It’s my job to help your family look the absolute BEST on camera for your session!
This guide is meant to help you understand what outfits photograph best and why. My goal is not to control or change who you are, but to lend my expertise and knowledge for the best possible results.
Remember, I offer a client closet with many unique & luxury pieces for photos that you have FREE ACCESS to. You can even come try things on during your pre-session consultation.
If you decide to purchase your own pieces – PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send me pictures before buying! Coloring is so important when editing!
xo
maren
There’s a lot that goes into planning your session and setting yourself up for success. To make it easy and help you keep track this guide will walk you through the following:
I know it’s a lot of information, but I ask you to take the time to read every word. I promise the investment will be returned x100.
Let’s dive in!
Because you didn’t hire me to take pictures… you hired me to create art.
Like a painter carefully considers the elements of composition (balance, contrast, focus, motion, and pattern) when mixing paints for his masterpiece, we must do the same when choosing the elements that go into yours.
The outfits you choose to wear for your session should reflect your style, both individually and as a family- however the colors, textures, and styles will play a huge part in the way your photos turn out!
Some outfits that look great in real life just don’t photograph well, or distract from you and your family. I promise that if you follow these guidelines you won’t just end up with pretty pictures to post on the ‘gram, but priceless works of art you’ll want to hang in your home.
If you’ve already read the welcome guide you know that session styling actually begins with location.
The colors you chose to wear should compliment the colors already found in the environment. That’s why I recommend earthy tones as a great starting point.
Wardrobe that is intentionally chosen to fit your personality, yet compliment the environment we’re shooting in makes for the most beautiful images.
Professional Hair and Makeup is hands down the biggest game changer when it comes to professional photography.
Maybe you’re a hair and makeup pro… if so you can jump down to the next tip… but if you’re like me… well then your everyday makeup might be restricted to mascara… that is if you wear any at all. And your hair is probably in a messy bun 6 out of 7 days of the week.
If that sounds like you, trust me! Take the stress out by entrusting it to the experts! Not only will you look great, you’ll FEEL great and that confidence will shine through in your pictures.
Remember, I’ve partnered with Taryn at Infinite Artistry to get my clients $30 off. Reach out to her directly and mention you’re my client, or let me know you’re interested and I’ll give her your name and contact info.
*If you’ve already read the Welcome Guide from cover to cover you can skip this section.
1. COLOR
You want the colors you wear to both help you stand out and blend with the environment, that’s why we start with location. In general think warm, neutral, earthy, rich, and vibrant.
NO TWO PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR THE SAME COLOR. Instead, choose colors that complement each other rather than match exactly. Including lots of neutrals will help prevent a color overload.
The colors you chose will also affect the way my editing style reads on your images, best to stick with similar colors as in my Instagram feed, since those are probably what drew you to me in the first place. Limit cool tones like certain blues and greens, and avoid light grey at all costs.
2. TEXTURE & PATTERNS
Textures and patterns help add movement, dimension, and visual interest to your images.
Examples of different textures include chunky sweaters/cardigans, long flowy dresses (if they’re translucent, even better!), linens/gauze, velvet, fringe, corduroy, statement jewelry (especially earrings, bracelets, or rings), etc. Mix and match a variety of textures both within each outfit and across your whole family.
Patterns are another great way to add more visual interest to your images, As a general rule, one for every three people should be in a pattern. Go for medium-sized patterns. Stripes and florals are my favorites! No buffalo plaid or super thin stripes/ tiny patterns, please.
3. LAYERS
Besides adding even more depth and visual interest, adding layers to your wardrobe gives your images an immediate sense of coziness, cuddles, and warmth.
Cardigans and even blankets look great worn off the shoulder. Open work-shirts, jackets, overalls, and vests are an especially great way to layer the men in the family.
4. SKIN
Remember how I said layers make your pictures feel cozy? Well, skin makes them feel intimate.
Feel free to show as much skin as you’re comfortable with while keeping it classy. For girls think crop tops, off the shoulder, slits, high low hemlines, and showing cleavage. For boys think shirtless or tank tops (NO SHORTS except on toddlers).
From someone who tends to show almost no skin, please only do what will make you feel comfortable and confident.
