Friday, January 17, 2014

Outfit Planning: What to Wear for a Photo Session

I'm all for being natural and comfortable.  I'm a huge fan of the shirt-jeans-sneaks combo myself.  But it doesn't hurt if one puts a little bit of effort into planning an outfit, especially for a photo session.  

In the 90's to the early 2000's (Darn, I'm one of those guys who still think of the 1990's when I hear the phrase '10 years ago'), coordinating outfits meant wearing the same colours.  White shirt and khakis or black tops and jeans, you know the gist.  Doing that in photo sessions nowadays would definitely make your photos look dated.


So here's a little guide for when you think about putting together your family's photo session outfits.



1. No brand names and huge brand logos please. 

I know Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch make comfy and stylish clothes.  But you wouldn't want the giant GAP and A&F letters take the center stage.  It's better to go plain or patterned when choosing a top (or bottom, for that matter) so the attention wouldn't stray away from your lovely faces.


2. Don't be afraid of colour! 
I mentioned plain, but that doesn't always mean just white or black.  I love seeing bold and bright colours.  It not only brings out the colour of one's eyes and hair, it also makes one stand out from the background.  
Now you don't have to wear all the same colors.  The key to is COORDINATE, not match.  Pick a color, then build your wardrobe around it.  To help you visualize, here's a color wheel:




Image from http://loriputnampaints.blogspot.co.nz/


The colours that are across from each other are complimentary.  So if you plan to wear blue, orange would be a good complimentary colour.  The colours that are beside each other are monochromatic.  Monochromatic colours make a good combo, too.  So if the girls decide to wear Red Violet (or plum), Dad and Mom could wear something along the lines of Violet and Violet Blue.

3. Layers are for all seasons.
Layers add interest and create depth.  If a cardigan is too hot for a summer day, throw in a shawl.  Accessories are a plus too! Wear a necklace or a bangle to pop in some style.  A fedora would look cute, if hats are your thing.

4. Comfort and Confidence above all.
Should you wear your body hugging top? Not if you're conscious of your love handles.  You think you have big arms?  Hide them in sleeves.  I'm willing to bet they're not as huge as you think.  But if it makes you uncomfy, let's do something about it.  I want you to enjoy the photo session and not spend half the time worrying if you look fat.  

Here are a few of my favorites:















Still feeling lost on what to wear? Email me at cartwheelimages@gmail.com and let's have an outfit consultation.  I'll hold your hand through the entire process :)


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