The outfit guide
What to wear for your photos
Everything I've learned from photographing couples and families around Los Angeles about what looks great on camera, and what quietly fights it.
None of this is a rule. If you feel like yourselves, you'll look like yourselves, and that matters more than any color chart.
If you only read one part
The short version
Coordinate, don't match
Pick three or four colors that live well together and spread them around. Matching outfits look staged; a shared palette looks effortless.
Go soft and earthy
Warm neutrals, muted tones and deep jewel colors flatter every skin tone and look timeless. Neon and logos date a photo fast.
Texture over busy prints
Knits, linen, lace, denim, suede. Texture adds depth without pulling focus. Tiny stripes and checks can shimmer strangely on camera.
Wear something that moves
Flowy skirts, a dress that twirls, an open jacket. Movement is what makes candid photos feel alive, especially near the ocean.
Dress for where we're going
The location sets the mood. Bluffs and beaches want something light; downtown at night can handle black and sharper tailoring.
Comfort shows
If you're tugging at it or can't walk in it, it'll read in your face. Bring easy shoes for walking between spots.
Color
Colors that photograph beautifully
My editing is warm and natural, so these are the colors that glow in your gallery. Choose a few that feel like you and build from there.
- Cream
- Oat
- Terracotta
- Rust
- Mustard
- Sage
- Olive
- Dusty blue
- Navy
- Mauve
Great choices
- Earthy neutrals with one richer accent color
- Ivory or cream instead of bright white
- Solid colors, or one subtle pattern per group
- Natural fabrics: linen, cotton, wool, silk, denim
Use with care
- Bright white: lovely in shade, can lose detail in full sun
- Head-to-toe black: great downtown at night, heavy on a beach
- Very saturated red or green: can tint skin nearby
- Big florals: wear them on one person, not everyone
Best to skip
- Logos, slogans and graphic tees
- Neon anything
- Tiny stripes, checks and houndstooth
- Anything sheer that turns see-through when the sun is behind you
Couples
Dressing as a pair
The goal is to look like you belong in the same photo without looking like you planned it together for a week (even if you did).
- Start with the harder outfit. Usually the dress or the statement piece. Then build the other look around its colors.
- Match the formality. A gown next to shorts looks off. A sundress next to chinos and a linen shirt looks just right.
- Vary tone and texture. Cream knit with camel trousers, rust dress with a navy shirt. Contrast keeps you from blending together.
- Lay them side by side. Put both outfits on the bed and take a phone photo. If it looks good there, it'll look good on camera.
- Plan a second look if your session has time for it: one dressier, one more relaxed works beautifully.
Location
Dress for where we're going
Once we've picked a spot, let it guide your outfits. Here's what works best at the places I shoot most.
Beaches & bluffs
Light, flowy fabrics that catch the wind. Be ready to go barefoot. Skip stiff or structured pieces, and bring a layer: it cools off fast once the sun drops.
Hills & canyons
Earth tones against golden grass are magic. Wear boots or shoes you can hike a little in, and think about ticks and foxtails if you're wearing a long skirt.
City & downtown
The one place bolder color, black and sharper tailoring really shine. Expect to walk a few blocks, so bring comfortable shoes to change into.
Courthouses & gardens
Classic and a little dressier. Spanish tile, white walls and greenery love cream, blush, dusty blue and soft florals.
The details
Fit, hair & the little things
- Steam everything. Wrinkles show more on camera than in the mirror, linen especially.
- Check it sitting down. We'll sit on steps, rocks and grass. Make sure your outfit still works when you do.
- Hair and makeup: a touch more than your everyday. Matte powder helps with shine, and a lip color you can reapply is a lifesaver.
- Haircuts are best a week or so before, not the day of.
- Hands show up a lot. Clean, simple nails, and if there's a ring involved, give it a quick clean.
- Empty your pockets. Phones, keys and wallets make lumpy silhouettes. I'm happy to hold onto them.
By session
A few notes for your kind of session
Engagement sessions
Dress like your best date night
- Something a step nicer than everyday, but still you
- Two looks: one dressy, one relaxed
- Bring the dog, the vintage car, the guitar: props that mean something always beat props that don't
Maternity sessions
Celebrate the bump
- Fitted dresses or knits that show your shape, or a long flowing gown for the beach
- Partners and kids in soft neutrals so your look leads
- Comfortable shoes for walking, and a layer for the breeze
Family sessions
Start with the kids
- Pick the kids' outfits first, then build everyone's palette around them
- Clothes they can sit in the grass and run around in
- Skip characters and logos. Pack snacks, wipes and a favorite toy
Your session bag
What to bring
- Your second outfit, steamed and on a hanger
- Comfortable shoes for walking between spots
- A jacket or wrap for after sunset
- Lint roller (pets, sand and car seats are sneaky)
- Hair ties, bobby pins and a small brush
- Lip color and blotting papers
- Water and a small snack
- Anything meaningful you'd like in a few photos
- Bringing your dog? Pack treats, a favorite toy, and a friend or family member to handle the wrangling, so your hands (and outfits) stay free
Still deciding between a few options?
Send me photos of the outfits you're choosing between and I'll tell you which ones will look best where we're shooting.