What do I wear?

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Believe it or not, your choice of wardrobe in your photos plays a much bigger part than you think. It will have an effect of the overall feel of the photographs. It also can have a role in whether you are happy or unhappy with the outcome of the photos.

 

Let me explain, a gown and/or a suit will give your photos a very formal feel. Jeans and a cute shirt gives casual look. Gym shorts and a t-shirt.....well, lets not even go there, ok? lol

 

Your images are yours and its up to you what type of vibe you want to give off, of course.

 

I want your clothing to flatter you and fit to your liking, so you are comfortable to dancing, twirling and interacting with your kids in a playful manner. Even so you feel free to cuddle with your family for intimate family moments.

 

 

 

Here are some "Rule of Thumb" suggestions:

 

(Spring and Summer Clients: We are in Florida and even if it will be early morning or early evening, it will be HOT! Please keep this in mind when choosing your attire.)

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1. Choose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, light corals, and slate blues.

2. Personally, I love a pop of color, so if your family likes the spunky side of life, choose coordinating colors (but not matchy, matchy). Saturated colors (green, blue, red, purple, orange, yellow & maroon) Bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents are good for that effect.

3. The rule of thumb is if one person wears a pattern, the others would wear solid colors that are pulled off the pattern to complement the look.

4. Avoid large logos and writing on clothing.

5. Think timeless and its always a good idea to ensure outfits match your home decor, after all this is where they will be displayed.

6. Pick a theme....dressy or traditional ...0r do you want to capture your casual, playful, vintage or edgy style? If need be, you can always bring a change of clothes. (FYI: Some locations may not have a dressing room....changing in the car is always an adventure...lol)

7. I don’t recommend too much white- it tends to be over played and with a white sand beach, it just doesn’t do much for most people.

8. For large groups: Pick 2-3 colors and mix them all in. Even layers can add fashion. You can always remove an article of clothing to create a totally different look.

9. hats, scarves, jackets, belts, vests, leggings, tie, layering shirts, boots, etc. Accessories can add style.

10. If you are a "t-shirt" kind of person, new t-shirts look better in pictures than old t-shirts, FYI. Keep in mind wrinkles will show, so spending extra time to iron clothes will pay off.

11. Let's talk ruffles! Windy beaches and ruffles can play havoc on you during our shoot. If ruffles are a must I recommend finding a way to keep them pinned down. 

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CHILDREN AND BABIES

Bright colors, stripes and polka dots! Cute hats, shoes and small props! A flower or cute hat can add a splash of color that makes a photo pop. Avoid bringing snacks that are going to color or get stuck in their teeth. Bring their favorite doll, colorful toy or activity. (Bubbles are magical.) 

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OVERALL

 

DO - Dress cute--flowy dresses and tops, button downs, etc. 

DON'T - Wear really short flowy dresses (it gets really windy at times and areas not intended for showing can be exposed, hello! :))

DO - Bring hair utensils...brush, hair ties, headbands, etc (it gets windy at times, you may need something to fix or hold your hair)

DON'T - Wear black or white or colored undergarments under light colored clothes (they will show through) 

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***Highly suggest you visit my ‘Style And Color Guide’ below.....It has helpful information.***

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STYLE AND COLOR GUIDE

 

 

1. Use a color palette of coordinating colors instead of all wearing the same color, creating a vintage or timeless look.

2. Find an outfit that you love and looks amazing on you and pull from those colors in your outfit to coordinate everyone else.

3. Think texture OVER print. Big, bold and crazy patterns distract from your face, especially in photos. Textures however photograph beautifully and add dimension. Textures are: cable knit, denim, lace (GAH! I love shooting lace), tulle, chiffon, velvet, even fur. Also, if you absolutely must have a print, consider pairing it with a cardigan or a texture to tone the print down around your face.

4. I enjoy photographing women in long flowy dresses and the men in nice pants and a button up. Long flowy dresses photograph beautifully on all women. They give a romantic and timeless feeling to the photos and work well with all body types. 

5. Bringing layers, i.e. boots, hats, sweaters, jackets, scarfs, hair accessories and jewelry, adds a pop of color! Explore ideas! Your session; your style! Just have fun.

6. Have fun with your children's outfits...they look cute in anything! From rain boots to tutus to bow ties to suspenders. Bright colors, mixed and matched patterns! Show off their little personalities!

7. Dress for the season. This is important and you will be more comfortable and your photos will show it! Dress cozy for winter shoots. Layers are always perfect! You can create many different looks with layers! Summer beach shoots are best with the bare feet in the sand!

8. Hair and make up is always suggested for a photo session. Pamper yourself and consider hiring a hair and make up artist. You will feel glamorous and it will show in your photos!

9. If we are in home for a lifestyle session, I suggest neutral and muted colors.

    

AVOID:

1. Orange or pungent coral colors are not recommended for the golden hour sunset sessions. Especially for shirts as they tend to bring out an orange hue on skin tones.

2. Extremely bright colors cause color casts under your chin and the skin of people next to you. It's suggested to wear a more muted version of that color.

3. Thin stripes create a moiré pattern in photos and can be very distracting. They are also very difficult to edit.

4. Clothing with logos, characters, or words can be fun and used in a way that shows off a person’s personality, but many times it can be distracting and take away from overall feel of the photo.

5. I can't stress this enough....avoid clothes that are too tight. We will be walking, jumping, sitting, laying and twirling in our session. You will be uncomfortable and it will show in your photos.

6. Clothes that are too big bunch up and are very unflattering to any body type, especially in photos.

 

COLOR PALETTE GUIDE

 

In case you need assistance with what colors work best together, I’ve provided samples of what colors go well with one another.

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