THESE ARE THINGS I WOULDN'T WEAR (OR DRESS MY KIDS IN) IF I WERE GETTING READY FOR A FALL PHOTOSHOOT
But hey, listen. I really want your photos to reflect your personal style! I'll give you my reasons for each, but at the end of the day, these are your photos (not mine) so wear whatever you want!
A SOLID COTTON SHIRT.
Photos need texture! Textured materials (like knit, flannel, denim, corduroy, and suede) elevate your wardrobe and are visually interesting. Bonus: they disguise grass, mud, or drool stains. If you're going with a cotton shirt, look for a "heathered" color versus a solid color.
A MINI SKIRT OR JUMPER DRESS.
Only because they can limit our options for poses. Short skirts and dresses pose a challenge if you need to pick up your child or sit down with them. That said... I love dresses. If you decide to put your child in a dress, I won't blame you. But please cover underwear and diapers. Use bloomers, tights, biker shorts, leggings, or onesies.
A PUFFY VEST.
The collars often cover the bottom half of your face, and they're very hard to hold down in place on a child. Instead, look for a vest with a collar that lays flat on its own.
ANYTHING WHITE.
True, solid white reflects light and depending on the location, it can be very hard to photograph just right. It can make you look washed out or reflect too much of the green grass creating a colorcast on your skin. If we're in the shade, it can take on a bluish tint. I'd much rather you wear something off-white like cream, ivory, eggshell, or beige.
WRINKLED CLOTHING.
If you went online shopping for your outfit, make sure you iron out the creases from packaging. Or better yet, choose outfits that need little to no ironing! (Another reason texture if your friend.)
RIBBED OR TIGHTLY WOVEN FABRICS
These tops often create an optical illusion in digital photography known as moire. The clothing appears distorted or wavy. I see this most commonly in men's dress shirts and silk tops. (This is not my photo but perfectly illustrates this effect.)
FANCY SHOES
We're likely going to be walking through wet grass, dirt, and leaves so you should be in simple shoes or boots. I made an entire blog post about shoes, if you want more advice on footwear.
FORMAL WEAR.
I'm almost always staging fall sessions in nature, where grass is tall or wet, twigs litter the ground, and muddy leaves lay nearby. Wearing really fancy clothes that you would wear to a wedding can feel out of place if we're not on a paved path or in a more manicured setting. If it were me, I'd skip the dress pants and loafers and go with jeans and boots instead. Your clothes should feel cozy, warm, and snuggly.
ANYTHING WITH A CORPORATE LOGO ON IT
(or logos of any kind really).
My family just recently did a session where we all wore graphic t-shirts and jeans. I loved it! But a graphic tee is very different from a company polo. Graphics are perfectly fine. Logos are, eh.
LOOSE CLOTHING.
The best part of a fall photoshoot is getting wrapped up in the moment and really savoring the rare quality time you get to have as a family. Fussing with a belt that keeps sliding out of place or fixing a loose shoulder strap puts your focus on your appearance when it needs to be on your partner and/or kids. Make sure you can move comfortably throughout your session.
Style is so subjective. This advice reflects my POV as a family and portrait photographer, not a person. I love clothes and experimenting with fashion. I'm not a photographer that wants all my sessions to have the same aesthetic. I love to see your personality reflected in your clothing. But certain outfits work better than others from a technical standpoint. I hope these tips help you feel comfortable and confident throughout your session!
xoxo,
Brooke
p.s. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any help choosing outfits!
