You’ve booked your portrait session and now comes coordinating looks for your time in front of the camera.

First things first, let’s talk logistics

Lighting

Soft and even light looks great on everyone. Being photographed in soft, even light is a photographer’s dream, and guarantees you will love the way it makes your skin look. We are natural light photographers who prefer to schedule portrait sessions based on the sun to produce light consistent with what you see on our website as well as capture you in light that flatters your features.

Location

The environment that you choose bounces subtle colors back into your skin, and choosing locations with neutral buildings or landscapes give your skin a natural glow. While we love a good background, lighting is our number one priority for producing images you’ll love.

Confidence

Our goal is your comfort and selecting an outfit where you feel confident helps. Even if you’re awesome at faking it for the camera, every time you look back on your images you’ll remember exactly how you felt at that moment in time.

For Her

Clothing

Say yes to long flowy dresses or skirts because it adds movement to your images. There is no such thing as too dressed up so rock that flower crown, tulle skirt, or sequined gown. Most women, including myself, have areas of their body that they are self-conscious about. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features increase that confidence we’ve been talking about.

Accessories

Statement necklaces, belts, hats, and earrings that don’t compete for attention with your natural features look absolutely stunning, bringing your look together.

Colors

Softer, lighter tones, and muted shades bring the attention to you and your confidence as opposed to what you’re wearing. The camera loves creams, heather grays, leather brown, and white, mixed with soft pinks and muted blues.

Hair, Skin, and Makeup

Getting professional hair and makeup done is something I recommend to my clients for ease of getting ready and for confidence. Professional hair and makeup loves the camera and gives you the chance to treat yourself before portraits. Also, it may seem counter-intuitive, but avoid spray tans anytime before your session. Even when applied professionally, spray tans can photograph orange, so I recommend that gorgeous natural skin of yours anytime.

For Him

Clothing

Long-fitted dress or colored pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. Mixing up a suit coat, blazer, or sport coat with a different color pant color adds visual interest, resulting in a timeless look. Also, layered looks photograph so well, so blazers, coats, and vests up the level!

Accessories

Ties, bow ties, pocket squares, the more the merrier! Maybe not the tie and bow-tie at the same time though….

Colors

Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong compliment to most women’s outfits as well as to your handsome features. Avoiding pinstripes or plaid patterns as well as graphics and logos, bring the attention back to your masculine features as opposed to what you’re wearing.

Hair

I encourage guys to get a hair cut no later than 2 weeks prior to the session. That way, if you’re not completely satisfied with your hair, time will give it the opportunity to grow before your session.

Coordinating your look

The key word is “complement” as opposed to “match” when thinking about coordinating with other people in the image.

When thinking about colors, dominant colors are the primary colors in the outfit while accent colors have the smallest piece of real estate in your ensemble.

Aim for each person to wear a different dominant color and tie in varying accent colors. The goal is to visually break up colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom. This can be a challenge if there are several little ones to coordinate, so I recommend starting with mom and then coordinate dad’s and the little’s outfits based off of what she’s wearing.

How do I mentally prepare?

If you’re bringing kiddos to the shoot,  let them know beforehand just how important this is to you, and that you will offer them something they want following the shoot if they are cooperative and smiley (i.e. a family game night, snack, or gift). Parents say setting expectations before the shoot and offering something exciting works like a charm, even if they’re younger!

Bring favorite toys, snacks, food, and any props that may get them smiling. Sometimes little ones can get fussy and these are a great way to occupy them as well as get them smiling. Some ideas of props are pastel or light colored blankets, stuffed animals, pastel colored toys or anything sentimental to you and your family. If your kiddos have a favorite toy that will get them smiling while the camera’s on them that would be awesome!!!

Just breathe

Now that outfits have been chosen and everyone has been prepped, take a deep breath and remember why you want these photos. You want to remember this season of life, so choose to remember it well. My goal is for stress and over-preparing to be eliminated before you even decide on an outfit. Images tell a story, and I want yours to reflect your love for what’s most important rather than whether everyone looks and acts perfectly. I cannot wait to have you in front of my camera!