5. CONTRAST
Contrast is the styling principle that will keep you from looking like one monochromatic blob.
Simply put, contrast says put each of your family members in different values so they stand out from each other.
Here’s what it looks like: Let’s pretend I’m shooting a couple and they both wear black. When I edit their pictures, their black clothes blend together making it hard to tell where one person ends and the other begins. But if she wore black and he wore white they’d have contrast and stand out from each other. (Though I don’t typically recommend black and white it helps explain the principle.)
So if mama wants to wear a dark dress, dad should be in a lighter shade and baby in a medium tone. Or if someone is dark on bottom and light on top, then whoever they’re most likely to stand next to should be light on bottom and dark on top.
Contrast.
About 6 weeks before your session you’ll receive an email asking you to make an appointment for your pre-session consultation.
This is where we transform all the inspiration & dreaming into a concrete plan. We’ll finalize the location, get a clear direction for styling, and get to know each other.
I find this is the perfect window because we are close enough to your session to shop the current season and style, yet far enough out if you need to order clothes online.
If you’re renting a dress from one of my favorite online rental shops this should be done ASAP, reach out immediately and we’ll get the ball rolling.
We can meet over the phone/zoom or in-person. If you’re planning on using anything from my client closet, I recommend an in-person meeting so you can try things on.
The color pallets & styling examples in this section are perfect for open fields, wildflowers, and desert locations.
The color pallets & styling examples in this section are perfect for river, lake, ocean & summer vibes.
The color pallets & styling examples in this section are perfect for mountain, forest, and fall vibes.
Some rules have exceptions… these are not those rules. Please avoid the following things at all costs!
No Buffalo Plaid
No Short and/or tighted fitted dresses
No Big Bold Stripe
No Graphic T’s or Logos
Baggy Pants
No HUGE Floral Patterns
No Patterns or Characters like these
No Thin Stripes (or Random Fish)
No Highlighter Colors
No Bright/Rainbow Colors
No Shorts if you’re older than 3
No Matching
No Gym Shoes
No High Heels or Platforms
No Bright Shoes
No Bright Accents on Shoes
1. Mama chooses her outfit first. I mentioned this in the Welcome Guide but I’m repeating it so you know I mean business. Mama chooses her outfit first, NO EXCEPTIONS. I guarantee you care the most, you’re the pickiest, and you’ll be the hardest to style. Your outfit should not depend on anyone else’s. Whatever you chose should pass these three tests:
1. Do You feel beautiful in it?
2. If you bend over, are you at risk of something popping out?
3. Can you squat down confidently?
2. Dress for Confidence. Play up the things you love about your body, and dress to hide the things you don’t. Mama’s if you’re self-conscious about your arms, wear sleeves. Dads if you’re insecure about your chest or stomach choose thicker pieces like waffle knit, sweaters, flannel, etc.
3. Careful what fabrics you choose. Some fabrics hide wrinkles and sweat tacos… Others well… don’t… choose carefully.
4. Age Appropriate. I know that those little pantsuits are adorable… but they don’t belong here. Keep them dressed in age-appropriate clothing, Rompers are always a great option, and barefoot so we can document those precious little toes!
5. Nails. Don’t forget to remove that hot pink nail/toenail polish before your session. Natural colors are okay but well-manicured all-natural nails are best.
6. Wait to dress your kids. Don’t dress your young children until you’ve arrived on location. This will prevent wardrobe malfunctions like kids throwing up due to carsickness, accidents, spilled milk/water, etc. I promise it’s not worth the risk.
7. Hide Underwear. If you have young kids who will be picked up/aren’t careful, please have them wear a coordinated/neutral-colored diaper cover or shorts under dresses. Some of my favorite pictures have been ruined because of paw-patrol panties showing.
Moms, this applies to bras too. If your dress is low cut, off the shoulder, or see-through, please make sure you wear a bra that will not be seen.
Congrats! You made it to the end! That was a lot of information but hopefully all helpful!
Next steps: Go see what’s in the client closet and then head on over to style and select to start dreaming.
xo
maren
Congrats! You made it to the end! That was a lot of information but hopefully all helpful!
Next steps: Go see what’s in the client closet and then head on over to style and select to start dreaming.
xo
maren
