YES!! What you wear MATTER'S!!
I have a hard time making decisions when I have too many options to choose from. If you also struggle with this and/or you have no idea what you should wear to our photo session, then this guide is for you!! The most important thing—Your outfit should look and feel like YOU!
Since finding the perfect outfit is just as important as choosing the location and the time of the day, I decided to put together this guide to help you better prepare for your session!
PSA–I am most definitely NOT a fashion expert by any means, so keep in mind these are all just things to consider when choosing your outfits for your session!!
Let's talk outfits
Choosing what you will wear for your photos is a huge decision that can make or break your portrait session! I know that sounds dramatic... but, if you wear something that isn’t comfortable or something that you don’t feel confident in...it can ruin the experience for you! So, here are the two MOST IMPORTANT things to consider when choosing your outfits:
Your outfit should reflect YOU! Wear something that looks and feels like you.
BE COMFORTABLE! I always say, “If you feel uncomfortable, you’ll look uncomfortable.” So the more comfortable you feel in your clothes, the more you’ll love your photos!!
pleaseee be comfy!!
It’s SO NORMAL to want to shop for new clothes to wear to your session, and that’s okay! But always prioritize wearing an outfit you know you’ll feel good in and will match your personality. There is no reason to dress up all fancy if you aren't used to it and it doesn’t feel like you.
AGAIN I always say “If you feel uncomfortable, you’ll look uncomfortable" — and that means you probably won’t love your photos... and we definitely don’t want that!
I recommend wearing clothes that you already own and that you KNOW will make you look and feel good - even if it's a simple dress or a pair of jeans with a cute top! The more you feel like yourself, the more comfortable you will be during the session and that's going to make a huge difference in the photos you will be taking!!
MATCH YOUR OUTFIT TO THE LOCATION & SEASON!! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
Plan your outfits around what you know about the conditions at the location we’ll be shooting at. You’ll want to stay warm (or cool) enough, have comfortable feet, and look like you belong in the location we’re in.
For example, a fancy gown will look out of place next to a barn, or wearing a sundress in the snow will just make you look crazy SO let’s aim to capture you authentically wherever you are.
If you know we are going to be climbing hills and walking far, bring appropriate and comfortable shoes. If we're shooting at the beach, wear sandals or NO SHOES AT ALL!
Dress for the weather, too. If it’s cold or rainy, wear layers to stay warm and match the moodiness of the sky. If it’s hot, choose lightweight, breathable clothing to keep cool and comfortable. Trust me, staying comfortable makes all the difference in how much you enjoy your session.
If you don’t have to worry about heels, tight blouses, or restrictive outfits, you’ll be more present and have more fun during the experience. So PLEASE think through your clothing choices logically based on location, vibe, and comfort level.
Colors
Stick with neutrals if you can. I LOVE neutrals because they are timeless and you can't EVER go wrong. This doesn’t mean limiting yourself to just black, white, or beige—just avoid very bright colors. Think of subtle, “autumn-like” tones instead.
For example, instead of:
red – go with burgundy or red wine color
yellow – go with a mustard or ochre
blue – go with navy or Prussian blue
green – go with olive or army green
One trick is to match the tones and colors of your outfit with elements in the environment. This creates more of a cohesive feel without any distractions. But don’t blend in too much—opt for complementary colors that stand out just enough!
Patterns
Patterns can be tricky!! They only work if they make sense! They need to compliment your outfit, match the location, and they need to BLEND IN!!!
If the location of our session has a busy background with lots of textures and shapes, I recommend avoiding patterns and choosing a simpler outfit to stand out, and vice versa. Not all patterns are not bad!! Just keep them simple. I would stay away from BIG & BOLD patterns unless it is very INTENTIONAL.
Also—(to my guy seniors) Try to stay away from wearing shirts with big logos and prints since those can really be distracting!! For example, please don't wear a black shirt with a giant white Nike logo on it!
ACCESSORIES
We love accessories but KEEP IT simple! Don't let the accessories be the star of the show unless it is INTENTIONAL. Hats and scarves are great but please only wear those if that is what you love and what makes you feel good! (Cowboy hats are always welcome).
