Outfits are usually the part families stress about most before a session — and honestly, it's the part that matters least once we get shooting. A few simple guidelines go a long way.
You don't need matching shirts. Pick two or three colors that work together — a shared palette rather than a uniform — and let everyone wear their own version of it. It reads as put-together without looking staged.
Bold prints, loud graphics, and large logos tend to pull the eye away from faces, which is the opposite of what you want in a portrait. Simple textures and solid colors photograph better and age better too.
An outfit that works in a downtown setting might not work the same way at a lake or in a field. If you're not sure how your location choice affects wardrobe, just ask — we're glad to talk it through before the day of your session.
A jacket, cardigan, or scarf that can come on and off gives us a bit of visual variety through the session without anyone needing to fully change clothes.
Most of the time shoes barely show up in the frame. Comfortable beats stylish here — nobody wants to be adjusting sore feet halfway through the session.
An entire family in all white or all black tends to flatten out in photos and can throw off exposure across the group. A little variation in tone keeps everyone looking like themselves.
Still not sure your outfits are working together? Send us a photo of what you're planning to wear before the session and we'll tell you honestly what we think.
Planning a senior session too? Take a look at our favorite local spots for senior portraits.