As you prepare to dive into your closet, ask yourself these questions:

What is the 'look' I'm going for? Fun? Classic? Vintage? Modern?

Where will I be hanging the pictures?

What are the colors and style of the rooms where they will be displayed?

What types of clothes fit the location of the photoshoot?

Decide on the overall "look and feel"

Wear outfits that matches your personal style and fits the "look and feel" of your finished portraits.

For family groups, coordinate! Everyone doesn't need to be perfectly matched, but wear similar tones and styles to create a polished look. As a fun twist, consider starting with your favorite outfit and styling the other family members around it. (Visit our Family Portrait Gallery for great examples!)

For larger groups, neutral colors (blacks, grays, blues, and whites) tend to look the most timeless and flattering. Choose clothing in solid colors (avoid stripes, herringbone, or distracting patterns), and consider pairing a bold accent color such as yellow or red with a neutral base of grey or white for a little extra pop. 

Feel free to bring several clothing options with you so we can help you select the styles that will photograph best. If in doubt, bring it - we love to have lots to choose from! For Senior Sessions, we recommend bringing a minimum of one outfit you would wear out on a date, one outfit you would wear to a wedding, and 1 outfit that you would wear to hang out with your friends.

Select clothing that fits you well, flatters your body, and makes you feel good. Clothing that is too big or too small will tend to wrinkle and be distracting in your photographs.

Bring shoes and jewelry to accompany each of your outfits. Accessories like scarves and hats are great for adding texture and layers.

Choose your outfits

Feel free to bring props or accessories that fit your photoshoot. For Maternity Sessions, consider bringing a sonogram or some adorable little baby shoes. For Senior Sessions, personalize your portraits with sports equipment, musical instruments, or other things that reflect your interests.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, it's tempting to go to a spray tan or tanning bed prior to your photoshoot, but we recommend that you embrace your natural skin tone. Spray tans tend to look blotchy and orange in photographs, and tanning beds often lead to sunburn rather than a summer glow. 

If you wear glasses that do not have non-glare lenses or that turn dark in sunlight, ask your optometrist to lend you empty frames in a matching style. Alternatively, your optometrist can simply remove your lenses before the session and replace them afterwards.

Stay hydrated and get a good night's rest and before your shoot.

Preparing for your session