Avoid wearing watches (especially smart/apple watches)—I often use hands in poses, so anything that sticks out can be distracting!
HAIR & MAKEUP
When it comes to hair and makeup, keep it YOU. The goal is to look and feel like yourself. If you don’t usually wear much makeup, don’t feel pressured to layer it on. Avoid trying new trends right before the shoot—stick to what you know makes you feel amazing!! This goes back to being comfortable: do your hair and makeup the way you KNOW will make you feel good!!
If you decide to have your hair and makeup professionally done, make sure to schedule it at least an hour in advance to the moment you would have to leave for the shoot so you don't risk being late!
PROPS
Props are a great way to spice up your session and make it more you. Whether it’s a sport, hobby, or just something you love, adding a prop or two can help tell your story and give your hands something to do in photos (which helps with nerves too!).
Just remember: only bring props that actually feel like you. If it doesn’t make sense or feels cringey, skip it! But if it’s part of your everyday life or something you're proud of, bring it and let’s show it off. Here are a few ideas..
Couples/Family:
+ A blanket or chair to sit on
+ Items that relate to an activity you love to do together!
+ Your favorite drinks! Maybe a glass of wine or a case of something tasty!
+ Maternity sessions: Any ultrasound photos, baby clothes, stuffed animals or anything that reminds you of this time!!
Seniors/Portraits:
+ A bouquet to give your hands something to do
+ Your pup, skateboard, vintage car — anything that screams YOU
+ Favorite books, art supplies or a Polaroid camera (yes please!)
+ Sports gear: jersey, ball, maybe even a letterman's jacket!
+ Musical instruments (guitar, violin, drumsticks — you name it!)
+ Need help deciding what works best? I’m always here to help brainstorm!
Complement each other, don’t match each other.
In large groups or family photos, choose a color scheme and find complementary outfits with different colors, textures, accessories, patterns, and tone!.
Avoid wearing identical outfits that can make everyone look like twins—unless that’s your goal! When multiple people wear the exact same color it can sometimes blend together SO much to the point of when you look at your photos all you see are the matching outfits and not the people wearing those outfits. (We don't want these to look like a JCPenny AD)
SESSION DAY TIPS
The big day is here! To make the most of your session and feel your absolute best in front of the camera, here are a few tips to help you prepare and feel your best during your session:
Get plenty of rest
You’ve probably heard this a million times, but seriously — a good night’s sleep makes all the difference. You’ll feel more energized, your skin will look fresh, and your mood will be lifted. Trust me, well-rested YOU = confident YOU in front of the camera.
stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water in the 24 hours leading up to your session. It helps your skin glow, keeps you feeling good, and prevents that dry-lips situation (especially important if you’re wearing lipstick or gloss!).
prep your outfits & props
Try on everything (including accessories) before your session to make sure it fits and looks the way you want it to!! Pack any extra outfits in a way that prevents wrinkles — hang them up if possible!! I will send you a session check list a few days before your session so you don't forget anything! :)
arrive early
Give yourself extra time to get to the location so you’re not feeling rushed or flustered! Arriving early also give you time to do any last minute touch ups in the car!
trust the process
You don’t have to know how to pose — that’s my job! I will give you fun poses & prompts. I will even tell you where your hands and feet should go. I promise I will guide you every step of the way, all you have to do is show up as your best self!!
the three takeaways
01
Your outfit should reflect YOU!
Wear something that looks and feels like you.
02
Be COMFORTABLE!
Again“If you feel uncomfortable, you’ll look uncomfortable.” The more comfortable you feel in your clothes, the more confident you’ll be!!
03
Make it Make Sense!
Make sure your outfits, accessories and props matches the location & vibe you are going for!!
I am so excited & i hope you are too!
My job isn’t just to take pretty photos — it’s to make sure you feel seen, celebrated, and completely yourself throughout the experience.
So here’s your only real job: show up as YOU. I’ll take care of the rest — the posing, the direction, the angles, the vibe — allll of it. If you ever feel unsure or nervous, it's okay!! That’s normal! Just know I got you!!!
I hope you feel more prepared for our session together after reading this!! PLEASEEEE reach out if you have any questions AT ALL! That’s what I’m here for! :))