What to wear for my photo session?

I get this question over and over again. What to wear for my photo session? And by right it is very important to question to ask! Those portraits will be hanging on your walls for years to come, so it is quite important that you look and feel your absolute best. This blog details a few hints an idea on how to decide what to wear for your photo session

The first question to ask your self is what colour you will be wearing, or what colour theme you want. 

Deciding on a colour seems so simple, yet it can be so daunting. Read on, to get a few hints on how you can find a colour that fits you. 

Individual portraits – what to wear:

If you are doing individual portraits, for instance you have booked a Women’s Beauty Session then you pretty much have free reins in what colours to wear, as you don’t have to consider matching other family members. 

Hints for picking your colour and outfit for individual portraits: 

• Wear colours that suit you. Most people have a good idea about which colours suit them, and consciously or subconsciously have those colours as the main part of their wardrobe. Or you can go for a colour analysis (more about this later) to get help determining what colour you are. 
• Have a ‘safe option’ – a colour that you love and often wear. Of course you can also have fun and try different colours and dresses from the studio wardrobe after. Sometimes you will be surprised what looks good on you. But make sure you have your safe option!
• Pick a cut and a style you are comfortable with. Don’t pick something with too low cleavage or short skirt (unless you are going for that look). If you like to cover your arms, cover them. Do what makes you comfortable. 
• Don’t buy new outfits or dresses the day before. It is better to be photographed in clothes you have worn before, so you are sure you are comfortable in them.

Family portraits – what to wear:

If you have booked a family portrait session or a mummy and me session, then you need to decide on outfits for all of you. This is something most people find very challenging.

Many sites and photographers recommend ‘jeans and white tops’ or ‘all neutral’ (beige, cream, white). And of course you can’t go wrong if you do that. It is a safe option for sure. And it is definitely better than not being colour coordinated! If you have a lot of people in the portrait and you stress about them not bringing the colour you ask them to, then wearing white tops can be the solution

You can also spice up the white top look by closing a bit of an eye catching background colour. This works really well to spice up an image where people are all dressed in white.

However, you can do so much more with colours to create an incredible harmonic family portrait. It looks absolutely amazing when people are colour coordinated but not identical. Matching colours is an art and requires some planning and thinking. But when it is perfected, it is absolutely beautiful, and nothing beat a colour coordinated family portrait.

Pastel colours are great. Or you can go beige, gold, bronze….

Personally I love contrasty colours and when mastered it creates an incredible powerful portrait

Where to start when deciding the colour theme for my photo session:

I suggest you start with yourself (assuming that 99% of people reading this are women/mothers). Decide on a colour that you like and that looks good on you, then fit the rest of the family members around that colour scheme. 

Lets say you pick a warm blue, then children and husband should match that. By matching, I mean finding tones that compliments your chosen colour. And example could be blue and yellow which is very complimentary  

Or perhaps you have a lovely orange dress you want to wear, in which case you can consider an autumn scheme of colours for the entire family.

Hints for picking your colour and outfit for group and family portraits: 

• Start by looking what you have in your wardrobe and built it up around that. Pick one base colour that you love and add colours. You can find lots of ideas here https://coolors.co put in one colour and the site will suggest matching colours. 
• Less is more. If you don’t know how to complement different colours. Just keep it simple. Go for 2-3 shades of the same colour, like all in blues or all in pastel. 
• By new outfits in advance. Wear them before the shoot, to make sure everybody are comfortable. 
• Make sure all clothes fit. Discomfort is shown in the face immediately. 
• If you have kids, discuss with them what they will be wearing (Yes, I have witnessed quite a few meltdowns by kids that refused to wear the new dress mummy bought for the shoot)!
• NO logos or big print on clothing
• Block colours are best, too many patterns and flowers in family portraits is very overwhelming. 

What colour suits you?

Finding a colour that suits you is not that simple. Most people I know have a colour they think suit them or a favourite colour. However, there is so much more to colours than a ‘favourite colour’. 

I recently went for a personal colour analysis with Jo Watering, the owner of Colour Capsule in Singapore. Jo is a colour expert. It is her job to help people find their ideal colour scheme. 

I went for my colour analysis, determined that I am a ‘blue person’ and as long as I wear blue, I am fine. However, within an hour with Jo, I had learnt that I am in fact what the professionals call ‘warm spring’. yes, there are shades of blue in ‘warm spring’ but there are so many other shades and colours that fit me. Colours that I have never considered as ‘mine’. But colours that do in fact look great on me.

101 colour theory:

To be added

I got the colours sorted, now what

If you got the colours sorted, you are 90% done. It really is the hardest part. And if you struggle with it, I would recommend you to check out what Jo Watering can do for you. Your colour won’t ever change, so if you have one consultation helping you to find your colour, it will benefit you for the rest of your life, and make clothes shopping so much easier. 

You got your colour, all you have to do is find an outfit. And please please start with your own wardrobe. There is a very good chance you have an outfit with your chosen colour, and there is no need to give more support to the clothing industry just because you got for a photoshoot. As said earlier, it is about the colour and feeling comfortable. NOT about the brand and new clothes. 

Although if you want an excuse to get a new dress, then absolutely tell your husband that Theresa told you to get it for the shoot 🙂

Pick something that fits you 

I very strongly recommend you to were something you feel comfortable in. Don’t think you can suck in the tummy for the entire shoot. And if you are conscious about your legs, then don’t wear a mini skirt. 

I can of course photoshop you, but that is not the purpose of the shoot, and no matter how much I photoshop your tummy or your legs…. Your facial expression will 100% show you are not comfortable. And then what is a flat photoshopped tummy, if you look uncomfortable?

Ask Theresa for help

It is in my very best interest that you feel good about your colours and outfits. I am very happy to advice and would love to see what you the chosen before the session, as it helps me prepare for the session. Send me a screenshot of your colour theme and lets chat about it!

There is also a good chance I can help you with the dresses for ladies and girls. 80% of the dresses worn in the portraits in this post are from my studio wardrobe! So feel free to come and check out what I have and have a chat about your shoot.