If you have ever had a portrait session with a photographer, you know it can be stressful. Especially if you are doing a session with the whole family. You have to find a photographer and schedule the session. You have to figure out where you want to have the session and then figure out what everyone is going to wear. That may be the hardest or most stressful part of the session. 

A session should be something you look forward to. It should be fun. Stressing about what the clothing you and/or family are going to wear makes it hard to enjoy the process. That is why I am writing this post for you. You will find some do's and don'ts that will make it simple for you to choose clothing for everyone. Some photographers who are full-service photographers can help you with this. I am a full-service photographer. I can help you through every step of the process. I believe my clients should be served well and that means I take all the stress off of you. 

Keep reading for tips on how to pick out clothes for a session.

Don't wear really bright colors

I love bright colors! However, they do not photograph well and there are a few reasons why. First, bright or neon colors can cast colors on you, people, or things around you. Second, the bright colors can steal the attention of the portrait and we can not have that. You are the focus of the portrait, not your neon pink shirt. Lastly, bright colors can make it hard for the photographer to get the setting right.

Do wear muted colors

Muted colors will allow you to be the focus of the portraits. You can find so many great things in muted colors. You do not have to wear something that is washed out and boring.

Don't put light and dark colors together.

Dark colors can make you look slimmer. Light colors can make you look heavier. Can you imagine what combining the two can do? It can cause the proportions of your body to look odd. It also can make it harder for the photographer to get their settings right. Light colors reflect light and dark colors absorb light, making it hard for the camera to capture them both equally.

Do choose clothes that are close to the same lightness or darkness

Choosing clothes that are around the same lightness looks great in portraits. If you are going for dark colors that is great too, just keep all the clothing dark. The photographer will love you for it and so will you when you see the finished product.

Don't wear light colored shoes

This rule can be broken. However, keep in mind your eyes go to the lightest part of the portrait. If you have white shoes on your eyes may be drawn to the shoes and not the beautiful faces in the portrait. Our eyes are drawn to the lights thing in the portrait.

Do wear darker shoes.

Try to wear shoes that are darker than your clothing. You don't have to wear black shoes. Just try to wear shoes that will not draw attention from the beautiful faces and the reason you are getting portraits taken.

Don't wear shirts with words or small patterns

Whenever there is a word in a photograph your eyes will go straight to it. Once again the focus should be on the beautiful face being photographed. However, there are a couple of things that break that rule. For example, with Senior Portraits, it is common for Seniors to wear their high school letter jacket or a jersey from the sport they play. Patterns can be great, however, they can cause some funky things to happen. There is a thing called moiré. This happens when the camera gets the pattern confused. It only happens with small and intricate patterns. 

Do wear solid colors

To avoid the possible moiré effect, wear solid colored clothes. 

Don't make everyone wear the same thing

For some reason, people get it in their heads that everyone has to be matchy matchy. However, everyone does not have to match perfectly. Mom and baby girl do not have to have the dress on. It is cute though right!? Just know you do not have to. 

Do choose a color or them for the whole family

Sometimes we overthink this. It can be as simple as choosing a color and using it throughout everyone's outfits. That doesn't mean if you choose blue, everyone has to wear plain blue shirts. Brother can have a blue shirt, while sister has hints of blue in her dress. You can also do something as simple as choosing to use warm tones throughout the outfits. For example, daughter wears light pink, mom wears peach, dad wears orange and brother wears salmon. Keeping it simple can make it less stressful for you and make sure the focus of the portraits is on you, not the clothes.

Don't wear something you feel uncomfortable in

When you are uncomfortable it shows in the portraits. Wearing something you do not feel good in will not show your best self. People already feel awkward being in front of a camera, do not make it worse with uncomfortable clothing.

Do wear something you feel good in

Wear something that makes you feel good. Is there a certain type of clothing that you feel like your best self in? Wear that! You do not always have to go buy new clothing for a session to look good. Capturing your lovely faces and personality is what I want most. So concentrate on your family and when you look back at the beautiful memories you have created the clothing will be less important.

We all want our portraits to be amazing. Finding the perfect clothing does not have to raise your stress level or take tons of time. Especially if you have a full-service photographer who helps you through it. We do not realize that the clothes we wear can take away from the reason we are getting the portraits taken. Don't get me wrong, I love bright colors and fancy clothes every now and then, however, your clothing should complement you, not steal the attention. 

The most important thing is you are comfortable and what you are wearing makes you feel good. I know this may be hard with kids sometimes. Just take a second and pay attention to the clothes that they wear often. What makes them look beautiful, handsome, and confident? Everyone is already uncomfortable because a camera is pointing at them, make it a little easier by choosing clothing for everyone that they feel good in. Trust me it will show in the portraits!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Post any questions you have below or just say hello. See you next week for another blog post!