10 tips on what to wear

1• coordinate outfits: this doesn’t mean everyone has to match with khaki pants or jeans and a white shirt! You want to complement each other’s outfits by choosing colors that work well together. I find that if everyone is wearing the same clothing, people will all tend to blend in together and there won’t be too much pop and life to the images. Coordinate VS. Matching….there is a difference.

2• use colors & patterns: colors are everywhere around us and bring things to life… why not bring your images to life as well! Again, be sure the colors you use coordinate with each other and you don’t just end up looking like one big rainbow family! When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that won’t distract attention away from the main subject. Use patterns sparingly…. if one person is wearing a print, try to avoid putting someone else in a competing pattern. When thinking about texture, choose different ones that will give photos some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, etc. Avoid large logo’s because again, these will typically distract attention away.

3• be timeless: pick outfits that are not considered too trendy, but will be able to be enjoyed and displayed for many years to come. One example of something that is timeless are jeans: a classic look and style yet you can still incorporate your own flair into the outfit with your tops and accessories. I want you to be YOU, never forget that!

4• let your personalities SHINE: the purpose of these photos is to hopefully capture each individual as they truly are: family, relationships and people just as THEY are. Wear clothing that YOU feel good in and the pictures will emanate those feelings. Remember, you want to capture everyone as they are TODAY.

5• dress for the season & location: you want your images to make sense. Dress the part and be aware of your location. For example, if you are shooting at a river, ladies wear a pretty dress and sandals, put dad in a short sleeve shirt and shorts OR pants (which you can also roll up), put your little girl in a sweet summer dress, etc. If Mom and Dad are wearing long sleeves baby should be too. You will want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and coordinates in both colors AND styles.

6• layering: in the Summer months, this may be more difficult to pull off but during all of the other seasons, definitely layer your outfits. Not only will it provide more visual interest in each photo but it will also allow a lot more variety in your shots and poses. Have a ton of images of yourself in just your dress or cute top and jeans? Layer a sweater or jacket plus a hat and you'll have entirely different look!

7• personalize it: discuss things your family enjoys doing together and bring “props” and accessories that will help compliment who you are. Bring along items that will represent who each individual is and who your family is all together.

8• remember where you came from: typically, not something everyone will keep in mind before their session. However, I always encourage clients to think about their home, their decor, colors, and style. Chances are, at some point after your session, you will be ordering prints or digital files. Why not keep your decor in mind and ensure that it all blends into your home? This will ensure that any large portraits will coordinate beautifully.

9• outfit changes: if time allows it, bring another set of outfits. Again, you will get a lot more variety in your shots so why not capitalize on the opportunity and get the most bang for your buck!

10• ladies & their shoes: I’m all for a sassy pair of shoes, however they may make for a very long and painful session. If you plan on wearing heels, be sure to bring a pair of flats or flip flops that can help you get from point A to point B without any pain. You can just swap them out as you need to. Bare feet in pictures in the Summer months is a lovely look, just make sure those toes have either color or no color, not chipped fading color.

Thank you to Corina Nielsen for these great tips, you can see her blog at: http://corinanielsen.com/blog/

HAVE QUESTIONS? email veronica@vemb-photography.com