I am often asked by my clients, what they should wear for their portrait session. While there are no fast and hard rules here are some great tips for being picture perfect.

Combine Colours

When planning an outfit that keeps the attention on you and not your clothing, solid colours tend to work best. In most of my professional photography sessions, there are more than one person, so try and coordinate colours from the opposite side of the colour wheel (complementary colours) or colours adjacent to each other (harmonious colours). You don’t need to all wear the same colour, in fact it looks better if you don’t. Instinctively, we often know what colours work best so trust your instincts.

Avoid patterns and logos

An article of clothing with a prominent logo will date your images very quickly and again, detract from you. Similarly contrasty patterns and patterns with too much going on don’t photograph well. If you want to wear a pattern that you love, stick to only one piece and pair it with something like a great pair of jeans.

Avoid trends

Unless you’ve planned a session to be specifically stylized (like a 30’s theme for your Engagement Session) avoid trendy clothing that will be gone in a year. You don’t want to look back at your images 10 years from now and wonder “what was I thinking?”

Wear denim

If you love your jeans, wear them. Denim looks great in images, and paired with a great shirt, accessories or pair of boots; you’ve got a great, classic and timeless look.

Make sure everyone is dressed for the same season and the location you’ve planned.

In advance of your session, your professional wedding photographer will have spoken to you about the vision you have for your session. Do you want to do something urban and chic, or something soft, pastoral and “romantic”. That will also help to determine what you would like to wear. If you’re planning a great photography session in the snow…dress for it. Although you want to avoid “bulky looking items” (see more in the layers section) you also don’t want to be freezing through the session. If there is more than one person in the photo session, make sure you are both on the same page. If she’s wearing a great little fall coat and boots, he shouldn’t be wearing flip flops and shorts.

Think layers

Layered clothing works really well. Not only is it the easiest way to get some varied looks in the session, it can avoid a bulky, oversized look that could add weight to any person’s physique.

Have your face be the center of attention.

In any great professional portrait, you want to see the person first; clothes second. That goes for other areas of skin too-any area of skin larger than your face will draw attention in the portrait. Avoid low cut tops and for arms; long sleeves or ¾ length look best. Use your fashion sense though because a cute little sun dress could just be the perfect bit of clothing for your session.

Comfort is key

If you have some great ideas for your session that involve laying on the ground, walking a great distance or getting wet, dress for this accordingly. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing…it will show in your images. If you however have a great pair of heels that you’d love to wear in some or all of the photos, bring along a pair of flats you can change into.

Finally and Most Importantly…It’s all about YOU

Wear something you feel comfortable in; something that makes you feel gorgeous and confident. At the end of the day, you will shine in the professional portraits, regardless of what you are wearing; because you’ve invested in a professional wedding photographer who will know how to make YOU the focus and let your personality shine through.

You may think that chemistry happens naturally, but many clients feel nervous at a photo session. Find out if a complimentary Free Engagement Session is included in your package. This will help you ease any anxiety and help you in understanding how you will all work together. It will make all the difference on your Wedding day.
To find a photographer who will not only want to meet your expectations but to exceed them, start evaluating them from your first correspondence. Are they easy to get a hold via email or phone and do they answer your questions in a professional and timely manner? During the interview process do you feel at ease around them and can you see yourself working with them for up to 14 hours on your Wedding day?
Browse as many photographers’ websites as you can to see whose work excites you. Do their images radiate emotion and energy and have the glamorous feel you crave?
A photographer who has a professional degree and is continuously improving their artistry, will have a portfolio of work where the images appear effortless. You don’t notice the fancy Photoshop techniques; you see the couple. Note if they have they won awards and who has hired them. Having photographed someone noteworthy such as a celebrity or professional athlete says they’ve got coveted skills and know how to make clients look their best.
When someone suggests your uncle can photograph your Wedding with his new camera…you’ve got to know his “point and shoot” won’t capture you looking your most beautiful. A professional photographer has invested tens of thousands of dollars in professional gear and countless hours of training. Make peace with the fact that you’ll invest a minimum of 10 percent (or more) of your Wedding budget into hiring a professional wedding photographer. That can easily run between $2,500 and $6,500 depending on the photographer and the package you chose.
Ask if the photographer you are contemplating hiring offers financing. That way you don’t end up hiring a photographer based solely on price. What problem would you prefer? Seeing your photos and disliking them or looking better than you ever dreamed possible?
A Wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience. Finding a photographer who captures it more beautifully than you ever thought possible is worth more than anything else on your day. For generations to come, it’s the photos that will tell the story of your magical fairytale. Find a professional wedding photographer who will make them sizzle!

It was a pleasure to be their choice of Vernon Wedding Photographers

Photographed at the gorgeous Summerhill Pyramid Winery and the historic Hotel Eldorado.
Okanagan Winery Wedding Photographers

Photographed at the picturesque Elysium Gardens and chic Kelowna Art Gallery.
Kelowna Wedding Photographer

It was a pleasure to be their choice of Okanagan Wedding Photographers

It was a pleasure to be their choice of BC Wedding Photographers