What to Wear for Your Photo Shoot

I'd like to tell you a bit about myself and my mission as a Palm Coast photographer so you know what to expect during your session.

My goal is for you to have as much fun as possible while being photographed, have good laughs with your loved ones, allow me to document who you are so you could have stylish, timeless portraits to enjoy forever. As a Palm Coast portrait photographer, I will stop time and capture moments that will become your priceless memories. I want your experience to be fun and relaxing from start to finish and I'm always available to chat about your ideas as well! All you need to do is prepare for a great time! You can expect to relax and enjoy yourselves in front of the camera. We believe family photography should be playful and feel natural, so we can capture those perfect moments, genuine personalities, and authentic connections. My photographic style embodies real moments that tell your family's story. With an eye for authentic moments and unique perspectives, I capture photos that are beautiful, intimate, and emotional.

Family Photo Session Tips:

I’d be lying if I said family photos are never stressful, but with the right preparation, they won’t be! Here are a few tried-and-true solutions that have worked well for my clients on family photo day, and I hope they help you as well.

The key is to plan in advance and know what to expect, so that on the day of your session, you can be present and fully enjoy the time with your family! My clients often tell me that they had no idea a photo session could be so fun, and I want you to feel that way too!

Here are my top 12 tips for a meltdown-free family photo shoot:

There’s nothing more stressful than trying to get out the door and realizing you have nothing to wear. Plan your outfits well in advance so that you’ll know if something doesn’t fit or needs ironing. And speaking of clothes, it’s a good idea to layer your outfits so that you have outerwear on hand if it’s chilly — and you can take off that coat if we end up with an unusually warm day! Have your clothing chosen way in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? If they are soft and elegant? Choose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics - think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors (but not matchy) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents. Adding fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add a modern twist and sassy flair to your images.

Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. The best time for lighting is the two hours before sunset and after sunrise. If this is a bad time for your children, talk with your photographer. Good photographers will be able to shoot at any time of day by utilizing areas of open shade that will give your skin a beautiful hue and put a sparkle in your eyes. Don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. I meet many families who come to a photo session with dinner scheduled at the end. If this is your plan, be sure to give everyone a healthy snack before the photo shoot.

Moms are often rushing around before a photo shoot, making sure that their family is dressed and ready. I always encourage mothers to have their hair and makeup professionally done. This will prepare a mom for her pictures and when the mom is feeling pretty and confident, this will reflect on the rest of the family as well. Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo session rushed and disorganized, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganized session. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door.

Dads, please cheerfully participate. I know that many dads dread the family photo session, but fathers, please understand how important capturing your family is. These images will be left as a legacy, when your children are grown, with families of their own some day. Family photos are treasured forever and they are so important. Please, please, dads… cheerfully participate in your family photo session. Once you see your happy wife and amazing photographs, you will be so glad that you gave this time to your family.

Please, parents, leave the “cheese” at home. Cheese is for crackers. So many times I have found parents who stand behind the photographer and scream, “Say cheese to the lady kids!” Yelling and demanding young children to look at the camera to smile will only stress your children out (not to mention the photographer) and will result in strained, unnatural and often unflattering photographs. Step back, and allow the photographer to naturally interact and talk with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. Help the photographer capture the true essence of your child’s personality by talking with and coaxing out those smiles naturally and easily.

Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air. Give your wife a sweet kiss on the check. Tell your husband how much you love him and appreciate him for being there for your family. Have fun. Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. Doing these things will allow the photographer to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. Leave the stiff “cheese” faces for Aunt Marge at the next family reunion. Show your photographer who you really are, so that she has the opportunity to capture your love through her lens.

My most successful family sessions have incorporated an activity that the family loves to do together. This gives you something to do with your hands and feet, engages the little ones, and brings an authentic smile to your face. Do you love to read together? Bring some books. Is your favorite dessert ice cream? Bring some ice cream bars or drumsticks to your session or better yet - hire an ice cream truck to come to your session. Love to play board games or cards? Plan to play a round of Uno or Monopoly during your family photo session. Other ideas include: football, piggy back rides, races, bike riding, hiking, singing, picnics; the ideas are endless. When families are engaged in doing something that they love together, the photographer will have the opportunity to take some beautiful and authentic photographs.

It may sound cliché, but after all, your love for your family is probably the reason you wanted family photos in the first place! In the end, it’s not about what clothes you wore, or what location you chose, or how much you weighed. It’s about capturing what life is like right now. It’s about snuggling, tickling, and playing. It’s about showing your children how much you love them so that they have these memories 20 years down the road.The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is engaged or interacting with each other. Understand that not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. If you are engaged as a family and loving on each other, your eyes will be on your family members and your smile with be natural. These are the photographs that you will cherish most because they depict your family connection and your love.

