“What should we wear?!? Haallpppp!” This is one of the most commonly asked questions/concerns I get when clients are preparing for an upcoming shoot. I get it— I’ve been on the other side of the camera trying to plan outfits and it’s not easy (I feeeel you, friend— the outfit struggle can be so real). You might have a gazillion pins saved on Pinterest, but you don’t know where to begin & how to make sure your outfits look good together in photos. This is not the end all be all when it comes to outfit planning, but I thought I’d pass along some of my thoughts on what to keep in mind while planning out your looks. Keep in mind that rules are meant to be broken, so don’t take this too literally. 😉

General rules of thumb 

+ Be you. Wear what makes you feel like your BEST self. That is all. Moving on. 

+ Complimentary outfits are good— super matchy-matchy is mehh (unless you’re going for the 1995 Christmas card photo look. OR if you’re Brittany Spears & J.T… then by allll means— do. you!). When planning complimentary outfits— pay attention to the colors/tones, patterns, textures, how the fabric drapes, etc. 

+ Don’t be afraid of color! Neutrals do generally photograph really nicely, buuuut color is so, so FUN. Color brings out personality and joy. After years of being very much “team neutrals”— I would love to see more color in outfits this year. Maybe it’s a small pop of color or maybe you experiment with a full-on color explosion. Have fun with it IF it feels like you.

+ What vibe are you going for? Soft & ethereal— choose light, muted neutrals and flowy fabrics. Energetic & bold— choose color & experiment with pattern-play. Coastal vibes— choose various blue tones, warm accents, linens & chunky knit sweaters. I’ll include some mood boards below with some fun examples of how this might play out visually.

+ For families with young kiddos, make sure they (& you) are comfortable! Comfort is 100% the most important thing. They look cute in anything, let’s be real. If they’re super uncomfortable in what they’re wearing— it might show in the photos. So keep the babes in cute, comfy clothes and don’t forget layers if there’s a chance of it being cold. Also, a change of clothes might not be the worst idea just in case they have an accident or a spill. 🙂

+ Pattern can be fun to play with. Like with color, don’t be afraid to experiment with some different patterns within your outfit choices. It can add some fun dimension! Stripes, polka dots, small florals, gingham, etc. Pattern play is a vibe!

+ Be bold & try that fun outfit you’ve been eyeing for months. This is the time to have fun & experiment a little. You can choose to wear 2 outfits, so you can play it “safe” with one & try something different for the other. Have fun with it & don’t worry too much about having everything be perfect.

+ While you’re more than welcome to an outfit change if we have the time, if you have kiddos— some families opt for just one outfit for ease. This is 100% up to you. You know your family better than I do. 🙂

+ Just a fun thought— what would happen if you completely leaned into what your kid(s) would normally wear? Think a princess dress, a cape, a bold & colorful graphic tee, your sweater that is way too big, etc. Even for a portion of the shoot— it could be a viiiiibe. Think about it. 🙂

Accessories & Shoes

+ SHOES. I am 100% a bare-footed kinda gal, so I might ask you to remove your shoes if it feels right in the location (i.e. beach, in-home), BUT if you’re going to wear shoes (which, ya know, a lot of people do) I suggest not wearing super tall heels or a pair of kicks that is super uncomfortable. Also heels often sink into the ground. And if you’re anything like me— there’s a high percentage that you’ll roll your ankle by the end of the shoot. For the gentlemen— fun sneakers, loafers, boots, etc. are all solid choices. For kiddos, just keep them comfortable. In all honesty- my daughter totally wanted to wear crocs at our last family session and I did not want to fight that battle, so she rocked them. Hey, crocs can be chic! 🙂

+ Let’s chat accessories. Bringing a few accessories will let you quickly switch up your look without having to completely change outfits. Maybe you bring a hat or sunglasses. Maybe you switch up your jewelry or add a killer neck scarf or headband. This isn’t necessarily an “accessory”, but maybe you bring a jacket, sweater or shawl that you can put on & remove easily to switch up your look.

Seasons & Locations

+ Take the shoot location into consideration when planning your outfits. For example, if we’re shooting in a green forest, maybe avoid wearing the color green. 

+ Outfits obviously have to change as seasons do, especially here in the Midwest. During the winter months— don’t forget those layers! We can layer up if necessary. Consider bringing a cute winter coat that you can easily put on & take off. In the summer— have fun with flowy outfits. Also keep tones/colors in mind based on the season. 

+ In-home shoots are meant to be comfortable & relaxed. Wear something that reflects that. Ideas would be baggy sweaters, jeans & a plain tee, cute sweats, etc. 

A couple mood boards for a spark of inspiration

Here are a few fun examples of how thinking intentionally about color pairings, textures, patterns, etc. can really bring things to life.

Other tips & thoughts

+ You don’t need to do the same thing every year!! Go bold this year and neutral next year. Be fancy one year and super low-key another. The cool thing is that you are not married to one style year after year!

+ Here are a couple Pinterest boards for inspiration. Are you a couple? Check this board if you need a little extra help or just want some ideas. Are you a family or maternity client? Check out this board for some solid inspiration. Both of these boards will give you a great idea on what types of colors, textures, patterns, etc. might look good together.

+ Feel free to reach out to me ahead of time for my input! I know how real decision-fatigue is, so I’m happy to lend my opinion if you want it! 🙂 

+ Above all, wear what makes you happy and confident. in the end, that is the most important thing. Always always always!!!

I hope this post will be helpful as you put outfits together. Remember- comfort & confidence are the two most important things. And in no time you’ll be feeling like this.

xx,

Nicole