(Day 29/30 of the 30 day blog challenge. Read more about it here!)

I’m currently trying to decide what I’ll wear for my own couples session with Tony.  It’s next Sunday, and I’m still not sure what I’ll bring.  I’m sure some of you may feel overwhelmed with picking what to wear for your portrait or engagement session, so I thought I’d provide the information that I give to all of my portrait clients right on my site for easy access.  It doesn’t get much better than that!

1. Start by looking through your own closet.

If you’re like me, ladies, (and men!) you feel like you never have anything to wear, or perhaps you feel like you don’t have the perfect outfit.  But, begin your search by looking through your closet and pulling out pieces that you always feel fabulous in.  Think about the colors that make your eyes and skin look luminous and the pieces that you consistently get compliments on.  These are the clothes that you want to focus on when you create your outfits.

If you still want to throw your hands up in the air, ask a friend whose style advice you trust to help you evaluate your outfits.  Chances are he or she may already have a few favorites from your closet and may be able to help you create some awesome outfits.

Of course, you can always go shopping, but I suggest that you don’t try anything dramatically different from what you normally do.  The goal of our session is to capture you as you are now, so why betray that?

2. Avoid bold patterns and logos

This shoot is all about you/you and your significant other.  Strong patterns and logos take the focus away from your face, which is a major bummer.  Stick to solids and quiet patterns, unless you have a layer that you can use over the bold pattern.

3. Layers are awesome

As mentioned above, layers can tone down a strong pattern.  Layers also add more visual interest and variety to an outfit.  They definitely help strengthen outfits!

4. Don’t forget about accessories

Accessories help to pull together and outfit and make it feel more polished.  If you’re not a jewelry kind of gal, then don’t go overboard.  But, if you love jewelry, then now’s the time to break out your favorite necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and other awesome items.

PS – if this is an engagement session, MAKE SURE to clean your engagement ring!  I may take a few photos of the ring, and I want it at maximum sparklage.

5. Textures add visual interest

Texture reads well in photographs, so think about outfits that have interesting textures, such as tweed, leather, silk (although perhaps not all three at once!)

6. Fitted clothes are best

I love drape-y layers, but they’re usually not the best choice for portraits unless you are tiny and don’t mind if they add a bit of extra bulk.  Choose the items in your closet that enhance your figure.

7. Nail polish!

I promise that your hands will be visible in some of your photos, so I suggest that you either get a manicure prior to our session or paint your nails yourself.  If you don’t normally wear polish, just apply a shiny base coat.  I promise, it will make a difference.  The same goes for your toes if they will be showing during your session.

8. Make sure your bra straps do not show!

Make sure to try on all of your outfits prior to your shoot to determine if any of your undergarments show.  If they do, try to come up with an alternative solution, such as a strapless bra.

9. Make sure clothes are harmonious with other outfits in the picture

If your shoot contains more than one person (such as an engagement session), make sure the colors in your outfits are harmonious with one another.  You don’t have to wear matching colors; in fact, please don’t wear the same shade of any color, especially black or white.  But wear colors that look nice right next to each other.  For example, a neon pink dress next to a light red shirt is going to clash badly.

10. Think about what you will be doing with the images

Let’s say that you know you want to purchase a gallery wrap of one of your engagement photos and place it over your living room couch.  You may want to consider the colors already in your living room and pick out colors that will match or compliment it.

11. Consider the location

Different locations call for different outfits.  While you may wear anything you’d like at any location, there’s just something about a dress with a floaty skirt on the beach or in a field, or a structured outfit downtown or on a college campus.  It’s beneficial if your outfits fit the context of the location and it will help your photos feel more authentic.

12. Bring more outfits than you will need.

I know what shoots best, so bring a few extra outfits just in case.  The outfit that you considered a backup may be the perfect outfit for a certain backdrop!

13. When in doubt, ask me!

I love it when my clients send me photos of the outfits they are considering for our shoot.  I’m more than happy to look through them and tell you which ones will look best for our session.

 

And, a few quick tips about makeup and hair:

Makeup: If you had all the time in the world on a normal day to style your makeup, how would you wear it?  Consider this question, and style your makeup according to your answer.  I suggest that you don’t try something radically different from the norm.  You want to look like yourself and you want to look polished.  If you don’t normally wear makeup, then I suggest that you don’t wear anything, except maybe foundation to cover any acne, and mascara, because mascara can really enhance eyes.

It is definitely beneficial to hire a makeup artist to do your makeup for the session, and you’ll feel great and ready to go after being pampered!

Bring your makeup along with you in case we need to touch up anything during our session!

Hair: Ask yourself the same question above– if you had all the time in the world on a normal day to style your hair, how would you wear it?  The same advice above applies to hair, and make sure to bring a brush, hair spray, and bobby pins along just in case they are needed!

I know that I’ve just provided you with a lot of information, but I want you to look AND feel like your best during your session.  And I’m, of course, always here to help– please send me an email if you feel befuddled!