sit and stay awhile: what to wear to a photo session

after booking a session, generally the first question i get is: what should we wear?!!  and until now i've always responded with: whatever you want!

in all actuality, you CAN wear whatever you want, but seriously, what kind of an answer is that? it is SUCH  cop-out and my clients deserve WAY better!!

so here are a few things to consider when picking out your photo-day wardrobe:

1. don't wear the exact same color, but stay within the same general color pallet/genre [i'm not positive that makes sense, but just go with it].

last weekend i visited william and mary for homecoming [hark!] and on sunday before everyone headed home i met up with some friends - when i saw their outfits i told them i HAD to have a picture because it was a superb example of not being too matchy-matchy, but matching perfectly:

aren't they the cutest? thank you kate and dex!!

their colors are similar, but not the same.  all of the colors incorporated have that off-white feeling to them (again, i know that probably doesn't make sense, but hang in there)  

random side note: these are comfy clothes and easy to move in, but look fabulous.

another random side note: these are college students/recent grads aka DIRT POOR - so this look is attainable without breaking the bank [kate got her shirt at marshall's for $10!!!]

2. texture/pattern variety can be good

i'm going to use kate and dex again for this one because i love that there are so many different fabrics and textures between the two of them: 

corduroy, lace, cotton, her silky scarf and pretty embroidered/embellished shirt, not to mention that he is wearing a striped shirt and she has little dots and pretty flowers...  the subtle differences in shapes/textures/patterns/fabrics is what really makes this work [i think?]

the key to all of this so far is: slight differences (i'm thinking that dressing one child in plaid, another in bold polka dots and your third in huge horizontal stripes might be abrasive to the eyes).  

3. we're going to coin a phrase: casual simplicity.  

you want your photographs to be about you, your family, the memories you made while spending that 1 hour time block with each other in front of the camera - when you look at those pictures afterwards you don't want to see just your HUGE chunky necklace or dad's awkwardly colored socks sticking out from his pants legs, you want to see your beautiful selves laughing, having fun, being goofy... your wardrobe should be understated enough to enhance your beauty but still definitively you [hopefully this is making sense...]

i found this on pintrest (originally from lina jarmond photography's site) and i LOVE how it showcases the different color pallets/textures/materials all while being very casual and simple:

aaannndddd last but not least:

4. wear what looks good on you and is comfortable

this may seem like a no-brainer, but this is one of those rules that you MUST abide by both parts, no picking and choosing here.  if you are wearing a smokin hot dress with heels and look like a million dolla dolla billz, but aren't comfortable, you better bet your butt it'll show in the pictures.  and  just because that sweater that is 3 sizes too big is the most comfortable thing you own doesn't mean that it's going to look good on your body in photographs.  

if you aren't comfortable with this season's fashion trends, don't wear them - rock your own personal style.  you being comfortable is the most important thing to remember!!!

for more inspiration on what to wear, follow my pintrest board!

hope this helps ya'll :)