So you're going through your wardrobe and you just can't seem to figure out what you want to wear!  What do you do?  Here are some fantastic tips on making the best of your portraits!

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Tips in General:
1.  Bring a variety of outfits.  You get as many changes as you want without going overboard, and you want the best combinations you can get, so bring lots!  Now, don't bring your whole wardrobe in a moving truck or anything, but do not be ashamed for bringing many ideas!​

2.  Talk before hand.  If you are unsure of what you should wear, or if something is a good idea or not, send an email and ask!  You can describe it, take a picture of it, or both.  Nobody will get mad at you for double-checking or getting ideas.

3.  Check out your locations.  It is important that your clothes fits where we will be going, so go there or read up on it.  Not only do you not want to clash or fight for attention with your surroundings, but you do not want to melt or freeze.  Also look at the weather!

4.  Make sure you are comfortable.  Nobody wants to stand around feeling itchy or uncomfortable, especially when it will ruin the shot!  So do not even bother bringing something you feel weird in.  Also, particularly for girls, it is a good idea to wear shorts under dresses and skirts in case there is a wardrobe malfunction.  It also makes changing easier.  Even check to make sure your undergarments are not showing (Personally, I never had a problem with bra straps.  Let me know if you do so I can check it!)

5.  Stay away from words.  Words are distracting.  Plus, clothes gets rumpled and the words are illegible anyway.  Unless there is something truly significant to them, try to avoid them.

​7.  Look at colors.  Not only do you not want to clash with your background, you also want them to flatter you.  Ask people what looks good on you, and bring a variety of colors in your clothes.​

8.  Make sure it is flattering.  You do not want to accent the less than satisfactory traits, you want to bring out the good traits!  If you worry about your arms, a rule of thumb is the longer the sleeves, the better it looks.  If you are particularly worried, look things up in fashion magazines or online about your shape and what you should wear.  Also, remember that dark colors makes things look smaller.​

9.  What other people say.  Other photographers make recommendations that I do not necessarily agree with.  First of all, many say not to wear bold prints because they do not photograph well.  Personally, I have never noticed a problem with a print not working well except close together.  The only problem may be that it will not look quite right when rumpled.  If bold prints are your personality, flaunt them!  The same goes for 'over' accessorizing and makeup.  Also, the world is full of trends, but most do not stick around.  Dressing in 'fashionable' clothes is not recommended by many because it makes a photo look dated.  However, personally, I like that about a picture because the time you lived in and its fashion works its way into your personality.  The set-ups, angles, and poses will all look dated in our fast-moving world, anyway.  As far as eye wear goes, it adds a terrible glare.  As cool as your hipster frames are, it is not recommended that you wear them.  Some places suggest you borrow frames that look similar or have your eye doctor take out your lenses.  Honestly, that seems like a lot for some pictures.  If you want to, that is fine.  If not, I do not care if you wear your glasses.  Personally, I'm not a huge fan of mine, so I would not wear them for many shots.  If you want to wear them for some shots but not all, we would probably take the same picture twice, just to make sure there is no glare.  If you absolutely cannot see without your glasses on, wear them and then we can take them off right before the shot if you desire.  So for these, it is your call.​

10.  Do not lose yourself!  This tip is the most important tip.  In the midst of all of these ideas, you want to make sure you can fully express who you are.  Photography captures moments in time and of personality, and it is crucial you show it.  Props and clothing are a good way of doing this.  Whether you have a particular fashion sense, play an instrument or sport, or just have something special, clothing and props are valuable tools in showing off you!​

For everything except Special Event Pictures (including wedding receptions).
 

Dressing and Props

Babies - As funny as the, "Instructions Not Included," onesie that his/her aunt found, it is not recommended here.  For baby pictures, it is easiest to capture the adorableness if there are not distracting things on the clothing.  Clothes that has a pattern or is a solid color work best.  Those booties your mother-in-law knitted work well to show that your family cares.  If your child will put up with it, feel free to dress them up a little!  If you want, the baby can wear just his/her diaper, but s/he may not like that as they get older!  Also, if you are planning ahead, have your child wear clothing that is easy to duplicate for senior pictures.  It often looks really cool!  Bring a variety of outfits, in case an...accident should occur.  Hey, it happens!

