Are you getting ready for a session and not sure what to wear? Don’t worry, hopefully you will find this guide helpful! Choosing the perfect outfits can really make a big difference to your photos. Feel free to discuss your ideas and send me photos of potential outfits. I’d be more than happy to provide you with my advice to help you create the perfect look for your photos.
My Tips
Coordinate, but don’t match
It’s nice to have a cohesive look but avoid wearing identical outfits. Instead, choose complementary colours or a colour palette that works well together. You can choose warm, light, or dark shades, depending on the vibe you want to create. And when it comes to styles, you can all match with a casual or formal theme.
Choose items for the entire family as if you were creating one outfit
Remember, when coordinating outfits for your session, there should be some commonality among all the members of the group.
Keep it simple
Opt for clothing with minimal pattern and no logos, as they can be distracting in photos. Solid colours or subtle textures tend to work best.
Dress comfortably
Make sure everyone feels comfortable in their outfits. Avoid clothing that is too tight or restrictive, as it can affect the overall mood of the session.
Colours
Natural tones like warm whites, cream, warm khaki, brown, rust, deep green, and navy all look fantastic. Introducing blush tones can also work well if you opt for a pastel palette. It’s best to avoid wearing a lot of black.
Neutral tones work best because they allow your skin tones and facial expressions to be the focus of the image. They are not distracting and are always a timeless, classic choice for portraits.
So what does that’s all mean? Let’s be more specific.
Mums
Go for something nice and neutral that’s still comfortable. A dress would be a great choice, or if you prefer a more casual look, plain pants with a nice top or jumper will work well.
Maternity
You want to embrace your baby bump and choose clothes that highlight and celebrate it. Flowy maternity maxi dresses are best, but form-fitting maternity gowns, or even a cozy sweater or open shirt paired with maternity jeans can all be great options. Soft, neutral tones like pastels and creams can create a timeless and elegant look. The most important thing is for you to feel confident and beautiful, so go with outfits that make you feel amazing.
Dads
Plain t-shirts/tops, ideally with a v-neck and sleeves with shorts, pants or dress jeans. I also love wool jerseys. Just try to avoid any logos or patterns as they can stand out too much in the photos.
Girls
A cute dress is a great choice for little girls. Something comfortable with simple patterns or solid colours that complement the overall colour scheme. Another option is pairing a skirt with a coordinating top. This allows for more flexibility in mixing and matching colours and patterns. If it’s cold it’s a good idea to bring a cute cardi and neutral leggings that can be removed.
Boys
Neutral pants, shorts, and shirts. A nice plain top and tan, navy, or denim pants/shorts look great.
Babies
For younger babies rompers are always a good choice. If its cold outdoors, a cute cardi and leggings can be a good choice for the girls and a knitted jumper and pants for the boys.
Feel free to send me photos of your outfit options, and I’ll be more than happy to take a look and offer some advice.
Footwear
For studio sessions, particularly with babies and children I always photograph with bare feet. This feels more natural and keeps the focus on where it should be.
For a beach photoshoot, I also recommend embracing barefoot! However, for moving between different locations I suggest bringing some jandals to wear. They’ll keep your feet comfortable and protected while we explore different areas.
Undergarments for the ladies
Depending on your outfit of choice, it’s a good idea to wear nude undergarments and a strapless bra. Some outfits can be a bit sheer, so considering your lingerie is important to make sure you feel comfortable and confident.
Studio Wardrobe
My studio wardrobe consists of hundreds of pieces, that I have collected and curated over the years, and I am proud to offer these unique pieces to my clients to use during their session. I have stocked pieces from designers around the world that hand make each piece, so many of the items you may not find anywhere else.
Maternity
I have a small, boutique collection of dresses, skirts, and tops designed specifically for showing off your beautiful bump that fit approximately size 10-18 currently. If you’re interested in wearing one of these for your session, please reach out to discuss the options. I welcome you to come try on a dress prior to your session. The current colours are cream, a subtle pastel pink and brown/rust. There is everything from lace, glitz to a boho style.
Newborn
I have a large selection of outfits for your baby to use at your newborn session so you do not need to worry about an outfit. I have many footed rompers, knit and cotton rompers, lacey outfits and beautiful hand knits in a range of colours. White, cream, greens, blues, greys, pinks, peach, purple and yellow.
Sitter
I have a huge selection of stunning sitter outfits for babies 6-12months old you are welcome to use for your sitter or cake smash sessions.
Girls and Boys
I have a large selection of outfits for boys and girls up to the age of about 5. There is a smaller selection of outfits up to about size 7. These are perfect for studio sibling photos, children’s portraits, littlies, and themed mini sessions. If you’re interested in wearing one of these for your session, please reach out to discuss the options.
Hair and Make Up
Getting professional hair and makeup done for your session is not necessary, but it can definitely add an extra boost of confidence and make you feel amazing during your photoshoot! If you decide to go for it, I highly recommend it. It’s a great idea.
If you are styling your own hair, and you are blessed with long hair, adding curls or waves to your hair, really enhances the images and creates a beautiful timeless aesthetic.
As for makeup, I suggest you aim for a natural look with a touch more than your everyday routine. Remember, the goal is to feel comfortable and like the best version of yourself. If you choose to do your own hair and makeup, don’t worry! Just follow these tips and you’ll look fantastic.
For the little girls, keeping their hair natural or in curls is perfect. Please ensure their hair is brushed and photo ready. If you’d like to use our headbands, just make sure they’re free of any accessories. If you like your girls hair styled a particular way, I do recommend you do that before you arrive.
Colour Waves
