What Not To Wear - NOVA Family Photographer

Trying to determine what to wear to your photo shoot can be one of the most time consuming and difficult choices to make.  So here are some Do's and Don't of clothing choices...(let it be known that this is MY opinion.  I do not think that i'm better than anyone else.  This is just a list of suggestions).

Don't

1.  Match!  Please DON'T!!  Gone are the days of everyone wearing the same color or type of shirt and pants.  You want to complement each other's outfits by choosing colors that work well together.   If everyone is wearing the same outfit, they tend to blend in together and there won't be too much pop and life to the images.  
Coordinate vs. Matching...let's not get cheesy!

2.  Have everyone wear one exact color.  Especially red.  Red clothing leaves a harsh flare

3.  Have boys wear a stuffy suit and girls wear fluffy frilly uncomfortable dresses.  If the person is uncomfortable, it will show in the photo.  

4.  Wear shirts with logo's or distracting pictures on them.

5.   Baggy clothes add pounds in photos (no one wants extra pounds).

6.  Ladies...don't let your bra show.

7.  Don't wear clothes that are too tight to avoid ending up with the "muffin top".

8.  Don't over tan.

9.  Don't forget to iron all wrinkles out of clothing.

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Do

1.  Coordinate pop's of color.  Establish a base color, like grey, and then accent with 1 or 2 splashes of color, like yellow or teal.  Not everyone need to wear the accent color.  

2.  Layer your clothing.  During the summer months this may be difficult but doing it in the other seasons brings more visual appeal and interest to your photos.

3.  Combine colors and patterns.  Another way to gain more visual appeal is to throw in some patterns that coordinate with your color splashes.  For example, a cool plaid shirt on a guy or a pattern t-shirt under a jacket or sweater for a girl.

4.  Bring your own personality in with accessories.

5.  Wear something that is flattering and you like.  On countless occasions I hear I don't like the way my arms look, yet that wear short cropped sleeves that draw attention to their arms!  

6.  Dress for the season and location of your portrait session.  The most IMPORTANT rule in my book is to capture each individual as they truly are at that moment.  One typically wouldn't be wearing jeans, boots, and a jacket to the beach in the summer so why would you for pictures?  

7.  Be timeless...for fashionistas, this may be difficult.  However, you want your portraits to stand the test of time.  Pick outfits that are not trendy but will be able to enjoyed and displayed for generations to come.  Jeans are classic and timeless.  Yet you can still incorporate your own flair into the outfit with your tops and accessories.

Here are a few visual examples of great coordinated outfits.

We here at Tamieka Smith Photography hopes this is a helpful list.  
For more outfit ideas, visit our what to wear to a portrait session link.