So you finally did it. You booked yourself that incredible family photographer you’ve been eyeing. Now you’re a few months or weeks away from the photo session wondering what the heck you’re supposed to wear! Or maybe you waited just a little bit too long (we all do it) and now you’re slightly panicking because your photo session is right around the corner.

Don’t fret. I’m here to alleviate some of your stress and share some of my favorite tips to help you get the best photos you could imagine!

Grab a glass of wine and virtually hang with me while I walk you through my best tips on what to wear for your photo session.

COMFORT

First and foremost, you want to wear something comfortable. Now hear me out… I’m not necessarily saying this isn’t the time to break in those magical 6 inch heels you never got around to wearing...

But if you want to feel comfortable and move around during your session, you may want to swap them out for some cute booties.

Because let's keep it real, no one wants to chase around kiddos or doggos while stabbing holes in the ground. And hey, you can always bring both for variety!

I will definitely have you moving around quite a bit, so comfort is key for great photos!

COLORS/PATTERNS

“What colors go best together?”
“What should I wear that photographs well?”
”Is there anything I should stay away from?”

Yes..
Yes..
And YES. Just YES.

These are without a doubt the few questions I get asked every single day. And boy oh boy have I got answers for you!

* Avoid heavy graphics and large logos. Busy graphics can take away from the focus (YOU!) and we don’t want that. There are always exceptions, like if you are sponsored and want to represent a specific brand - But typically these photos are for you and your family to have forever and hang on your wall.

* Avoid neon colors. And I say this gently, because I have many neon tops that I am in love with. But the unfortunate fact is that these just do not photograph well. Any bright and overly saturated colors don’t handle post processing well and can have a funky effect on the photo. These can even cast a color onto other outfits in the photograph. It’s best to ditch neon colors like orange, green, yellow, extremely bright reds, or anything dripping with saturation. An easy fix for this is to replace the tone. Love the red color palette? Find a burgundy or a darker red instead of a vivid neon red. Swap out the neon green for a timeless forest green.

* Avoid too many clashing patterns. Set the polka dots down and step away from the plaid! Just kidding. Kind of. Patterns can be great with a minimalist approach. Have the entire family wear complimentary colors and throw Tommy in that adorable shark pattern shirt you’ve been dying to have him in! When it comes to clashing, I always say that it’s best to avoid too many patterns in one photo. You know what I’m talking about. One person shows up in plaid, the other in stripes, kids are in polka dots. And hey, I’ve photographed this scenario before and can still make it work but it’s not ideal. If there is too much going on, it really does take away from the subjects of the photo. Mommy/daughter or Daddy/son matching is always an option and never fails. That combination will always be adorable.
I could go on for days about this topic but I think my fingers would be numb.

* If you are struggling, stick to neutral colors! Say it with me. Neutral colors are friends not food. Finding Nemo? No? Just me?

I’m not kidding you. Neutral colors can save the day when you are stressed about having everyone match. Pick a few of your favorite colors, find your closest Target, and treat yourself. This is a fail proof solution that works 101% of the time. If you want to do a bright pop of color, have that be fixed outfit and fill in the remaining outfits. You can choose shades of gray, brown, etc. or a color that compliments the brighter color without taking away from the photo.

WEATHER

Dress for the weather.

Don’t roll your eyes at me! I don’t mean to wear a jacket if it’s cold or bring an umbrella if it’s raining (well, you should do that too). I mean dress accordingly.

If it’s spring, throw on a cute maxi dress with floral patterns and match the family in light blues, pinks, and grays. Spring is for soft hues and beautiful colors around you. If it’s fall (my absolute favorite season), don’t hesitate to go crazy with beautiful rich tones. I’m talking reds, yellows, blues, burnt orange, greens. Give me all of the colors! Throw on your favorite colorful cardigan, jeans, and booties. Fall is life. Skirts with tights, high boots, comfy jeans for the guys, flannels, scarves, I could go on and on! If it’s winter, grab the beanie, the black comfy leggings and boots. For summer…. Umm… Something that won’t have you sweating - Lol!

Speaking of weather, have faith in me! We can make some serious magic happen in sun, rain, snow, clouds, tsunamis (okay, maybe not the last one).

If the forecast calls for rain, run with it! Bring clear bubble umbrellas and we will make sure to find an undercover area as an option, or tons of trees. No one wants to look like a wet cat after 5 minutes of shooting, so let’s avoid that until the end.

I know this goes without saying, but don’t forget to try on your outfit before your photo session. Look in the mirror from all angles and maybe have the hubby snap a pic for you. It’s best to know exactly what you look like beforehand so you feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable in whatever you chose to wear to your session.

My clients have told me what works best for them is to lay out all of their outfits on the bed. Go from there! It’s really easy to see if something is visually appealing when it’s right in front of you.

PETS AND FURRY CHILDREN. Because duh. They are part of the family!