All professional family photographers have seen their fair share of meltdowns, and we work through them every time! Please don’t get mad at your kids if they’re “not behaving.” The best thing you can do is model positivity and let me interact with them naturally. A great image only takes a millisecond to capture, so we’re probably getting a lot more great material than you think! Kids (and even babies) pick up on their parents’ stress levels, so laugh it off and know that happier moments are soon to come. And sometimes, that temper tantrum ends up turning into a hilarious image that you’ll cherish for years to come!

Nothing spoils a child’s good mood (or dad’s for that matter) faster than too many clothing changes, too many locations, and too many props. I know it’s tempting to get caught up in those perfect Pinterest photos, but the best images happen spontaneously as a result of your unique family relationships. When we’re not working off of a checklist, we’ll have more time to create organic images that you’ll love. Try to limit your top priorities to one or two things (ex: a family photo and a sibling photo).

Instead of telling your kids that we’re going to have photos taken, tell them that we’re going to have an adventure and go play with Miss Marina (or whoever your photographer is). It’s the truth!

A lollipop, favorite toy, or trip for ice cream can make a huge difference in attitude! Just make sure to save it until after the session — once the bribe comes out, it’s really hard to put it away without tears.

• Here’s a simple checklist to make sure you’re ready with everything you need:
• Comfy walking shoes
• Something to sit on (blanket / quilt)
• Backup clothing (dirt / spit-up / food happens!)
• Lint roller if you have pets
• Your child’s favorite toy
• Food and water for snack breaks
• Keys / phones out of pockets
• Scrunchies / fitbit / sports watch removed from wrists
• Kids’ noses and eyes wiped
• Clothing ironed

WANT A FAIL-PROOF FORMULA? Put most of the family in different neutral shades (i.e. ivory, gray, beige) and then add a few pops of coordinating color. See the sample palettes further down this post!

It’s way easier to visualize the whole puzzle once you know what one piece looks like! Try starting with mom or daughter, since women’s clothing tends to have more colors and prints.

The day of all white shirts and khaki pants are long past! We want colors that generally complement each other: so for instance, soft colors (light blue, gray, blush) or warm colors (brown, orange, burgundy). If you want colorful images, then you should choose a more vivid color scheme for your outfits!

Generally, solids work best.

Pops of pattern can definitely look great, but if you’re looking for a fail-proof family combination, go with solids. To keep things from looking boring, include textures (think chunky knits, tulle, lace, etc). Avoid tiny prints, especially small plaid and small stripes.

Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be! All you need for an awesome family session is one outfit for everyone. Changing outfits will take time away from your shoot and can put your kids in a grumpy mood.

If you’re planning to hang your images in your living room that’s decorated in all white, you probably don’t want your clothing to be dark. If you’re hanging them in a colorful nursery, then wear vivid outfits.

Nothing is worse than being miserably uncomfortable in a perfect outfit. If you’re planning an outdoor session in November, think about coats, gloves, and hats. In the summer, dress in layers that you can easily take off if you get too hot.

These are often the forgotten last element, but they can really make or break your outfits! If you can’t find shoes you love, consider going barefoot (just bring walking shoes to get from point A to point B). Steer away from athletic shoes and bright white sneakers.

Check your outfits from all possible angles in the mirror, not just the one you like best. Try sitting, squatting, leaning forward, etc. The kids’ clothes should work well in motion so that we can play during your session (think flying, tickling, and hanging upside down).

If your daughter hates wearing dresses, don’t force her to wear one for picture day. If your son thinks that bowtie is uncomfortable, ditch it. Happy kids make for happy photos!

Above all, if you feel good, you will look good! Choose clothing that gives you freedom of movement, keeps you warm / cool, and won’t require a lot of maintenance throughout your session.

Add some visual interest to your images with unique fabrics. Some examples: lace, cable knits, chambray, tweed, herringbone, chambray, faux fur, wool.

Don’t be scared of patterns and prints! They can work great in moderation. Try one statement piece (for instance, a colorful floral dress for mom) and one subtle pattern (maybe polka dots for baby girl), and then keep the rest of the family more simple. Large prints and patterns work best – I recommend avoiding small plaid / stripes.

These are the quickest way to take your outfits from average to amazing! Think scarves, blazers, cardigans, belts, jewelry, fun socks, and hats.

