Once your session is booked you may begin to wonder: “What am I, my child, family, baby or newborn going to wear for our professional photography shoot?!” You probably know the basic photography rules. No large logos, crazy stripes or tons of patterns, you don’t want 40 photos of your 2-year-old in his Elmo shirt, (but a few are fine after all it’s his favorite). A huge hat on your 4-year old’s head may distract from her gorgeous eyes, but a cute knit hat or flower headband is adorable. I will try to help guide you with what to wear for your upcoming photo shoot.
What to wear?
Newborns
Newborns are easy, they are perfect with nothing at all on!! I also like to use swaddling blankets, hats, headbands, and few props. If you have anything of sentimental value, please have that out as well. I encourage Mom and Dad to get in a few family pictures as well. I love white, creams, beiges, greys and pastels. The more neutral the better. Black shirts provide a great backdrop for Mom and Dad to wear for close family shots. The skin on skin is also great, so if you are comfortable enough to wear a strapless shirt or Dad without a shirt, these pictures are stunning and usually cropped close. Siblings should be in the light and airy clothing, solid colors are preferred. We can match a bow or hat to the siblings’ shirt or dress, same for Mom and Dad if we are doing shots off the entire family together.
Babies and Children
We really can be creative with clothing when the shoot is just of the star. Tutu’s, superhero capes, cowboy boots, layers upon layers, fun patterned dress or just a classic look. Really anything goes. We want to capture personality so fun layers, leggings, jeans under dresses, frilly, classic, newsboy hats, and everything else in between. It’s your chance to be the star, there is no concern of clashing colors or patterns like you have with family shoots. We also want to make sure you or your child are comfortable in the clothes, so make sure they can move around freely. Don’t forget about fun accessories either. Clothing changes are also encouraged if the model is willing, we can do some funky as well as some pictures in a more classic look.
Maternity
Bare is best here too!! We want to show off that great baby bump. Clothing should be tight fitting around the belly to accentuate it. Fitted tank top and tees, solid colors work great. Nails should be newly manicured in a clear paint, French manicure, or light color. Borrow hubby’s button down shirt for a cute shot or tighter sundresses. Accessories can be added as needed to complete the picture. If your significant other is joining you they should wear a solid color shirt and pants/jeans are fine. Just remember your belly is the star of this shoot.
Family
Family photos do not have to mean white tees and khakis or matching polo shirts anymore. Polo shirts for boys and men are still a great choice, but they do not have to be in the same color as each other. Khakis are fine, but not everyone has to be wearing them. Basically, Color coordinated outfits are in, and the “uniform” look is gone. Choose items for your family as if you were creating one large outfit. Would all the colors you choose look nice on one person? Accessories can also bring an “outfit” together, a bracelet the same color as your son’s shirt. Your little girl can wear a fun funky dress and everyone else can pull one color from it to wear.
Siblings
The same rules hold true for families. Coordinated in, uniformity out. Have your daughter in a colorful dress and pull out a color for your son’s shirt. Little girls together do best with dresses, skirts, and layers from similar lines. They can both wear white dresses, but try accessorizing with fun different colors of leggings, headbands, scarves or necklaces. Just be careful with adding too many different patterns, especially for girls. Funky, fun and fresh is great but can become overwhelming quickly. I also welcome wardrobe changes in between shots if we want to create different looks or if we are doing individual siblings.
