What to Wear

Maternity

The best answer is simple, simple, simple! A swath of pretty fabric draped around you can be absolutely stunning.  A pretty black or white bra can be helpful if you choose to drape yourself in material. We do have various colors of material in studio that you may take advantage of for your maternity session. 

Also very popular is outdoor maternity sessions.  Choose clothing that matches your personality for these type of sessions.  Casual always works well.  Just remember that when you are comfortable, the camera knows it.  :)

 

Children & Families

The key to a beautiful and timeless portrait is making the subject, not the clothing, the main focus of the image. With that in mind, it is recommended to keep clothing selections simple.  Think of your portrait as a work of art you will display on your wall for years to come; timeless clothing helps create an enduring image.  You are always encouraged to bring clothing that has meaning to you and your family like a christening gown or a special family article.   On the other hand, there are a lot of really cute and trendy outfits that are quite popular.  If you feel this is more your style, we are more than happy to help you select the right setting to really show off your fashion style.

Senior Portraits

SO. . . you have a closet full of clothes, but don't know what to wear.   Here are a few suggestions that will help you choose the BEST clothes to wear for your Senior Portraits:

Choose a VARIETY of outfits.  It is a good idea to include both casual and formal outfits in your senior portraits.  You choose a few and let Mom choose one or two, that way everyone is happy.

Traditional styles will stand the test of time and keep your portrait looking fresh for years to come, but also bring some different clothes for "fun" poses.

Some poses will show your shoes, so don't forget to bring shoes and socks for each outfit that you plan to wear.

Busy patterns and loud colors can be very distracting in your portraits.  Limit large and bold patterns that might tend to draw attention away from your face.  Generally, your senior portrait should be of YOU, not your clothes.  An exception would be for a contemporary black and white portrait, if that is your preference.  Also remember that large patterns and oversized clothing will add the appearance of extra weight in photographs.

Bring something that is "REALLY YOU."  If you have a special T-shirt, belt, ball cap, hat or boots, plan on wearing them for a pose. 

Props can help to show your personality and record the types of activities that you are involved in.  Please be sure to bring some of your own props to your portrait session to "customize" your portrait.  Here are some ideas:

  • Letter or Leather Jacket
  • Uniforms
  • Hats
  • Sports Equipment
  • Stuffed Animals
  • Sunglasses
  • Musical Instrument
  • Bathing Suits
  • Hunting Gear
  • Car
  • Pet
  • Hobby Gear or Collection

Here are some final tips for all types of portraits:

SIMPLICITY is the key to a successful portrait.

  • Darker clothes minimize body size.  
  • To assure a successful portrait, it is best to bring along several additional clothing choices and let Jennifer help you choose.
  • Have your hair cut or trimmed about a week before the portrait so your hair will have a chance to "relax" and look more natural.
  • Guys should shave about 1 hour before their portrait.  This eliminates redness from shaving and also "5 o'clock shadow" which cannot be removed by retouching.
  • Women should wear evening makeup, applied moderately, to accent eyes and lips.  Use of makeup will also blend skin tones for more pleasing portraits.  Bring your makeup with you to make changes if needed.
  • Remember, get a good night's rest, relax and be ready for a great portrait session!