Style Guide + Session Prep
I’m excited for your upcoming portrait session! It’s an honor to help create photographs that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. This style guide is to help you get the most out of your photos, so that you will love them and they will remain timeless. Styling doesn’t have to be stressful. Use the tips below, as well as a link to an inspiration board, to get started. Feel free to contact me for ideas and I am more than happy to help you search for an outfit with your input. I encourage you to send me photos of everyone’s outfits as well for some final tips. Trust me, it’ll be worth it! Your job on the day of the shoot is to be yourself, embrace the unique connections between you and your family, and let me create photos that you’ll love. -Rene
Keeping it Timeless
First, I’d like for you to consider where and how you may want to display your final images. When choosing colors for your outfits I recommend selecting colors that you feel great in, and also will compliment your style at home.
In general, avoid ultra-bright or neon colors. For example, maroon or mauve instead of bright red or pink, mustard instead of bright yellow. For ladies, you really can’t go wrong with pretty neutrals such as blush pink, warm grey, cream, or olive with pops of color to compliment. That being said, I want you to feel great in what you are wearing, so If there’s a bolder, patterned dress that you are dying to wear, shoot me a pic and I’d love to see what we can do to have the rest of the family compliment it!
Avoid over-accessorizing. Keep to one or two accessories which compliment the outfit. No accessories is also perfect. The same goes for little girls. Avoid wearing any obvious logos or words on clothing, or large wristwatches or sports watches. All of these things tend to detract the eye away from what’s most important: your faces!
Shoes matter! They play an important role in an outfit (although sometimes, no shoes is the best choice). Footwear can also distract from the connections of people in the images, so I generally recommend avoiding tennis shoes, crocs, or shoes with bright colors or patterns. Otherwise, footwear should depend on the environment and the season. If we’re shooting outdoors a ways from our cars, it may be a good idea to bring something comfortable to walk to and from our location as well.
Remember to stay comfortable. I want everyone to be able to comfortably move in their outfits. It’s a must to keep those smiles genuine and for everyone to have a good time.
If we’re doing an in home session, I recommend tidying and removing anything that might be distracting in the rooms we’ll be shooting in. Unplug and hide things such as chargers or items on nightstands. Don’t worry, I’ll take a look around before we start and help with this part too!
Coordinating the Family
When putting together outfits for the whole family, keep in mind what you will look like collectively. What looks best on camera is when colors and patterns coordinate rather than “match” exactly. Instead of the same exact colors of multiple people, think about what “fits” together to look cohesive, while letting each one’s personalities shine through.
One way to help break up colors and patterns so that you are not all wearing the same color tops and bottoms is to consider a different dominant color for each person, and then have similar shades of the same accent color to tie it all together. I recommend choosing mom’s outfit first, and build the rest of the ensemble around colors that compliment hers. As for patterns, it’s a good idea to stick with only one obvious patterned piece per family. Too many competing patterns, again, can be very distracting. If mom has a patterned dress, avoid plaids or stripes on dad.
Ladies
Don’t be afraid to dress up! Now’s your chance to wear that gown, or flowy dress you bought a while back but never had an occasion for! Flowy, long dresses and skirts truly flatter and look great on camera as they can show some movement in the photos. I recommend full length skirts if you have little ones, so you can feel comfortable crouching or sitting down to interact with them. If you’re an expecting mother, I love full length or maxi dresses that have smoother textures. These help create that perfect silhouette that highlights your bump.
If dresses are just not your thing, that’s totally okay! I want you to think feminine and wear what will make you feel confident and fantastic. I just want you to look back at these images and think, “Man! I loved that outfit!”
When selecting your clothes, find things that fit and flatter even when you are moving. In general, flowy short sleeves or three-quarter length sleeves create a great slimming effect on arms, as well as layering a cardigan or cute jacket. Skinny shoulder straps or strapless can have the opposite effect on camera if your goal is slimmer-looking arms. Most importantly, I want you to feel natural and comfortable playing with your kids. Consider whether your top rides up too much when you lift your arms or whether you show a bit too much when you bend forward.
Men
Alright, let’s be real. Most men aren’t particularly eager to have their photos taken for any extended period of time. Don’t worry, it’s not just your husband. Sometimes, they just don’t have an expectation of what’s to come, or maybe they’ve had a negative experience in the past. What really helps is to chat with your guy for a moment. Explain how much it means to you to capture these fleeting moments, and a bit about me and my style of photography. Trust me, once he understands how important it is, he’ll step up!
