1. Be Comfortable and True To You!
If fitted clothing isn't something you love to wear, leave it at home! Anything you are not feeling confident in or feel self-conscious about probably isn't the best choice for you! I always reach for the more flowy options when looking for outfits for photos. Flowy outfits allow for more movement in photos, won't have you constantly wondering if its not looking quite right, and is less restricting! Additionally, I love to incorporate movement into my posing prompts so we will likely be sitting on the ground, laying down, walking and doing other things that could be difficult or uncomfortable if you are not comfortable and confident in your outfits!
2. Be Thoughtful About the Colors you Choose!
You want to choose colors that suit your personality and style. These will most likely be your favorite colors. So as a first step, make a list of your favorite colors. No certain amount, just put down the colors you are drawn to the most. Check out your closet and Pinterest pins to see what colors are most prevalent. From those colors choose ones that suit your skin tone. Create a color palette as a guide to choosing your outfits. Start with neutrals, they are a good starting point because they are timeless and versatile. Then add in complementary colors. These are usually muted versions of bright colors. Make sure that your complementary colors work well with your neutral colors. Next, accent colors; this is what will make your outfit pop! Don't be afraid to use bold colors here! Chose 1-3 accent colors to incorporate into your outfits. Accent colors have a lot of visual impact. If you wear shoes in your accent color people eyes will be drawn to your feet in the photo, so keep that in mind! Accent colors don't need to be scary, use them to highlight certain body parts and hide others. They also don't have to be the brightest colors (like neon or bright pink) you just want them to stand out more in comparison to the rest of your color palette. Lastly, metals (aka jewelry)! Choose metals based on your complexion. If you have a warm complexion, warmer metallics will be great for you; cooler metallics will look best on cooler complexions. A neutral complexion can wear either. In your color palette and outfits in general you want to have more neutral and complementary colors than accent colors and metals to create a balanced look.
3. Add Layers
Add dimension and movement to your photos with layers! No matter the season there is always options to add layers to your outfit. In the fall and winter add a vest, flannel, cardigan, or shacket. You could also start with a mock neck long sleeve and add a graphic tee or sweater! In the spring and summer add a denim jacket or lightweight cardigan to spice up an outfit.
4. Add in Some Textures
Sometimes textures like sequins, furs, sparkles, tulle, lace, or subtle patterns may not be an everyday wear, but will really pop in your photos! Try combining different textures to get a unique look!
5. Hair, Accessories & Shoes
Changing and adding accessories can totally change the look of an outfit. When planning your outfits include the accessories you will wear! Think about hats, scarves, statement earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair scarves/accessories, and shoes (or barefoot can be fun too!)! When deciding on how you want your hair to look, think about the outfits you have chosen. Don't be afraid to change up your hair for different outfits. Maybe your classic curled/straight hair looks great with one outfit, but half up-half down is perfect for another, or you have a hat that would look great with braided pigtails. Changing up your hair can be another way to add personality into your photos. All of these pieces are important for an outfit and can bring it all together.
