Figuring out what to wear to your next photo shoot is often one of the most stressful parts of having your photos taken. I’ve put together a few of my tried and true tips to helping you and your family look, and most importantly FEEL, your best!

1. Start with YOU. If you are the one researching about photos for your family and coordinating all of the details, chances are that outfits will matter the most to you out of anyone else you are planning for. Pick an outfit that you feel beautiful in and plan the rest of the family from there. Finding something that is flattering on you is the path of least resistance to determining the rest of your family’s coordinating threads. Annual family photos is also an excellent reason to go shopping with a girlfriend (or guy friend). Just sayin’.

2. Don’t over coordinate. The days of everyone wearing a white or black shirt and khaki pants or jeans are long gone. Find outfits that coordinate with similar tones and palates without blending in completely. If everyone is wearing a white shirt and jeans, when you all stand next together you are going to look like one big blob with minimal contrast and distinction between individuals.

3. Accessorize. Accessories are a great and easy way to make your photos pop with color and texture without dominating the image. Necklaces, bracelets, scarves, hats, shoes, handbags, watches — the opportunities are endless. Just be mindful of not over-doing it.

4. Don’t forget about your shoes. While you’re heading out the door, scan your family’s feet to make sure everyone is coordinating. You don’t want anyone to leave the house with those old flip-flops or grubby tennis shoes (unless that’s the look you want). Shoes tend to get overlooked, so it’s best to plan your outfits from head to TOE! If you’re showing off your toes, make sure to give em a coat of fresh polish. Or, get a pedicure!

5. Think about colors. Not sure what color theme to do this time? Get some ideas from your home! What colors do you most often use in decorations? What do you love? How do the colors make you feel? Choosing colors that are already present in your home will help your images look even better when they are on display! Don’t feel pressured to wear the latest trendy colors. Bright neon or glowingly bright colors have been all the trend lately, but often photograph poorly- leaving bright green, pink, or yellow color casts on your skin in shadows.

Want more outfit ideas? Check out some of 2014’s most popular color trends that photograph well. Download your complimentary guide HERE, or scroll below for images.

Wondering what to wear for your engagement photos or senior portrait session? Picking out your clothing options can be the most stressful about photos, but it doesn’t have to be all bad! To help you find YOUR inspiration, we’ve put together this outfit guide to help get your creative juices going.

What is our number one clothing tip? Pick something you feel awesome in. Photo sessions can be a fun excuse to go shopping for a few new fresh items. It’s important to feel confident and/or cute (sorry guys, we know you don’t want to look cute) so you feel great during your session!

Green

Nothing says fresh and new quite like the color green! Green comes in a wide array of shades, ranging from a yellowish, pea-like hue all the way to turquoise! Green looks beautiful combined with earth tones, and therefore makes a wonderful choice for outdoor shoots and backdrops of wood and stone. Even small accents of green, such as jewelry, scarves, or shoes look wonderful with whites and tans.

Indigo

Indigo- or deep blue- is a rich, exceedingly popular color which looks beautiful in almost any setting. Outfits with blue elements create a sense of calm and quiet- perfect for a more introverted couple or natural backdrops. Blue can be dressed up or down to fit your tastes, and can be used either as a main color or accenting in your outfits.

Orange

Orange is a tangy, optimistic color that demands attention! Strong, joyful, and happy, adding orange to your engagement or family session is always a hit on camera. Couples with a more extroverted nature might enjoy orange-themed outfits. Orange also looks wonderful in urban settings, such as against concrete, brick, and stone.

Red

Red is one of, if not the, strongest of colors in the rainbow. A symbol of power, passion, blood, and love, red is a bold and striking color for your session. Since red is truly a brilliant, attention-grabbing color, we recommend peppering your outfit with red accents instead of making red the main color for all garments. Pairing red with denim or darker neutral tones makes for striking images that create lasting impressions on your wall.

Violet

In ancient times, the creation of purple dye was an incredibly lengthy, expensive process. Purple garments became a symbol of wealth and nobility, even royalty; and were sought after world-round. Although violet is now far easier to come by, the color is still associated with its royal roots. A violet-themed outfit exudes playful sophistication and looks great on camera! Small accents of purple, such as scarves and accessories, can also liven up an otherwise muted palette!

Yellow

Ah, yellow! The color of happiness, of light and sunshine. Yellow is a wonderful color to wear in outdoor, buttery natural-light shoots, and looks amazing on camera! Although yellow can be difficult for some to wear because of its tendency to wash out skin tones, patterns with yellow or a single yellow garment in an otherwise neutral palette adds wonders to your images. Adding yellow florals, jewelry, or accents also helps to make your photos go “POP!”. I love yellow!

Have fun picking out your outfits! Feel like staying in touch? We’d LOVE it if you “liked” our Facebook page 🙂