Onwards to styling! For tops, I recommend solid-colored shirts (with a collar is possible) in muted colors that complement the woman’s outfit. Shades of grey, brown, cream, olive or navy for example. Pinstripes or plaids tend to distract the eye. Layered also look great on camera. When weather permits, consider a solid, collared shirt layered with a sweater. For bottoms, long, fitted plants such as dark jeans or dark, neutral khakis paired with close-toed shoes keep things dapper, and simple. Avoid baggy pants, shorts, or open-toed shoes. This way, the eyes naturally want to go towards everyone’s faces and smiles.
Kids
Babies
When it comes to newborns, keep it simple. I recommend a simple neutral colored onesie or a swaddle wrap that coordinates with what the rest of the family are wearing. I have some neutral wraps I can bring if you don’t have one that you love. Simple accessories like a headband can also be a great addition, just make sure it isn’t tight enough to leave an indent or red mark. Other tips to help baby relax and sleep include nursing or feeding right before our session, keeping the house or room we’re shooting in nice and warm, and having a white noise machine.
For babies who move a bit more, I recommend onesies that tuck into pants or longer shirts that keep diapers hidden if their arms are raised. A simple dress on a baby girl can be perfect; just remember to avoid large accessories or ruffles that can distract from her face.
If you’re traveling to a location, it may be a good idea to arrive early and put on baby’s outfit once there, or put a bib on for the car ride to avoid spit-ups or accidents.
Girls
You can never go wrong with a dress or skirt on a little girl. Stores are generally well-stocked with adorable items that photograph well. Just keep my general tips above and the following few things in mind when choosing the perfect compliment to the rest of the family. Again, stick with one obviously patterned item per family. Girls in dresses or skirts should wear bloomers, shorts or leggings underneath to prevent any underwear or diapers from showing. Stick with darker color leggings or pants, as light ones tend to get dirty during outdoor sessions. Skip the accessories or keep it simple and non-distracting, just like mom.
Boys
I love boys in dapper outfits. A photo shoot is a wonderful excuse to put them in little suspenders or bowties! When weather allows, layers look great on little boys. To avoid tennis shoes and sandals (just like Dad), boots are a great alternative.
Prep with the Little Ones
If your little one has a favorite toy or rattle that would catch their attention and make them smile, feel free to bring it as it can help bring their gaze to the camera! If he or she has a favorite toy, book, or keepsake that you would like in a picture or two to help you remember this stage of their life, please feel free to bring it as well.
For a successful session with little ones, try to let them nap or get some rest before our session. Also, kids can get hangry pretty fast. (At least mine does.) It’s a good idea to bring a few simple snacks and water, just nothing messy or crumbly.
Discuss with your older kids how special these photos are and how fun the session will be. It may be a good idea to have something exciting planned afterwards like a trip to their favorite restaurant, or ice cream!
Once we start your session, take some deep breaths, relax, and let them be kids. You know that they’re just kids, and sometimes, they just don’t want to sit still or smile. Don’t worry, I get it and I embrace it. I’m used to chasing down little ones to capture their unique personalities and natural expressions. Just keep smiling and roll with it. Some of the best moments I’ve captured are ones where everyone just hones in on whatever the youngest member happens to be interested in.
Some inspiration to get you started
Below is a link to a Pinterest board I’ve curated to help get those brain juices flowing. While I love me some stores like Free People, which makes amazing boho dresses for women, looking awesome does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Some of my favorite shops for women include PinkBlush (they have both maternity and non-maternity), Wren & Ivory (also maternity/nursing friendly), Piper & Scoot, and a local Gilbert store located at Gilbert and Elliot—Shop Ashley LeMieux. Other stores I love for the rest of the family and kids include Old Navy, Gap, H&M, Zara, Hallmark Baby, Little Cottonwood and Jaime Kay.
Styling does not have to be stressful. I’d be more than happy to help you look or do it alongside you over the phone! Please feel free to ask! If you’re having trouble deciding, shoot me a photo! I’d love to explain which might photograph better. I encourage all of my clients to send me snapshots of the family’s outfits as they’re coming together to make sure we will have the best results in the location we have chosen.
Now let’s go make some memories!