How to prepare your photography session
What should I wear for outdoor photos?
Well, I will definitely not reinvent the wheel and I collected and put together some good tips to follow prior to your photography session. While all of these are strongly recommended, it is of the same importance that you feel comfortable and good in your own skin.
Do choose classic cut denim jeans, dresses, plain white T-shirts (no logos), unbranded trainers, and plain colored wellies (in Autumn). Basically, simple, classic clothes work best, and this is true whether you’re having your family portrait session outdoors or in the photography studio.
What is the best color to wear for outdoor pictures?
As a general rule, any “natural” color that fits in with the earth is usually a safe bet for photoshoots. Sage green, various shades of brown, and muted shades of yellow and orange are all earthy tones that photograph well.
What colors not to wear for outdoor pictures?
Mute bright colors
We all love bright colors but unfortunately, when worn in portraits, they tend to draw attention from the face. They also can be reflective. It is best to not wear bright red, hot pink, emerald green, etc.
Glasses. Eyeglasses may or may not be worn. Non-reflective lenses, of course, are a big help. Better yet, sometimes it’s possible to obtain a matching set of frames without any lenses. This is particularly helpful if your lenses sometimes distort the outline of your face.
Makeup, Hair & Nails. Hair styles should be SIMPLE and MUST be off the face. Hair falling down onto the sides of the face create distracting shadows. Bangs that come down too low onto the face will keep light from getting into the subject’s eyes – the very most important part of the face. It is always a great idea to have your makeup and hair professionally applied for your photography session. It will make a huge difference in how you look and feel. Vivid Photography & Imaging recommends FMK Hair. If you have your preferred hair and make-up stylist this is always ok. As look as you feel and look fabulous and you allow enough time to have your hair and make-up finished before your scheduled session. Please enquire about booking a stylist well before your shoot. Your nails should be manicured. No chipped nail polish.
Proper Necklines for a Portrait. The most flattering neckline for anyone is something that comes up close to the neck. A wide-open neckline tends to thicken the neck in a photograph. On the other hand, a neckline that comes up to the base of the neck – a turtleneck or a v-neck top is the most flattering. It tends to slim down the person and frames the face beautifully.
Group/family portrait sessions. Keep your clothing simple and coordinating. It must be carefully selected to blend the bodies together. Avoid loud or busy patterns and large logos. Solid colors are best. First, decide whether the basic tone of the clothing will be warm-toned (browns, etc.) or cool-toned (blues/grays/blacks, etc.) Then, make sure to follow all of the above instructions. Keeping a group in similar colors focuses the attention of the portrait to the faces and individuals that make up the portrait. Dissimilar colors in groups tend to be more distracting. White tops with khakis or jeans can look very nice and casual, but if anyone in your family is super pale, white can make pale skin look paler. Jeans are the timeless choice and they’re great for fun, casual pictures because they are flattering and don’t show wrinkles or panty lines. Lighter shirts on top give the pictures a more casual and bright look. Pastels are also usually appealing because they enhance natural skin tones. Black or other dark shirts on top give the portraits a more serious and thoughtful feel (not to mention that black is slimming). Everyone should have color-coordinated outfits (Not a uniform necessarily, but there should be a theme). For the children, choose outfits that fit well without a lot of “growing room”. Jeans/khaki’s and white or black tops are always very nice for a family portrait.
7 TYPES OF CLOTHES THAT PHOTOGRAPH BEST
1. SOLIDS COLORS
“It’s no secret that zany patterns can be, ahem, less than flattering to even the most svelte figures. But in photos? This effect is even more exaggerated. Stick with solids to make sure that the camera captures your best self.”
2. TRADITIONAL PATTERNS
“That top covered in tropical bird print may look chic on the hanger, but once someone snaps a picture of you wearing it, we promise you’ll be singing a different tune. Steer clear of any print that’s busy or cutesy — they’ll just end up distracting from your face and making you look wider than you actually are. Tried-and-true patterns like plaid and stripes (stick with vertical, for obvious reasons) are sure to snazz up your look.”
3. FITTED PIECES
“Repeat after us: No one except for off-duty runway models can make oversized muumuus into a fashion statement. Sorry, but it’s true. The same idea applies to dressing for pics: Even if that billowy denim top looks edgy IRL, it’s just going to end up looking meh on camera. And the other end of the spectrum isn’t much better. Bodycon dresses and skintight tops leave nothing to the imagination as soon as that flash goes off. Embrace a happy medium with slim-cut pieces that actually fit you.”
4. DARK COLORS
“While you probably (read: definitely) look gorgeous when you wear bright colors IRL, we promise that wearing darker colors will make you look better in pictures. Why? Dark fabrics smooth out your figure and are WAY less likely to get distorted by that pesky flash. Win and win!”
5. FLATTERING NECKLINES
“Choosing the right neckline for your body type is just as important as choosing a silhouette, particularly when it comes to looking killer in pics. V-shaped necklines and scoop necks look good on pretty much everyone, so you can’t go wrong with those. Looking to minimize your bust? Opt for a square neckline. Strapless necklines have a tendency to emphasize broad shoulders, so only go for this look if you’re comfortable with drawing attention to your décolletage.”
6. CLASSIC OVER TRENDY
“While we love a good fashion risk (crop top + choker = yes, please!), we also have to admit that sticking to classic pieces for photos is always the best idea. Choosing timeless looks will help you come off as poised and elegant, not to mention that it’ll ensure you won’t run into any wardrobe regret down the line.”
7. NON-SHEER
“We’ve all seen enough red carpet coverage to know better: Don’t wear see-through pieces in pictures unless wardrobe malfunction is the look you’re going for. Avoid sheer materials even if you have the proper undergarments — and even if your outfit only looks sheer in certain lights. You’re just going to have to trust us on this one.”
