Bliss Photography: • WHAT TO WEAR •

Need help figuring out what you should wear for your session? You're not alone!
Choosing the perfect wardrobe can be a challenge, especially for groups.

Don't worry, I got you! Here are some helpful tips and links to help you plan.

And if you get stuck, just shoot me an email at helloblissphoto@gmail.com - I'm always happy to help with the process, from the overall theme to the small details!

Don't Match, Coordinate

Folks, the days of jeans or khakis with white polos are gone, and thank goodness.
The key is to coordinate, not put everyone in matching outfits.

The best strategy when starting out is to choose 1-2 main colors and build from there.
Think about where you'll display your printed images for inspiration too.

For instance, if you know that you love purple, or that photos with purple would look amazing in your living room, or your family just looks amazing in purple, then go with it for your main color!

From there, you can create an outfit for everyone that includes at least one of your main colors to tie the outfits together. Or, you can choose a palette to stick to when choosing your pieces, such as light neutrals (cream, pale gold, beige, mocha, ivory, light charcoal).

Think about the style and feeling you want for your images. Casual or dressy? Bright and bold or simple and serene?

Embrace Patterns

You've probably heard that too much pattern is distracting for photos. I say no way.

Mixing up plaid, stripes, florals, etc., can work really well!

Be You

Be prepared to do some snuggling, playing, tickling, and singing! I've got tons of little tricks to help get kiddos smiling and laughing and connecting, and I'm ok with looking insane to bystanders. :)

Genuine smiles, tenderness, joy... real emotions can't just be "turned on" for photos. It takes some experience and a certain fun-loving attitude to get less enthusiastic subjects to loosen up and get into the spirit... luckily, I happen to have both. :)

Layer It On

Layers are a great way to add even more dimension and interest to your outfits. Think about scarves, ties, hats, jewelry, socks, cardigans, etc... bold jewelry looks amazing in photos, and you can really add color, texture, and personality by adding lots of fun accessories.

Get Personal

Is Ben an avid skateboarder? Sarah plays the violin? Mom loves reading, Dad loves football?

Whatever the case may be, amp up the creativity and fun by bringing along some of your favorite things to do as individuals and even as a family. It can create truly precious memories when you look back at images and recall the days when Emmie loved her stuffed sheep more than anything and took it with her everywhere.

Let the Kids Dress Themselves!

Okay, so while you may not want to go that crazy, it is a great idea to consider your kids' personalities when selecting their clothing for the session. If Max loves his superhero cape, why not let him wear for a few photos near the end? The allure of his cape makes a great bribe - I mean treat - for good behavior during the session, and believe me, you'll cherish the photos one day when the cape is outgrown.

Makeup and Hair

Whether you're used to wearing tons of makeup or none at all, the same rule applies. Wear some, but not too much! Makeup should be natural and somewhere between daytime-natural and evening-glam.

Foundation, translucent powder, mascara, and tinted lip gloss help to even out skin tone and make features stand out; eye shadow and such for those who like to wear a little more. Just don't go too far; heavy blush or too-dark eyes or super dark lips can be too much. It's a great idea to do a test run and get opinions prior to your session.

For hair, wearing it down and side-parted is the most flattering for most women. Pulling back a bit can look great too. Younger women and girls can get away with styles like pigtails and braids, so have fun with it! Freshly washed hair always looks shiny and beautiful.

Mommy-To-Be

If you're pregnant, here are some additional tips just for you.

Choose fitted tops! Loose and flowy ones conceal rather than accentuate your beautiful belly and add width in photos.

Wear bottoms with a waistband if you plan to show your belly in any of your images. Over-the-belly and under-belly band styles are comfy, but not ideal for photos. If possible, wear maternity pants that have a real waistband - usually they have a faux-fly, which looks much better than a rolled-down pouch or folded-over band.

Skirts and dresses are adorable on pregnant ladies! If you love flowy, wear a beautiful skirt with a fitted top or a maxi dress. Short dresses are great too; don't forget killer shoes (and a pair of flip flops or flats for before and after the session).

There are tons of fun things to incorporate into your maternity session - ultrasound photo, tiny booties, baby shoes, wooden blocks, etc - we can even do a gender reveal during your session with cake or balloons for a really amazing experience and photos you can share with your little one someday.

The possibilities are endless! Try searching "baby photo prop" or "newborn photo prop" on Etsy.com... prepare to be inspired. :)

Plan Ahead!

Think about your outfits, personal items, makeup, etc at least a couple of weeks before your session. You may need to pick up some extra items, and you'll want time to lay everything out together and make sure it works. You don't want to end up rushing around the day before!

And always, always try things on - clothes and shoes - imagine finding out the day of the session that someone's newly purchased shoes don't fit!