We don’t want your clothing to be too baggy or too tight. Properly fitted clothing looks put together and will show your shape. For women, your upper half and lower half should be balanced: so for instance, blousy shirt + skinny pants, or tight shirt + flowing skirt.

Try to steer away from current trends, since they’ll date your photos 10 years from now.

Let your clothing match your surroundings. A tuxedo or formal dress will look out of place in the woods.

If you love white, try off-white or ivory instead.

Black and dark navy / brown / gray should all be avoided, since they tend to darken the overall feel of your photos and keep them from feeling bright and airy.

These create skin tone / color cast issues.

I.e. bright red, bright yellow, etc. Instead, try more muted versions of the same color: so for instance, replace bright red with dark red; replace bright yellow with mustard, etc.

Words will draw attention away from your faces.

If you wear glasses every day, please wear them in your shoot! However, lens glare and shaded lenses will keep your eyes from being seen. You can have anti-reflective coating added to your lenses or wear just the frames.

Self-explanatory! Please avoid at all cost!

Even if you’re planning to use these images for your holiday cards, steer away from holiday-colored clothing and let your card design incorporate those instead. That way you’ll be able to enjoy your images year-round!

Button-down or structured shirts with thicker material generally look better in photos. If you have a t-shirt you love, try layering a cardigan or blazer on top.

These don’t always translate well in-camera.

• Maxi and midi dresses
• Fitted tops tucked into long skirts
• A-line dresses / coats
• Skinny jeans
• Tunic-length shirts, either fitted or flowy
• Cardigan / blazer over fitted shirt
• Scarves
• Ankle boots
• Riding boots

SAY NO TO:

• Very dark colors like black and dark navy
• Strapless / sleeveless tops and dresses (unless you love your arms)
• Heels (hard to play in – if you decide to wear them, stick to chunky heels or ankle boots)
• Dresses above knee-length (hard to play with the kids and keep it pulled down)
• Short shirts + low-cut jeans (same thing)
• Stripes and plaid
• Low-cut shirts
• Baggy clothes (fitted is generally more flattering)
• Very chunky knits (they can make you look larger than you are)
• Cheap / flimsy fabrics
• Necklaces (hard to keep in place – earrings are a safer bet)

• Shirts designed to be worn untucked (it’s really hard to keep shirts tucked in when you’re playing with your kids)
• Blazers
• Chino pants / shorts
• Button-downs with sleeves rolled up to elbows
• Sweaters layered over collared shirts, especially if they’re textured (think chunky knits)
• Slim-fit jeans
• Leather shoes / boots, boat shoes, Converse and Vans
• Cardigans

• Short-sleeved polos (instead try short-sleeved button-downs)
• Small prints like plaid and stripes – solids are a better choice
• Formal button-down shirts – keep it more casual with untucked button-downs and relaxed fabrics
• Baggy shorts / pants
• Athletic shoes
• Cargo shorts
• White t-shirts and shirts
• Undershirts that show
• Phones / wallets in pockets

Everything listed for mom, plus these optional accessories: headbands, hats, bows, rain boots, tights.

Visible diaper / underwear (try shorts or bloomers under dresses), neon, athletic shoes or character shoes.

Everything listed for dad, plus these optional accessories: suspenders, bow tie, caps, high-top sneakers / Vans.

Tank tops, neon, shirts that have to stay tucked in (look for shirts designed to be worn untucked), visible diaper, athletic shoes or character shoes (Disney, etc.)

It speaks casual, carefree and simple. Steer clear of screen print t-shirts unless it is a message that you want screaming in your photo. Otherwise the focus deters from you to the print on your shirt.

Guy, let’s step it up for one outfit beyond the jeans and t-shirt. Bring a button-up shirt.

Its fun to bring those cuffs up around your face to give a comfy and warm feel.

SUNDRESSES 

What speaks warm weather and fun better than a cute sundress? Be sure to pay attention to the straps, how it fits you on top, and the length. There are only so many poses we can do with a skirt or dress that barely covers our bottom.

FORMAL DRESS 

Why not take the dress out of the closet for one more event? We can go fun and light, or glamorous and dramatic! Formal dresses can be a great flare to help you figure out what to wear to your senior photo shoot!

We all know those jackets cost a pretty penny, bring it! Just another way to showcase your awesomeness!

ACCESSORIES 

If you normally wear bracelets, necklaces, earrings and sport a hat or a belt, be sure to incorporate these! Your senior portrait session is a great excuse to jazz it up even more if you’d like. Know which necklace and earrings you will wear with each outfit and have it all planned out and organized well before your session. If you don’t normally wear accessories, then don’t go overboard. The photos are about YOU. If your style doesn’t scream fashion, then don’t wear attention-grabbing accessories as it will take the focus away from you.

