Client Style Guide
And why it matters
Why does it matter?
Your wardrobe plays a huge role in how your images turn out. My light and airy editing style is designed to create a timeless, soft, dreamy photos with glowing skin tones, bright backgrounds, and a romantic ethereal quality. The right outfit enhances that by:
- Complimenting the natural light and surroundings
- Keeping the focus on you (not a distracting print)
- Ensuring consistency and cohesion in group shots
- Avoiding harsh contrasts or shadows in post-processing
What should I focus on?
I recommend focusing on soft neutrals and pastels. Think of colors like cream, sage, ivory, dusty blue, soft gray, blush, tan, or a soft white. Light layers and flowy fabrics help create soft photos and capture beautifully on camera.
When it comes to patterns or textures, I suggest keeping them simple and minimal. When patterns or textures on clothing are loud, they can quickly become distracting from the main focus, which is you! I also suggest wearing clothes that are comfortable and well fitting. You'll be moving, sitting, standing, and walking and should be comfortable in your clothes doing all of those things!
What should i avoid?
- Bright or neon colors - These tones tend to cast an unnatural tone on skin
- Busy or large patterns - Busy patterns (think thin stripes on a shirt or bright, large florals on a light colored dress) can quickly become a distraction from your face in a photo
- Logos, characters, or graphics - Not only are these distracting, but they date a photo as well
- Dark, saturated colors - I'm not saying totally write off darker colors, but an all black outfit is definitely an avoid! I suggest pairing a darker clothed item with something lighter!
- Wrinkled or ill-fitted clothes - Wrinkled clothes can appear sloppy on camera. Tight clothes can make movement hard in shots
Color Palette and ideal tones
- Neutrals - Ivory, cream, light white, oatmeal, sand, taupe, light gray
- Pastels - Soft pink, blush, sage green, baby blue lilac, sky blue
- Earthy Tones - Muted olive, dusty rose, camel, soft terracotta
Pro Tip: Avoid stark white or optical white - it can blow out photos easily
Textures, patterns, and layers
What to EMbrace
- Linens, chiffon, lace, and light knits
- Subtle stripes, ditsy floral, swiss dots, flutter sleeves
- Soft cardigans
What to avoid
- Shiny synthetics ( they can reflect poorly in light)
- Heavy layering
- Large logos or bold patterns
What to wear and where to go
Women & Teens
- Flowy dresses
- Lace or textured tops with a light skirt or trousers
- Soft knit or linen
- Baltic Born
- Anthropologie
- Target
- Altar'd State
- Rose & Remington
- Free People
Men & Teens
- Light chinos or khakis
- Button up shirts
- Crew necks
- Linen shirts
- Loafers, Boots, or clean neutral sneakers
- Abercrombie
- H&M
- American Eagle
- Target
- Old Navy
- Express
Children
- Rompers
- Dresses
- Linen sets
- H&M
- Rylee & Cru
- Old Navy
- Target
- Zara
Coordinating together (not matching)
I recommend starting with 2 or 3 complimentary tones to coordinate outfits around. Once you have a baseline idea of what you want your color scheme to look like, I suggest starting with the ladies outfits first. If you are having family photos done, specifically start with Moms outfit first. I find it alleviates a lot of stress picking her outfit first, then planning the rest of the outfits around hers.
To avoid matching, try mixing different textures and solid colors. If everyone is in a print, the photos can become busy and distracting.
Still unsure where to go from here?
I've curated a Pinterest board filled with suggestions if you're more of a visual person. (I know I am)
Final Pro Tips
- Try on your outfits before your session. That way, if you don't love it, you still have plenty of time to make changes
- Iron/Steam clothes before your session. This will make your photos look clean and tailored
- Avoid heavy and dark makeup. While others make disagree, I find looking heavier bronzers can create dark splotches and can make editing more difficult. Difficult editing=longer turn around time
- For an extra piece of movement in your photos, I suggest women wear their hair down, but this is ultimately whatever you're comfortable with
- If you still aren't sure or confident in your outfit, feel free to bring a change of clothes
