navy blue walls and deep red bedding. If the images on my website and social media have drawn you in, try to make note of what you love about the images. If it is the light and airy feel, take a look at your bedroom and see if the color palettes match. Please understand that your decor and clothing are going to sway the overall feel and vibe of your images. Soft tans and whites will be much brighter and softer than deep reds. In the end, these are your images so you are welcome to choose whatever you would like!
Another thing to remember for your indoor session is that I will often shoot toward the bed so if you have items on your end tables that you don’t want seen in the final images, please move them out of the bedroom or tuck them into some drawers out of view. If you do not have time to tidy up, I am happy to help you when I get there!
I suggest you clean and declutter some, but please do not stress! I love lived-in homes and want to tell your story authentically.
