I’ve always tried to lend a decent opinion to my clients about how to dress for photo success and I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately on this matter so I thought I’d address it here on the blog.
“What should I wear on our shoot?” Oh man, where do I start? Let’s start with what not to wear. When you hire me as your wedding or engagement photographer, I’m going to do everything that I can to make you look absolutely fabulous in your photographs and be proud of the way you look. One of the best places to start is what you wear, but before that, you need to know what not to wear.
-avoid extremes; overly tight, overly baggy/loose fitting, really dark/light, perfectly matching, etc.
-avoid logos on your apparel (although a little horse is probably going to be okay).
-stay away from busy patterns (if you have a question about it, email me a photo and I’ll let you know what I think).
-avoid tones that blend with your complexion (knowing your color palette is the key here).
-if you’re a guy, do your fiancee a favor and wear a v-neck under that button up oxford so we don’t see a bright white crew neck t-shirt beneath in all the photos.
Those are a few pointers for what NOT to wear to your session, but here are some pointers in getting you started toward choosing something that will photograph well.
-be yourself and wear something that fits YOU.
-solid colors don’t go out of style and they help emphasize the connection between the couple.
-accessories are a nice finishing touch as long as they’re not too distracting.
-know your color palette.
-pay special attention to your shoes (there is nothing like a beautiful ensemble with dingy shoes that need a shine, guys pay attention).
-know your body type and consult with a stylist, google, a fashionista friend about what cuts, designs flatter you the most.
-shop at Anthropologie or Free People ladies and gents you can’t go wrong with J Crew or Urban Outfitters, or better yet, go out and support a local boutique and get to know them.
So I hope this helps everyone out with some good fashion, style pointers. Remember, you don’t need to spend a fortune on your outfit (some of my favorite sets are from vintage/thrift shops) but don’t sell yourself short.
Below I’ve put together a few sample outfits that would work well for mostly anybody.
For the ladies, we have a Boyfriend Woolie Jacket in brown that is a nice color for fall and winter from Free People. A scarf from Anthropologie, and while you’re there go ahead and throw in a headband like this studded dual band. The dress and skirt are both from Anthropologie as well as the Elevation Boots (which I may have to buy for my wife now).
For the gents, you’ll find a versatile, Merino cardigan paired with stone colored slim fit cords from J Crew. The shirt is an indigo oxford from OAK and the shoes can be found at Zurick.com. Accessories aren’t just for the ladies, so guys can throw a scarf or a nice driving cap in the mix.