I say catch em all. Oops. I mean match em all. I’m not even joking with you! Throw a bow tie on the dog or buy a cute collar because it’s a special occasion! Your pet will look amazing regardless, but if you want to take that extra step, make a quick trip to the pet store. Or head to Amazon (thank you 2 day shipping!) I have clients bring pets to the session whenever I can. Not only does it add fun to the session, but it ensures that you get some professional photos of your furry loved ones. Don’t forget to bring your dogs favorite toy or treat so your I can grab their attention!

I hope this post has helped you a little bit! Feel free to drop a comment or Email me and let me know if you need help with anything else.

Thanks for reading and I will chat with you soon! XO

 PREPPING FOR YOUR PHOTO SESSION

Nervous for your upcoming photo session? Don’t be! I’m here to walk you through everything. I mean, you’ve made it this far so there’s no backing out now! Grab a snack, your favorite glass of wine, and get your face mask ready (because yes, that’s part of your homework!)

Let’s not even waste any time. I’m jumping right into this!

Clothing. Pick out clothes you are comfortable in and don’t mind running around in. I’m likely going to have you move around quite a bit. Make sure to iron out clothes ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling the day of the session. Think about bringing comfortable walking shoes and jackets for in between shots if you’re shooting in chilly weather.

 Location matters. I promise it does! It’s beneficial to pick a spot that holds some type of significance to you. If you and your family love target trips like 99% of us, let's do a fun target shoot! Often times stores will allow you to shoot there if you get permission beforehand. Maybe you and your family love nature and greenery! If you and your fiance met at an arcade, incorporate that into your session somehow. You will feel so much more at ease if you are shooting somewhere you love. I can help you with this as well! Often times I will send my clients a detailed list of cool locations based on what they are looking for. I want to work with you to get you the most meaningful photos possible.

Let's talk about timeliness. Do whatever you need to do to get to your photo session on time. Set an alarm. Heck, set 16 if you need to (yeah I see you. But I do the same thing so I’m not judging). Map out where you are going ahead of time so you aren’t frantic on the day of the shoot. Tardiness happens, but your photo session will be off to a great start if you can make sure to be on time or early to your session. I just stress this because I want us to have more than enough time without worrying about the clock!


Self care. Let’s chat about it real quick. We want to feel like the best version of ourselves that we possibly can! This means physically and mentally. I want to share my favorite self care tips that will help you achieve those beautiful images you’ve been wanting.

Make sure to keep yourself hydrated and drink tons of water! I know, I know. You aren’t going on a run or nursing a hangover, but your body will love you and that will translate through photos. We all know this but water helps reduce dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Because let’s be real, most of us are drained in our day to day life so a little pick me up can’t possibly hurt.

SLEEP. I mean it. Cut the binge watching on The Office and get a good nights sleep. This is something else that can and will translate through your photos. We all feel and look better after a good nights sleep. Even though the zombie version of you is probably pretty badass.. I’d prefer to photograph the lively version!

Use this photo session as an excuse to do those little things you may not have gotten around to before. Treat yourself to a girls day and get your nails done. Get that hair trim you’ve been dreading and putting off for 6 months (okay, I’m really just talking to myself in the mirror now). But really. Pamper yourself! Throw on a face mask on and relax on the couch while the little ones are running around.  Have you been wanting to whiten your teeth? These whitening trays from Amazon are wonderful and lighten teeth extremely fast (and with no sensitivity which is a huge bonus). If you are considering spray tanning before your photo session, try to do this a few days before so it has time to set in. 

We are all beautiful and perfect just the way we are - But a little self care can go a long way and feed into your mental and physical health.

Professional Hair and Makeup. Once upon a time, the earth gifted us makeup artists and hair stylists. And thank the lucky stars for that. If you don’t do your makeup often or are hesitant about doing your own, this is something to consider. Now you don’t have to go crazy or over the top. I always suggest having your makeup artist make you a va va voom version of yourself. You can always schedule a fun date night after the shoot is over so you can get full use of your makeup and hair!

Here are little things to pack in your bag that can act as a saving grace if needed!

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Chapstick 
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Floss 
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Napkins
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Snacks
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Gum 
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Lotion 
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Water
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Umbrella
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A few additional tips to ensure your photo session runs smoothly:

1.)  Hype our photo session up! Tell your kiddos how fun and exciting it will be to have their photo taken. Maybe even let them pick out a fun outfit to wear. If they feel comfortable with me, that will lead to amazing photos. If you aren’t past bribery, maybe offer them a toy or a snack afterwards if they are on their best behavior! 

2.) R E L A X. I know it can be nerve wracking to be in front of a camera. But I’m going to make you feel like we have been besties for 10 years so you can feel at ease during your photo session. I can guarantee you that I’ll be more goofy and awkward than you! 

3.) Props are always something to consider. If we have a maternity session, bring your sonogram or those cute baby sneakers you picked up the other day. If it’s a family session, bring a blanket we can get some cute shots of you guys all snuggled and sitting down. Engagement session? Bring a bottle of champagne so we can shake it up and have some fun! Also… Make sure to have your ring cleaned!

I cannot WAIT to see you. We’re going to get you some of the most magical photos you’ve ever seen!