WELCOME GUIDE
WHAT TO WEAR
This guide includes detailed information on what to wear for mom, dad, children, and how to coordinate outfits.
WHAT TO WEAR
OUTFIT BASICS
Your outfit choice makes a HUGE difference in your final set of images.
CHOOSE COLORS THAT ARE
TIMELESS & FLATTERING
The best colors are light, neutral colors: off-white, beige, and, grey.
+ Earthy tones pair very well with the neutral colors mentioned above.
+ Other great colors to complement neutrals are pastel/muted colors: beige, taupe, sand, light blue, grey blue, nude, dusty pink, coral, blush, lavender, aqua, mustard, olive, etc.
+ Black is another neutral color. It is OK to wear black pants or a skirt. Avoid wearing a black top. But mix it up with whites and other light colors (like the image on the left). Otherwise, your images will look dark.
INSPIRATION BOARDS
FOR CHOOSING COLORS
TYPES OF OUTFITS
TO AVOID
Stripes
Large logos
Writing
Bold and colorful patterns
Bright and bold colors (e.g., red, bright orange, bright yellow)
WHY?
Because all of these outfits bring attention to your clothing – not you. Plus, your images will be contrasty and bold (vs. timeless and soft).
EXAMPLES OF OUTFITS
TO AVOID
OUTFIT FOR MOM
CHOOSING WHAT TO WEAR
The most important thing is to choose a dress or skirt + shirt that makes YOU feel confident and beautiful. And that is true to your style.left). Otherwise, your images will look dark.
IDEAL OPTION: DRESS OR SKIRT
+ The best option is a long dress or skirt (midi or maxi length). It is flattering and feminine, and it will add movement to your images.
+ For fabric, opt for light, fresh, flowy, and/or with texture, like chiffon, organza, jersey, lace, tulle, cotton, eyelet, ruffle, seersucker, crepe, rayon, polyester, and linen.
THE MOVEMENT TEST
+ Can you sit, lay down, stand, and play with your children comfortably in your choice of outfit?
+ Please avoid skirts & dresses at the knee or shorter, or overly tight, as they will NOT work well on sitting poses.
Flattering female features
+ If you feel self-conscious about your arms, I recommend wearing sleeves – short, long, or three-quarter length. It is best to avoid skinny straps or tank tops.
+ A wrap dress or shirt, or with a V-neckline is a very flattering option for any type of female body.
Hair & Makeup
+ It is ideal to wear nude underwear, like these
+ Try your outfit on with the underwear you’ll be wearing to make sure you don’t have any extra lumps, bumps, or bra straps claiming attention.
+ Check if the dress covers your bra so you don’t need to be adjusting it all the time during the session.
OUTFIT FOR PREGNANCY
SAME TIPS AS ABOVE
+ The best option is a long dress or skirt (midi or maxi length).
+ You don’t necessarily need a pregnancy dress. Instead, it is easier to find “bump-frinedly” dresses with an elastic at the waist
+ Choose something you feel confident and comfortable
+ Do the movement test: wear something you can easily sit and move around
FLATTERING SILLHOUTE TO SHOW THE BUMP
Choose a dress that is tight just above the belly AND flowy below to add movement and softness
OUTFIT FOR DAD
WHAT TO WEAR
A pair of khaki, camel, gray, cream, etc non-dress (casual) pants. With a well-fitted t-shirt or button-down shirt in white, beige, light grey, or muted color.
THINGS TO AVOID
+ No denin if possible. But if this is the only option, opt for a light wash or a dark, muted color. No bright blue.
+ It is best to avoid wearing the “work outfit”: a shirt tucked into dress pants with a belt. Opt for a more casual, laid-back style, even if mom is wearing a long dress.
+ Try to avoid clothes that are too baggy or too tight, horizontal stripes, and sports clothes.
PLUS-SIZE DAD
+ Opt for clothing that fits well to give a good structure to the body (versus too loose or too tight).
+ A great option is a button-down shirt. Dad can also wear an open jacket or shirt to add layering and a vertical line to the body.
WHAT TO WEAR
BABIES & CHILDREN
Babies
For studio or in-home sessions: The best (and easiest) is to keep it simple and dress your baby in a white onesie/vest. Or even better – only diapers (in-home session).
For outdoor sessions: Dress your baby in something comfortable, warm (if needed), following the instructions for choosing color mentioned earlier.
Children
+ It is important to dress your child in something she feels comfortable wearing to prevent unnecessary tantrums. Avoid clothes that are itchy, too tight, or stiff.
+ Ask your child for help when buying/choosing his outfit. You can give him 2-3 choices and let him pick his favorite.
+ Make a BIG deal about the outfit choice to get your child excited by showing it to dad, siblings, grandma, nanny, etc.
WHAT TO WEAR
THE WHOLE FAMILY
THE NUMBER ONE SECRET!
Choose mom’s outfit first and then decide on your everyone’s outfitscolor based around that. For example, if mom’s dress is floral with pastel pink and blue tones, dress the family in those tones. You can also add another neutral if you need additional colors (off-white, grey, beige, cream)
COORDINATING VS. MATCHY-MATCHY
You need to coordinate colors among the family members without actually matching them. That is, avoid having 2+ people wearing the same color on top or bottom. For example: mom can wear a beige top & dress her toddler in a beige skirt (versus both wearing a beige top)
PATTERNS VS. SOLID COLOR
+ It is OK to wear an outfit with patterns (e.g., floral dress), as long as the patterns are delicate, are not bold stripes
+ And if only 1-2 people wear it. Three or more people wearing patterns will cause the photos to look busy and distracting.
GENERAL TIPS
+ Consider taking off your shoes during your session for studio, in-home and outdoor in the summer. It gives a lovely, carefree, genuine feel to your images.
+ It is ideal to set aside the outfits on the day before your session. And pack an extra outfit for you (mom) if your baby or toddler tends to vomit or have diaper blowouts.
+ Take off dark watches and hairbands before your session as they are distracting.
+ Avoid getting a spray tan, haircut, or your hair colored on the days leading up to your session.
Want to keep things super simple?
If coordinating the outfits for your entire feeling feels overwhelming, all you really need is to dress everyone in a mix of LIGHT NEUTRAL TONES: off-white, beige, and grey.
FALL & WINTER: OUTDOOR SESSION
KEEPING YOUR FAMILY WARM
+ Opt to dress in warm layers, including a thermal base layer, sweaters, tights, and onesies for the little ones. But try wearing layers without looking bulky.
+ Wear accessories, including scarves, gloves, hats, and a baby blanket. You might also consider wearing a body warmer patch.
+ Try to avoid wearing a puffy jacket and vest as these options are unflattering for a photo session.
+ Try to avoid wearing turtleneck (both man and woman). A scarf is much more flattering.
KNITWEAR
The camera LOVES the texture of knitwear. For women, choose a chunky knit cardigan.
ADD A POP OF COLOR
+ In the wintertime, the colors in the environment can look dull. To add visual interest, you can dress 1-2 family members in a bolder color that stands out.
+ I recommend you choose a neutral color palette to be your dominant color scheme (off-white, beige, and grey). And then add 1-2 accent colors (e.g., coral, denim, aqua, mustard) to add visual interest.
BROWSE
MY FAVORITE SHOPS
If you would like to buy outfits for your session, check out where you can find options as recommended in this guide.