what to wear

couples guide

so here’s the rundown…

If you’ve made it to this page, that means you’re officially booked for one of my couples sessions. I’m so stoked to have you! One of the most popular questions I get from my clients is “what do I wear?” And while I could send you Pinterest links with a thousand different outfit ideas, I feel like that would defeat the purpose of creating a session that captures YOUR style and personality. And to be completely honest, I’m not what you would consider a fashionista— half of the time I’m in yoga leggings and my husband’s T-shirts. So what I’m about to tell you isn’t a rule of law— just some tips that I’ve found to work well with past clients.

Basically, I want you guys to show up looking like yourselves. The most important thing to me is that you’re totally comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of people think that they need to go shopping before their session (I mean, it’s always great to have an excuse to splurge on new clothes). But I would actually recommend you also bring outfits that you already own and love; the clothes in your closet that make you feel both comfortable and awesome. Ripped jeans with a flannel around your waist? Sure! Those cute shorts paired with your favorite pumps? Heck ya! These photos will capture who you are at this time in your life. Even when your style changes 30 years from now, I want you to look at these pictures and remember those fun outfits you wore to the fair together the summer before your wedding. And, let’s be real… guys usually aren’t super excited to put on big shiny dress-shoes when they’re used to their comfy Vans.


 
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these tips will help make choosing your outfits fun and easy:

bring options!

first off, i recommend you bring a variety of options. i will look through your mini-wardrobe and choose different outfits as we hop from location to location. this way, i can make sure the color and style of your clothing complements the background of your photos. i want you to be the main focus of each photo. if you only bring a dark green sweater and we decide to shoot in a dark woodsy area, you’ll look like a floating head… and we definitely don’t want that.

but don’t bring your whole wardrobe! we have a limited amount of time, so we want to spend as little time possible on our outfit changes. typically, i’d like you to bring 3-4 pairs of bottoms and 4-5 tops each. then bring a couple of dresses, some accessories, and some jackets/sweaters to accompany your outfits.

i’d also like to note that, most likely, we’ll be in a semi-remote area with no access to a public restroom. that means you’ll be changing in the back of your car. if that’s something you’re not comfortable with, then feel free to bring only one outfit. just make sure you text me a few outfit choices before your session so that i can help you choose which outfit will work best for your photos.

your outfits need to make sense

keep your location in mind while choosing your outfits. if your session is on a beach, then you certainly don’t want to be walking around in heels and an evening gown. If we’re hiking up a mountain to get to your session spot, be sure to wear clothes you can move around in, with shoes that have good tread. i know this seems like a “no duh” tip, but sometimes when people really really like an outfit, they’ll wear it regardless of what their location is. and that usually ends in a super uncomfortable session, as well as photos that just… don’t make sense.

movement

if i could, i would copy and paste this tip onto this page a hundred times. because this is one of the most important things to think about when choosing your outfits; and i’ve watched several clients struggle through their sessions due to their clothing. be sure to choose clothes that you can easily move around in. trust me; you don’t want to spend your session time pulling down your shirt or trying not to flash me. during couples sessions, i’ll ask you to move around from position to position pretty quickly. and sometimes the poses may require you to squat down or leap into your partner’s arms. so wearing your skin-tight leather mini-skirt is probably not the best choice.

i’m also a huge fan of clothing and accessories that move freely and can be caught by the wind. it adds so much energy to the photos and looks freakin’ amazing!

 
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colors

i recommend sticking with neutral and earhty tones. this doesn’t just mean greys and browns. you can find earthy tones in every color (burnt orange, mustard yellow, navy blue, forest green). always steer clear of bright or neon colors; not only are they distracting, but they can cast color onto your skin. if you’re truly bent on wearing a bright color, then please check with me so we can choose a location that will accentuate the color.

 
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patterns

avoid big, loud, chunky patterns. they are distracting and will pull attention away from your faces. stick with smaller, subtle patterns. flannels are probably my exception; they’re not too distracting, and always super cute in photos. also be leary of mixing patterns together. this can create visual chaos and, once again, takes the attention away from your faces.

Also, please iron your clothes before your session! giant lines running down the middle of your shirt looks just as distracting as a crazy pattern… and unless you’re up for paying the “intensive editing” fee for me to remove them, the wrinkles will probably drive you nuts every time you look at your photos.

props

i know, i know… the word “props” probably reminds you of all of the cheesy pinterest photos filled with cheap chalk boards (or basically anything from hobby lobby). but there are way cooler ways to incorporate props into your photos while still maintaining a very genuine feel. here’s the secret: bring things that represent you as a couple! love reading? bring your favorite books! have a dog? bring him! the possibilities are endless; and it’s a really fun way to make your photos unique!

hair + makeup

a lot of my clients ask if they should have their hair and makeup done by a professional. My answer: “whatever makes you feel your feel best.” i don’t think it’s necessary. and i’ve had girls who’ve shown up to their session feeling self-conscious about the amount of makeup their make-up artist put on them. some people love it, and some don’t. if you do decide to hire somebody, just be sure you’re very upfront about how dramatic you want your makeup to look.

also, if you need RECOMMENDations for wonderful hair + makeup artists, let me know! i’ve got some great referrals.