This is a super easy way to throw in a pop of color without an entire wardrobe change.

SHOES 

Be sure to bring the appropriate pair of shoes for each outfit. We would obviously wear a different pair of shoes for a casual outfit than a more formal one. If you are planning on wearing heals, bring flip flops to walk around in. We typically walk a mile or two during our session, give your feet a break!

Super fond of a particular sport? Are you known for your athletic accomplishments? Maybe wearing your cheer uniform or team jersey fits right up your alley. Show it off! Be loud and be proud!

1. Wear Clothes That Make You Feel Like You 

The number one rule is - you should feel comfortable in the outfits you choose; you should still look like yourselves but at your best. Wardrobe choices that are extremely outside your level of comfort will make you look and feel awkward in photos. If you want a really elegant or something different than your everyday, classic you style, also bring a change of clothes to get an outfit that looks like you. I think that pictures should showcase you and your true authentic self. If this means buying an outfit that isn’t your normal look but you feel your very best in and is totally your style, go for it!

Complement your partner's look but avoid from matching outfits and patterned prints; it’s not an ideal look for portrait sessions. When deciding how you and your partner will dress, look for complementary colors and solid prints. Try to stay away from anything too busy, as it can be an unnecessary distraction in photos. Avoid loud and busy patterns and large logos. 

 You'll definitely want to avoid anything neon. Bright colors attract attention away from the face and may be reflective. Avoid wearing red, bright pink, green, or orange. While red is the color your eye is drawn to immediately, you don't necessarily want your shirt or skirt to be the focus of your photograph. You want your faces and the love between you to stand out. I suggest wearing pastels, cool hues, or neutrals, then adding a bright accent with your accessories.

Once you have an idea of what colors you'll be wearing in your engagement shoot, consider how that color will translate throughout the entire album. For example, if you love light blue, you can wear this as a dress or a jumpsuit, then have your partner incorporate the same hue in a later look during the shoot to tie everything together without being overly matchy.

Accessories such as a stylish scarf or a necklace is a plus to any engagement look; they're easy to slip on and off, which means you'll be able to style a variety of looks. Adding in at least one accessory per outfit for the ladies, and wearing layers of clothing for the guys, are two things that photograph well because it adds more visual interest to their looks. If you have something that means something to you, incorporate it into your pictures! Make it tasteful.

You may love that black-and-white maxi dress now, but next year you may only be reminded of a referee when you see yourself in head-to-toe stripes. I always recommend looks that will remain timeless, rather than outfits that could make your images feel dated a few years down the road. Try to avoid short sleeve clothing and definitely shorts pants!

Remember that this is not a fashion shoot, these are the pictures where you get to remember who you are at the end of the day when it's only the two of you. Two outfits are more than enough and it ensures you won't spend your entire engagement session in a rush to change into the next set of clothes. 

Clothing looks best when it fits properly and accentuates your assets. When choosing outfits, pay attention to your body type and what areas of your body you like to accentuate. Check out the tips below:

• Pear-Shaped: To show off your curves, focus on cinching the waist with an A-line silhouette that flares at the bottom.
• Apple-Shaped: An A-line style with a gradual flow from the waist to the legs is always flattering. This shape is also great for a dress with texture and/or a deep V-neck.
• Busty: Scoop and sweetheart necklines offer support and open up the décolletage so the focus is on the face rather than the bust.
• Small Chest: Look for textured or ruched styles to create fullness in the chest area.
• Plus Size: Engagement photos featuring an empire-waist dress are Martini's go-to. They're super flattering and emphasize the smallest portion under the bust, creating the effect of a slender silhouette from top to bottom.

Take advantage of the season you're in by styling a look that's in tune with the climate and location. Think about where you will go. Dress to the occasion and the season. If you are going out in the woods, maybe don’t wear heels. If you do want to wear some nice shoes, bring a change of shoes with you so you don’t have trouble walking around in the dirt and stones! You want to enjoy this time and make it as stress free as possible. If your engagement session is in the fall you can accessorize and layer up. If you have a session in the summer, you wear something light in material or a flowy dress and he can wear a short sleeved button up. Even though we live in Florida, winter accessories can still be really cute. Channel summertime vibes by going barefoot on the beach or sharing a cone on the pier in sandals and shorts. With flowers in bloom and love in the air, you can't go wrong with subtle floral prints and spring-approved pastel hues that speak to the season. 

