HOW TO DRESS FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION:

wether you’ve booked your first, or 10th set of photos you’ll realize that choosing outfits doesn’t get easier. 

While i know it’s extremely tempting to go out and buy something completely out of your comfort zone for your engagement session, family photoshoot, or branding shoot— 

We all have to remember that beautiful, perfect, unique standing-only outfit, that never gets worn but often gets thought about in the BACK of our closet. (it only looks good when standing, the shirt rises when you move your arms, or worse you can’t move your arms lol, ect) 

your engagement session is the WORST time to experiment with outfits especially if you’ve booked an  photographer that does more promoting, instead of posing. Wear something you’re comfortable in, something you can move in ( not yoga pants, or basketball shorts: we’re not necessarily doing a group workout) something you know you love. If you’ve book your engagement session with me, please know there will be ALOT of movement during your engagement session. 

There are a few things to ask yourself before you start frantically, online shopping and adding everything to your cart. 

What type of location will you be shooting at? What’s the backdrop? What time of year is it? 

Spring and fall are my favorite times to shoot, because the colors are vibrant, the foliage is foliage-ing, and the temperatures are cooler. Summer is IDEAL if you have young children, because they’re out of school and there’s typically a lot less going on. 

Although, if you live in a place like me, that’s sunny prettttty much 365 days out of the year; (god bless you, San Diego) you can pretty much get away with doing photos anytime of year. It really just depends on YOUR ideal backdrop. 

Okay great. You’ve got your location down, AND colors in mind. 

GIRLS- you choose your outfit first. As a lady myself, we tend to be the hardest on ourselves, and have the most struggle when trying to put together outfits. Keep in mind that boys/men/ young children’s outfits are easier to throw together— do yourself a favor and find something YOU love, feel confident and comfortable in, and have the family’s color palette built off of your outfit.  

Leave the clothes with illustrations, texts, logos, bright colors and blunt patterns AT home— they cause distractions are can totally change the entire vibe of your photo-shoot. 

Matching equals flat:

When everyone wears the same exact color or outfit, your photos will tend to feel flat. Adding in different colors, patterns, and styles will add more texture and contrast to outfits which ultimately elevates your Photos. 

If you’ve booked a photographer that does more prompting than posing- be ready to MOVE. (Run, jump, walk, twirl, sit, dance) there is nothing worse than having outfit restrictions- too tight, too lose, straps falling, bra showing, ect. BUT worst case; it can cause creative restrictions for your photographer. To get the very MOST out of your photo session and to feel the most story told when you get your gallery wearing comfortable, moveable clothes is the way to go. 

LEAVE YOUR APPLE WATCH, FITBIT, and any other kind of un-anesthetically pleasing props at home. I promise—You can count your steps when you get done. If you’re the type of person that doesn’t live without your watch, and have developed a crazy tan- take your watch off, and try to even out your skin tone as much as you can before your photo session. 

Of course outfits can make a difference in your final gallery, but what makes the biggest difference from your gallery to the next is for you, to BE YOU! Show up wholeheartedly and give your photographer full creative freedoms.

i stand confident when i say what truly made me fall in love was creating art out of connection. My inspiration as a photographer comes from YOUR INTENTION WITH ME. My creativity thrives off of raw, intentional, and carefree lovers because when storytelling the in-between moments matter. I want you to enjoy your experience and also deliver a gallery that you can feel. A gallery that takes you back to the exact season you were in while i was photographing you.