Avoid bright colors

Bright lighting situations can cause bright and neon colors to be reflected back on lighter skin tones, causing color casts, which is when the skin looks like it’s tinted that color. If you’d like to still go with those colors, a good alternative is a darker red or perhaps a more neutral/toned down version of pink. Color casts are not usually noticeable on tan, olive, and darker skin tones.

My go-to color scheme-Neutral Colors

Neutrals (ex: tans, whites, blacks, grays, etc ) and the neutral versions of colors (ex: olive vs bright green, rust vs red, mustard, plum, navy, blush, burnt orange) tend to photograph beautifully and more organically than bright colors and minimize colors being reflected back on your faces.

Location

Keep your desired location in mind when designing your outfits. Ask yourself if what you’re thinking of wearing makes sense in that location, or fits the vibe you’re going for. For example, when shooting in the cold or snow, try to dress as warm as possible while still achieving your desired look. Including layers, warm shoes/boots, and even hand and foot warmers is a great way to stay warm. Pictures tend to be a lot more fun for everyone if you’re not freezing, especially for little kids. Another example would be wearing shoes in a sandy area. You may love the way it looks, but it may just not be feasible when walking around for a minute fills your shoes with sand. Just don’t forget to check once in a while if your outfits fit the location and vibe you’re going for.

Accessories add variety

Accessories like wide brim hats, winter hats, fun colored/shaped glasses, and jackets/cardigans are fun and can add variety. I have a few wide brim hats in tan, black, and olive that I can bring to sessions in case anyone wants to use them!

Textures

Textures can add fun detail and depth to images. I love the look of leather, flannel, jean, faux fur, fringe, etc. If it has a weird texture, I love it!

Movement

Flowy material can add beautiful movement to pictures and can take an image from great to AMAZING. So i always love a good flowy dress or loose material shirts etc. If you’re doing an outfit change, I definitely suggest a flowy dress or skirt as one of the options.

Prints

Prints are a yes, but best when kept in small numbers. Small prints are suggested over large as they distract less from faces. Plaid is an exception. I suggest no logos or lettering (vintage band tees are totally an exception to this rule).

Complimentary vs. Matchy

I like to suggest that you wear complimentary clothes, but not too matchy. This helps body parts to not blend together and adds different shades to draw the eye into the image. This also applies to bottoms. If both wearing denim, try different shades, or put someone in black or tan or other neutral colors so legs don’t blend together.

An exception to the not being too matchy rule…

You can never go wrong with putting everyone in shades of white, cream, or light tan. It looks good in almost any location and on almost any skin tone. Just like in the pictures I’ve attached below. Both are wearing white tops and their pictures are FIRE!

Last but not least…

These are just tips! Wear whatever you love and feel comfortable in. These are only meant to be helpful in getting you started in designing cohesive outfits. There are exceptions to every rule so take these with a grain of salt. You do you! Because that’s what these pictures are all about 🙂

Not sure where to start?

Not sure where to start when picking out clothes. Pick one item, whether it be a clothing item, accessory, or shoes, etc, that you absolutely have to have in your pictures and then design the other outfit around it. If you have a concept or idea that you’d like to try, I want to hear all about it! I love throwing ideas around and would love to help your vision come to life.

I’m also happy to make outfit recommendations or help you put outfits together. Please feel free to message me for help with this.

Nail Recommendations

Interested in getting your nails done, but don’t have the time or funds to head to a salon? Press on nails are the bomb and they are waayyyyy easier to do than painting your nails! I recommend Kiss glue on nails from walmart/fred meyer or red aspen nail dashes. I got my Red Aspen nails through Carlie Stylez and they ship to you super fast (within 2-3 business days of your order)!

MUA Artists Recommendations

Macey: Instagram @maceysbeautybook

Mykah: @mykahmua