A little cliché? Perhaps. But when it comes
to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the
finished product.
Before
we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:
1. Brand New I’m down
with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as
long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.
2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive Unless
it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on
the bling). If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like
you have to be one for your session.
3. Matching No need to
focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the
stripes in your socks. In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t. If you’re
heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably
not your girl!
4. Stressful No need to
worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each
accessory. This is supposed to be fun. If you’re unsure – call me, and
together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous. I promise.
I
want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know
that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you
choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:
Feels Good. During your shoot you could be sitting in a
pile of leaves on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with
your family, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing
that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.
As
for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable,
and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.
Bottom
Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy,
scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a
nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.
Looks Good. This can be tricky, looking good is totally
subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life,
you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or
your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has
plans in place to help.
Sometimes
last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy.
Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes
outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for
photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch
with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.
Bottom
Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your
outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about
you love, love, loving the end result.
Makes Sense. Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s
not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and
feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the
desired mood for your portraits.
Glup.
That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and
remember, don’t stress).
Before
you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation
to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect
location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes
together in the finished photograph. I’m with you every step of the way.
Bottom
Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace
Christmas dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite
Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll
likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and
plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best
steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. (unless Mom is
really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to
it).
(used
with permission from Jeanette LeBlanc)
