What to Wear?

As I’m sure all my friends can attest, I’m just a naturally fashionable person. I always know exactly what to wear for every occasion, and my shoes always coordinate perfectly with my accessories.

Not.

Actually, for most of my life, I’ve been seriously UNfashionable…to the point of hiding all my childhood…jr. high…and yes, high school photos. I blame part of that on my mom (sorry mom)–why did you have to dress us all alike for the family photos??? Well, really, she can’t be blamed. That was just the thing to do. You know what I’m talking about: everyone from little baby to mom and dad dressed in khaki pants and denim shirts.

Run. Run away. Now.

OK. Getting to the point–my clients often ask me what they should wear for photo shoots. I must admit I haven’t been very good at giving helpful advice; I usually say something like “stick with solid colors that go well together.” But, that’s really vague and could mean anything. So, I will try to be more specific–with the help of my fabulous clients.

Tip #1: Choose colors that compliment each other and the season.
Maybe you remember looking at a color wheel in art class. Here’s one I found online:

Remember that opposite colors compliment each other, and cooler colors (don’t forget browns and grays!) look nice in the fall and winter, while warmer ones suit spring and summer. For example:

This green and white were perfect for summer.

And I loved how these colors brought out the fall foliage.

And I know I just posted this photo, but I love how her purple sweater compliments the yellow leaves (opposites on the color wheel).

Tip #2: Solid colors are your friends. Stripes and patterns are just acquaintances.
Let’s face it, overly patterned clothes can distract from your beautiful face–which is the main focus in a portrait shoot. That doesn’t mean you have to completely rule patterns and stripes out, but use them in moderation. For example, this is a nice use of stripes…and it works well because she is wearing a solid color.

And here is a great example of bringing some pattern into the picture (pun intended) that really enhances the solid colors.

Tip #3: Don’t forget the details!
I’m usually pretty bad about wearing details…they’re often the last thing I think of, but they can really complete your outfit.

These red shoes spice up a simple black and white scheme.

Me likes.

And it’s not just your shoes…her necklace and earrings dress up a simple white blouse.

While her belt really makes the dress.