Style Guide

As a photographer and mother, I understand how stressful and overwhelming it can feel to select outfits for yourself and others that create one cohesive look while maintaining comfort and personal style. Let's take the stress out of preparing for your photo session. Some simple guidelines will help you select outfits that make you feel confident and look amazing!

The final images in your gallery are more than just the click of my camera. A lot of components work together to ensure your images are timeless, beautiful, and true to you. Editing, location, composition, posing, and outfits! The moments during your session are translated into lasting artistic images.

Basic Styling Tips

~ Try to make sure your nails are clean and neat (including men!)

~ Ensure your hair is comfortable and secure so you're not having to fuss with it too much especially if it's windy

~ Don't forget your jewelry and have fun with your accessories

~ No sunglasses please, unless it's specifically part of the theme/vibe

~ No ball caps please, they simply block too much of the face in most images

~ Most important: wear what makes you feel confident and true to your personal style!

~ Don't stress too much. I don't want outfit selection to be a source of stress or conflict in your photography experience. The focus of photos is your connection, relationships, emotions, not Pinterest perfect clothes.

Colour

Colour palette is the first thing your eye will notice when glancing at an image, so it's a foundational element of your outfits! Session location plays a role in colour palette too.

Choose a warm or cool neutral base (think beige or grey) and build off of that. Use 2 or 3 neutrals with 1 or 2 accent colours, all within the warm or cool framework. I honestly consider some colours to be neutrals too, like denim and olive green. Accent colours such as rich earthy tones, dark muted jewel hues, or soft pastels are a great way to bring in some personal style. Patterns can be a fun way to add pops of colour, but try to stick to simple patterns of a medium or large size like minimal florals, wide stripes, or monochrome plaid.

Check out some example palettes and photos below! Pinterest also has endless examples!

Colour Quick Tips

~ Coordinate instead of matching. Different people should wear varying shades of your neutrals and accent colours rather than the exact same shade

~ Avoid harsh neon colours

~ If including outfit pieces with a print, choose complementing outfits with colours from the print

~ Consider session location. It can be incorporated or contrasted in your outfits. A location with lots of color can allow for a simple palette (white snow and evergreen trees), outfits can be chosen so you don't blend into the environment too much (avoiding green in bright summer trees), colors can complement the location and vibe (autumn tones in the autumn leaves).

~ It can help to pick a "grounding" colour, one that everyone wears in some way; pants, scarf, even as tiny as earrings, as long as it's incorporated

~ Avoid too much black or white (weddings are an exception!)

~ Go for toned colours rather than primary colours. Think Burgundy vs Bright Red, Navy vs Royal Blue, Olive Green vs Rough Rider Green, Lilac vs Purple

~ Consider home decor. Select a colour palette that won't clash with where you'll be hanging prints

Texture & Layering

Texture adds visual interest to your outfits without overwhelming your images the way a lot of different prints would. It's also a great way to add dimension and variety while sticking to your colour palette. Textures include chunky knits, lace, fringe, corduroy, velvet, leather, metals, beading, linen. Texture can be incorporated in your outfit in jackets, sweaters, shoes, hats, even jewelry! Feel free to have fun with these and use as many textures as you would like in everyone's outfits.

Layers add movement and depth to your images. Now is the time to accessorize! This is a great way to add texture as well. A cozy cardigan, leather jacket, sparkly beaded earrings, plush socks showing above boots, a scarf, layered necklaces, lace kimono, knit beanie. Keep in mind your location when accessorizing. A beach in the summer isn't the place for a beanie, but a lace kimono would be perfect!

Texture & Layer Quick Tips

~ Avoid tiny patterns and thin stripes (they simply don't photograph well)

~ Avoid logos, text, and graphics on clothing

~ Don't be afraid to accessorize and dress up a little more than your day to day!

~ Open flannels, jackets, and vests are great ways for men to incorporate layering and texture!

~ No ball caps please! (Nice hats are great!)

~ Use different lengths and fits of layers for more movement (think long flowy skirt with short jacket, tight tank top with long chunky knit cardigan, tall leather boots with short tweed skirt)

Location

It's important to keep your photo session location in mind when selecting outfits and accessories. If we're heading to the beach, it's not the time to wear your best heels, think more flowy dress and strappy sandals. If we're going to a woody area in summer, green isn't a good choice in your colour palette - we don't want to lose you in all the foliage! Both colour and context of your chosen location will limit and guide your outfit choices!

Location Quick Tips

~ Keep the weather and environment in mind. Boots and layers for snowy sessions, comfortable shoes if we're exploring downtown. Sessions include plenty of walking outdoors so be prepared.

~ Plan cohesive layers if the temperature is going to fluctuate.

~ Make sure you can move comfortably. Short skirts may limit what poses we can do, same goes for too tight pants, stiff jackets, etc.

Maternity Styling

~ I know they say "black is slimming", but dear, gorgeous mama, now is not the time to look slim. Show off those curves! Rock that bump! Wearing black can really lose the detail of your baby belly in images.

~ Comfort above all. I know you're feeling heavy and waddling around. Prioritize your comfort while walking and posing and don't pick anything that you're squeezing into or that restricts your movement.

~Pick your outfit first and select coordinating outfits for the rest of your crew. This will ensure you are wearing exactly what you want for your solo shots.