POV: You’ve booked your photo session, whether it be a family session with littles or an engagement session with your other half, and you’re so excited for it! But you start thinking of what to wear and you haven’t the slightest idea or how to style you and the rest of your family!

No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some tips to help you get prepared for your session outfits. If you book a session with me, you will get all of these tips and SO much more in my 40+ page Style Guide!

Style Tips for Her:

If you’re trying to decide if you want to wear a dress or not, I say “SAY YES TO THE DRESS!” There’s no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your portrait session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body.

Now despite what some people say, I’d guess a majority of women have an area of her body that she’s self conscious about. Recognizing the areas you’re self conscious about when selecting your outfits is key. You want to choose an outfit that you FEEL comfortable in. If you choose an outfit that you feel so comfortable in, you are going to absolutely GLOW in your photos! PRO TIP: if your area of concern is your arms, three-quarter length sleeves can create a slimming effect on all types of arms! If your dress has short or no sleeves, consider bringing a cute jacket, cardigan, etc. to incorporate into your look.

Shoes! Heels elongate women’s legs and force constant tension in the calves which can make them look more toned. Closed-toed heels, in particular, look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. You can never go wrong with a pair of neutral pumps! If you’re not a heel person but want to wear them for your session, make sure to bring a pair of flats, flip flops, sneakers, etc. to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will thank you later!

Style Tips for Him:

The same way that a dress is the most flattering silhouette for the female body, a blazer, sport coat or jacket has the same flattering effect for men. You can’t go wrong with a dress shirt, slacks and a blazer. Long sleeves are more flattering than short sleeves on men, so if you don’t want to wear a jacket, maybe opt for a long sleeve button down instead!

Another great tip for men’s outfits is layering! Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, it’s worth an hour or two of being hot for photos that will last you a lifetime. Adding extra layers will bring additional dimension and visual interest to your photos. If the temperature permits, you could consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath, or bringing a leather or denim jacket with you. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!

Long pants with closed-toed shoes is the most sophisticated and masculine look for a man. They draw attention away from your legs and feet, and place it where you want it: on your face! So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts and sandals at home. Dress pants, colored pants or nice dark- washed jeans work best. Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look, whether you’re wearing slacks, colored pants or dark washed jeans. As opposed to athletic shoes, dress shoes, help elevate your photos and will give them a more editorial look.

Choosing your outfit colors:

The camera LOVES sophisticated colors! I recommend light colors, neutrals, earth tones, soft pastels or jewel tones. You can never go wrong with light neutral earth tones colors like cream, taupe, camel or light gray. The camera also loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light-colored neutrals. That softer, more neutral color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments and keeps the focus right where it should be, on you!

If you’re still stuck and not sure where to start of can’t visualize what all of this would look like, check out my blog post on Winter Outfit Inspiration!