Preparing for Your Pensacola Portrait Session - Part I

What Should I Wear for my Portrait Session?

What's one of mom's biggest stresses before a Family Portrait Session?  What's the #1 question on every high school senior's (and their mom's) mind before their Senior Portrait Session?  What do I get the most emails about before an Engagement Session?  
If you answered "What do I(we) wear?" for each of these - then you're right!  At least 75% of my sessions like to run clothing ideas by me or get my clothing suggestions before a session.  And you know what, I LOVE that part!  I've even had brides text me pictures from a dressing room while trying on outfits for her Engagement Session.  

There are 3 Big Trends (we'll call them the Big 3 from now on), especially for beach pictures.  I'm sure you've seen them: dress everyone in white shirts and jeans, dress everyone in white shirts and khakis, or dress everyone in white.  I get it; these are clothes that everyone has.  No one needs to go shopping, mom doesn't need to stress, etc.  I've shot these pictures.  I've actually been IN these pictures.

To prove to you that no one is immune, here's my mom, step dad, and myself in our "white & khaki" beach picture sometime around 2003.

So to recap:
- we all agree that picking out clothes for your photo session (whatever type that may be) is stressful
- going the Big 3 route is easy - but lacking in wow factor

So where does that leave us...

Seriously consider adding some color to your portrait session!  This doesn't have to involve a family wide shopping trip - if you want to go with one of the Big 3, add a funky belt, show stopping shoes, colorful jewelry, or a scarf.  
Another idea is to put the grown-ups in one of the Big 3 options and have the kids in pops of color.
If you've decided to add color for the whole family, don't be scared!  I'm here to help!  An easy idea is to find an item of clothing that you love for one family member that's some type of pattern and then use the colors in that item to pick outfits for everyone else.

Check out the little guy's plaid shirt in the picture to the right - mom, dad, and big sis are all in solids that are pulled from that one article of clothing.  How easy is that?

All you need to do to add color to your session is pick a color palette or find the perfect, colorful article of clothing and take the plunge!  And ask your photographer for suggestions and opinions - he or she knows the area where you're shooting as well as the time of day!

Feel free to check out my Pinterest board: Inspiration | Clothing Color Combinations for ideas!  I've added a few of my favorite combinations below.

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