If you are looking for props, it is strongly recommended that you bring a favorite stuffed animal, pacifier, and/or blanket.  Not only can these be soothing agents, but they will reflect the personality of the baby.
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Pregnant - First of all, I know you love your clothes that fit BEFORE you got pregnant, however, you should probably choose what fits over what does not, of course.  For pregnant pictures, I recommend wearing solid colors that show off your stomach.  Dark colors tend to make things slimmer, so for this, I would not recommend it.  Non-distracting patterns would work too.  Just because it is 'plain' does not mean you can't show personality!  You can choose your favorite color, or you can even match it with your eye color.  If you know the sex of your baby or have started planning the nursery theme, you can match the theme or wear pink/blue in honor of the baby.  If you are comfortable with it, you can show your bare stomach if so desired, so be prepared!​

Bring the father, grandparent, close friend/relative, or god parents as your prop!  Pregnancy pictures are often subtle to draw the attention to your being pregnant, so do not focus so much on props.  People work great!

 

Couples and Wedding- You two look sweet together no matter what, but that does not mean you should not plan something!  Wearing matching outfits (color) may be cheesy, but it always looks sweet.  Another thing to do would be to match each other's eye color.  If you two are poster-perfect for, "Opposites Attract," you could wear contrasting colors, such as black and white or blue and orange, or even each other's favorite colors will work.  Bring a variety of different outfits and we can give you suggestions to compliment each other.  Wording is not recommended unless it has something to do with love because the focus should be on your love, not your face.  Friends can follow the same guidelines, except not so lovey dovey.  Matching colors is not recommended, but a matching style of shirt would work fine!  For weddings, you can wear anything couples wear, or even your gown and tux, if desired.​

For props, bring memorobilia of your relationship.  Jewelry such as rings and bracelets work.  Flowers always look nice, but can be hard to keep fresh!  Depending on your location, we may be able to find some then, so consider planning ahead.  For weddings, if you popped the question in a creative way, bring something about that, or even a wedding bouquet.  Engagement rings are a must!​​

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Group - Group pictures look best with either unity or individualism.  You can even combine the two!  If you want unity, wear matching colors or styles.  Individualism could be each wearing a different style or a different color (looking rainbow).  Choosing different colors, however, may be hard to match your background.  Individuals can also just pick out outfits that show off who they are.  You could combine the two by picking the same style but different colors, or the same colors and letting each individual find it in a different style that is unique to their personality.​​

If your family has a crest, consider incorporating that into your props.  If you have a family trade or hobby, bring something that represents that, too!  If you want an individual approach, each person could bring an item that represents them.

You see that prom dress hanging there and you know it HAS TO GO.  Either you bought it and wore it once or you designed it yourself and want to sell your beautiful product(s).  Obviously, if it is clothes, you should just display it.  A model is suggested for clothes, but will not be provided.  Try to make the makeup match it, but also subtle as to not distract from the product.  If you have a product close to the face (earrings or other jewelry, etc.) then you might want to place more emphasis on how the face looks as far as the makeup goes.​

If you want to use props, it can be something that fits the setting for the clothes.  For example, if it is a prom dress, a matching clutch would work.  If it is a rock-style tee, a guitar or headphones add effect.

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If you sell a product that is not clothing, then your main focus should be the product.  If you have a model, s/he should be wearing simple clothing that still fits the setting of the product.  Also, suppose the person will be holding your product, make sure s/he has nice, smooth hands.  Perhaps providing lotion to make sure they do not look dry would work.

Obviously, the prop for your product would be the product itself.  Avoid including too many other products, or else it will distract from the product.

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No matter what, if you do not have a model, a general suggestion is to focus on the background, and keep props to a minimum (and in the background).​​​

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Whether you are a senior in need of a decent yearbook picture, a model that needs updated material in your portfolio, or just someone looking to have pictures taken, clothing is an important factor in the look of your portrait.  For non-models, a suggestion is that the focus of your wardrobe be your personality.  If you do not like wearing skirts, then don't wear one (except maybe formal).  If you need a mom-approved outfit, bring it and it will be incorporated, but most of your pictures should be for you!  Also, bring many different kinds of clothing so that you have many different options.  Guys, if you just want to wear jeans and bring many shirts, that would be just fine, but you too can bring many different things to wear!  Make sure what you wear matches though - No white socks with dress shoes, no reds that are, "Close enough," etc.  Look up ideas online of not only what others have done, but also check your Facebook for clothes you found that you looked particularly good in.  We want to flaunt your body as well as your personality!  Models, think about wearing something that matches what you would normally model.  If you're a clothes model, wear fashionable attire.  If you model objects, wear something simple and make sure your makeup is perfect so that it matches what you would normally do.​

As far as props go, make sure that you do not bring anything too cheesy like a bundle of fake flowers you dislike or a hat you would never wear.  Bring things that express you, such as sports equipment, a musical instrument, or an award of some kind.  Even your iPod would work if it means that much to you!  Models, if they feel the need, can bring a product they have modeled before.  Whatever your purpose is, you can certainly have fun with your clothes and props.​