Iron your clothes. Yes, photographers can photoshop, but we don’t want to spend hours trying to perfect something that could have been avoided. Some things to consider or avoid are things like watches - do you wear a smartwatch or fitbit everyday? Is this something that you want in your pictures? If not - don’t wear it. Hair ties on the wrist, take them off. And your nails - have them nice and clean. You shouldn’t have chipped nail polish to distract anything away from you.

Underwear! Ok yes, this is totally something to consider. Guys - don’t wear something that will show through your pants. Try and wear something that is snug to make sure you are nice and secure. Ladies - wear something that is flattering to your outfit, no show or something snug. Also, consider those straps! Do you want it to show (probably not!)? Have you thought about a bralette or a sticky bra? If you are doing a steamy couples session, then heck yes get the cutest underwear you can get. But typically you want things to stay hidden and keep things in place.

If you’re searching for the perfect outfit to wear for your upcoming maternity photo shoot, here are some ideas that will help you and your beautiful belly look stunning.

Make sure to dress up for your shoot. You are only pregnant for a short period of time. You should really celebrate this incredible and special time. Dressing up will make you feel even more beautiful than you already are. 

A great idea is to have two outfits to wear for your maternity shoot, such as a casual outfit and a dressy outfit. This will not only give you options when choosing which photos you want to hang in your home, but it will also insure diversity in your maternity photos as well.   

A fitted maxi dress is an iconic maternity outfit and is also a very dramatic piece of clothing to wear for a photo shoot. Tight dresses look amazing on pregnant women. The reason why it is so popular is because a fitted maxi dress will show off your baby bump the best. And for your second outfit choose more of a statement dress. Long, flowy, glorious.  

A flowy maxi dress or a skirt is the most perfect option to wear for your maternity photo shoot. It is one of the most comfortable options for the shoot. Comfort is pretty much a number one priority when you are pregnant. And when you are taking maternity photos for a few hours you want to be as comfortable as possible. 

If you are comfortable with wearing tight clothing and don’t mind showing off all of your gorgeous pregnant body curves, opt for a beautiful tight body con dress. They look absolutely stunning on pregnant women because they truly show off the amazing body of the pregnant body. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and what a woman’s body does when pregnant is incredible. Showing that off is the perfect way to pay tribute to your pregnant self. Be proud of those beautiful curves.

Another reason why a maxi dress or a skirt is a great option is because it will cover and conceal the area that you don’t want to show, but also when pulled back a little, it will accent your precious baby bump.

A maxi dress or a skirt is often a statement piece. Flowy fabric looks so beautiful, romantic and editorial in the wind, it creates a lot of movement in the photos as well.

If you want, you can always pick two dresses that are chic. There is nothing wrong with that. Dress it up for sure! This is your time to shine.

When you and your partner are picking out what to wear for maternity photos, try to avoid being too matchy. Pick a similar color palate, then each pick a different main color and go from there. This looks the best. Also check in with your photographer, we have an eye for this kind of thing.

When it comes to a color selection, I always recommend and most often strongly suggest solid pastel, muted colors. These look the best on camera. You don’t want anything to distract from you, your face, and your baby bump. Patterns look very busy in photos, and more often than not, they make us look larger than we are.

Your photos will look amazing if you wear clothing that has texture to it by adding more dimension to your photos. You can pair a chunky knit sweater with some jeans, wear a lace dress, or an embroidered top. Either way the texture in the clothes will create more interest, therefore making your photos look more beautiful. It’s a great alternative to a print or pattern.

Since you’ll have these maternity photos forever, you don’t want to look back on them in 20 years and regret anything you wore. Also maternity photography is something that you probably won’t be able to redo very easily. After all you are only pregnant for 9 months. These photos will be with you for a long time. Picking out timeless clothing options will give you the best outcome. No one wants to look back and say “what was I thinking?” In order to avoid that, go with a more timeless, simple look. A great option for this would be some jeans, a simple top and a pair of cute boots. There’s nothing wrong with going a little more simple. You can always add a few cute accessories in your jewelry to spice things up a bit.

 To make your maternity photos more interesting pick out few different some fun, bright and bold accessories to pair with your outfits. I love when clients bring props to their maternity photo session too.

Here are few ideas you might like:

• A sun hat. This creates a very cute look, but also it will protect you from sun and heat
• A beautiful scarf
• A small waist belt
• Cute earrings or a necklace. But don’t pick anything overly big or too bold. Because it can take away from you
• And finally remember to enjoy the day and have fun with it all

P.S. We provide maternity gowns and floral head bands for all our moms-to-be clients!