(the above photo of MY FAMILY was taken by the fabulous Heike Murphy of Heike Murphy Photography!)
Things to consider when selecting wardrobe for your session:
Style! Think about the setting we are using first (studio, nature, urban) and consider what *style* would seem most appropriate for the setting. Nature sessions are best with a more casual, beachy look. Urban sessions are best with more hip, stylish clothes. And studio sessions can go a lot of different directions, depending on what you want the images to look like.
Color! Next, think about colors. Again, think about what you want the images to look like. If you love nature and want to sort of blend in, maybe some delicate tan tones. If you want to pop in an urban setting, pick a couple of bright colors that look good together. For studio, decide if you want something bright and poppy or something more muted and go from there.
For solo portraits of babies and kids, look on Etsy! One of my favorites is The Measure. Check my Facebook page's favorites for other designers.
For families, It's generally a good idea to choose 2-3 colors (gray, yellow, pink), (lime green, purple, denim), and choose different garments and accessories for each family member in those colors. IMPORTANT: I often feel that dads look too buttoned-up during their sessions. Consider that you may be sitting on the floor together in bare feet. A man will look pretty silly doing that if he's wearing a button-down tucked into khakis with a belt. Relax! If you're starting from scratch, go to Old Navy. They usually have things for the entire family that coordinate really well!
USUALLY NO WATCHES. Try to remember not to wear your watch the day of your session, unless it's a stylistic choice--they are distracting in photos, especially on women.
NEWBORNS: I highly recommend you go shopping on Etsy.com before your newborn session for a precious hat, headband, or cocoon--go to Etsy.com and search for "newborn photography props"! One of my favorites is Unravel Me. I may even buy the prop from you after the session. Newborns look best in their bare bottoms; they tend to get swallowed up in clothes, and even in diapers! Feel free to bring a favorite big bowl, vintage chair, or another prop you'd like to see your baby posed in. Also consider bringing any blankets (even the throw from your sofa!) with nice textures/colors. Generally, smaller props (such as stuffed animals) should be saved for older-baby sessions (or for home snapshots). Cloth diapers or Seventh Generation diapers are better than Pampers, but newborns look pretty funny in any diaper; they look better naked. I can always advise you, so call me with any questions. I’ll always encourage the mom to be in the newborn photos, even if it’s just a shoulder or something. Bring or wear a dark or light shirt for yourself, so you can be a background if baby needs to be near mom (or dad). Dads, although it's not advisable to get a new haircut right before a photo session, please have your neck cleaned up a day or two before a newborn session. I often have babies peeking out over dad's shoulder, and a messy hairline on the back of the neck can be a distraction. ALSO: naked babies pee and poo. consider bringing a change of clothes for yourself, and several diapers for baby. For family shots with newborns, solid-colored clothing is best. if you want your photos to be light and airy, wear white (or tan, light pink, light gray, etc.). if you want your photos to be dark and dramatic, wear black (or midnight blue, eggplant, etc.). If you're like me and you LOVE color, wear solid, bright colors!
FOR ALL SESSIONS INCLUDING BABIES AND CHILDREN: Bare feet are usually best in the studio. I usually have everybody sitting on the floor, and if they have shoes on, I get a lot of photos of shoe-bottoms. Great for a Pediped ad, but not for a wall portrait.
MATERNITY: maternity photos should be shot around 32-34 weeks for sufficient impact. For maternity sessions, the most important thing is that your belly be free of indentations and such. Try not to wear tight-fitting elastic or jeans for a few hours before your session (and consider going bra-less that day). Feel free to bring your favorite maternity outfits. Jeans don’t have to button, and tank tops don’t have to stretch all the way over the belly. Bare bellies are gorgeous. For shots of you with your partner or other children, please wear solids (your clothing for these shots should serve as a backdrop for yourselves). My style is very casual and comfortable, and my models do a lot of sitting on the floor, usually in bare feet. Consider this, especially when choosing wardrobe for men. men can sometimes look too tucked-in and uncomfortable. Have men wear solid, background-type colors, either lights or darks. Of course, if your man happens to look great shirtless, we can do that, too!
here’s a list of things to consider bringing, although none of this is necessary (i have lots of sheer wraps for you if the belly is the main focus; you don’t have to wear anything at all). strapless bras, nude panties, pretty panties, shorts, and lingerie. consider bringing one or two really special items from your closet, like a large-brimmed hat or a pair of cowboy boots, or your husband’s favorite heels. maybe you’ve bought something in the past that you’ve never gotten up the nerve to wear in public but you love it – we’ll use it! Jewelry is great.
