WARDROBE: WHAT TO WEAR TO A FALL PHOTOSHOOT

WARDROBE: WHAT TO WEAR TO A FALL PHOTOSHOOT

It’s the beginning of September in Edmonton, and the trees are already beginning to change colours. Fall is the most popular time for families to get their photos taken, not to mention the flood of engagement sessions at this time. Autumn can make for a very beautiful backdrop – but there are ways to get the most of your fall photoshoot beyond choosing an amazing photographer and a photogenic location. Wardrobe is a big deal when you are planning your photoshoot in Edmonton.

I like to set up my clients for success; I send them all sorts of information on what looks good, great, and horrible.

1. An Autumn backdrop has very different qualities than any other time of year. A wardrobe that might look great in the Summer, might look completely out of place in the fall. Often I will suggest a very different wardrobe for my Summer clients than what I am about to outline for fall. 

2. Wear light colours. When I say light, I mean whites, creams, and desaturated colours. One thing you want to stay away from is wearing all black. My reasoning for this is that blacks cause a much higher contrast against the bright backdrop, and less detail is retained in the final images. That being said, there are always instances where rules can and should be broken. Black can often have a formal feeling – so for clients wanting a black tie photoshoot, black can be entirely perfect. Black can also have dark connotations, so for clients who want a more moody/romantic feel to their images, it can really compliment that theme.

3. Be formal. Whether it is an engagement session or a family session – you want images that will show the best version of you. For that reason – do not be afraid to dress up. This is what I consider to be the most important part of having your photos professionally done. For women, this means wearing a dress. For men, this means wearing a nice collared shirt and dress shoes. One thing that I have learned is that women who wear heels keep a better posture than women who do not. No, this doesn’t mean that you cannot get great images in flats (and in fact I recommend that all of my women bring flats to change into while walking), but it will make a huge difference in the way that you hold yourself.

4. Get your hair and makeup done. Are you having your engagement photos done? Great: get your hair and makeup trial for that day. One thing that I have learned – from my clients and from my own experiences – is that you will never regret looking like a movie star in your photos. When it comes down to it, I find that couples who take the extra time to dress up and look great for their images have a confidence that shines through in their photos. Also – you’ll be more than ready for that closeup. When it comes to makeup, wear more than you normally would because cameras have a way of making makeup look lighter. If you are a lipstick person, lipstick can look amazing – so long as it doesn’t get all over your fiancé!

5. Stay away from hats. Hats have a way of absorbing light from your face, and creating dark circles. Nobody wants that. That being said, if you have a fun hat that you want to include as a prop for a few of your images – great! Let’s do it!

6. Say NO to logos and large graphics. Logos and graphics can be very distracting in an image. They draw attention away from the subject and toward the clothing. This is the last thing that we want to do – unless you are a model for a clothing company. This rule does not mean that you can’t wear prints or stripes.

7. Solid colours are generally better. There are exceptions – and in some cases I ask my clients to send me images of their wardrobe options before the day of the shoot. It never hurts to ask.

8. Let’s shoot, no matter what the weather. We can shoot with umbrellas if we must, but cloudy dramatic days are exactly the reason that I love my job. If umbrella’s are required, stay away from black because it will absorb the light from your face. If you have little kids let’s wait for nice weather –  nobody wants their baby to get sick or cold.

9. Bring props, but only if they are personal to you. I am not a photographer that brings props – mainly because I do not like to include them unless they are something personal to my clients. For lifestyle type family sessions or engagements, props can be a lot of fun. If you love picnics, bring picnic things! If you love wine, bring your favourite bottle. If your kids play sports, have them bring their glove/ball/whatever they happen to do. My ultimate goal is to capture your dynamic as a couple/family. What better way to do that then to include your favourite things?

10. SEND ME PHOTOS. I happen to love what I do, and I love to chat with my clients about anything and everything. If you have 5 clothing options and you cannot decide what looks best – send me some photos! I would love to help you out!

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! If I missed anything, or if you would like to start a discussion feel free to comment below!