Memories by Marlena LLC
Style Guide - for everyone!
Let's Talk Fashion!
Your photo session is something to feel your best for and remember forever! Ultimately, I want my clients to feel comfortable and empowered in their photos. Regardless of this guide, the BEST thing you can wear in your session is a genuine smile. You’re never fully dressed without one! BUT if you’re here because you’re stressed, let me ease your worries!
Dress for the Season & the Reason:
First, think of what your session is for. You want your clothing to be a reflection of what vibe we’re capturing. Fun, casual couple’s photos? An everyday, going-out fit can be cute & personalized to you and your partner. A dramatic, romantic maternity sesh? Something a little extra can show off this special time in your life!
Now, even though Virginia weather can be crazy, make sure to keep track of the weather on your session day. If it’s a transitional period, bringing a light jacket, cardigan, or jean shirt to wear over your outfit can add variety to your photos. Hats & scarves can also keep you warm and provide a cozy look.
Is there a chance of rain on your session day? Don’t fret. As long as conditions are safe, rain can be a unique feature for your session. For kids, it can be super fun and make them more excited about taking pictures, bringing out their silly personality. For couples, a cute moment under an umbrella is romantic and intimate. Bring some rain boots and an umbrella! Or, I’m not opposed to recreating a Notebook moment!
Best Dressed
As a Gemini, I’m into drama. This is your time to shine! Don’t be afraid to wear something dramatic and dressy.
This brings us to our most popular feminine clothing piece for photos. Dresses and skirts! I LOVE wearing dresses and skirts to my own sessions because they’re so easy and comfortable to move around in! They also provide the best airflow in those hot summer months. Long, flowy dresses or skirts look amazing in photos because they add extra movement and drama. Twirling around in a light flowy gown is fun AND photogenic!
For maternity sessions, it’s popular to wear a dramatic, body contouring or open maxi dress to reaaaally highlight the baby bump! We wouldn’t want to hide the reason we’re doing the session!
If you think you will be crouching or sitting a lot, be mindful of that in your outfit. Wearing a longer length skirt/dress or even tights under a shorter skirt would be helpful and more comfortable for you when posing closer to the ground with pets or small children.
Keep it Casual
If you’re more of a casual dresser, that’s no problem. Make a unique outfit with colored jeans, shorts, or even overalls. Create some shape with bell bottoms or flared jeans. Don’t forget about the comfy-but-cute palazzo pants, also great for warmer weather!
Another fit I’ve seen in maternity sessions lately is a bandeau bralette or top with a flowy, open button-up and unbuttoned jeans. It just depends on your personality and what best fits your style and vision!
Top it Off
There are SO many different kinds of tops that it can be hard to keep up with. Just keep the weather of your session in mind. Thick, knit sweaters are great for late fall or cozy holiday card photos. Delicate tank or tube tops in the summer are perfect for keeping you cool and avoiding the dreaded underarm sweat stains. If it’s spring or fall, mid length sleeves or even flowy lantern or bell sleeves add a little extra oomph. As I mentioned earlier, consider bringing something to layer with! A plaid flannel, knit cardigan, jean jacket, or sheer patterned coverup can change up a 1 outfit session!
For a Masculine Look
For a fancier look, fitted dress pants with a belt and a short or long sleeve dress shirt, with or without a blazer, look sophisticated and neat. Jeans and a colored button-up are also great for a more casual style, even a solid color or patterned short or long sleeve t-shirt.
Don’t forget about layers! Layering a collared shirt under a sweater in the winter, or a flannel or knit cardigan over a long sleeve shirt adds an extra "layer" of interest. Also, a single colored t-shirt under a patterned button-up adds visual appeal.
Suspenders, vests, ties, and bow ties are also fun and can be unique to you. You can play around with complimenting colors with these as well!
Leather dress shoes or clean sneakers are the way to go for shoes.
Watches, earrings, rings, necklaces, or chains also add that little something extra. Wear the same color of jewelry with your partner if you’re doing a couples session.
Colors that Compliment
When choosing colors in a multi-person session, avoid bright, bold colors that go against each other. It’s totally fine to have one person wear a statement color, as long as the other is wearing something light and neutral like white, or a darker or lighter shade of the same color. Otherwise, choose colors that are muted, either light or dark. These include beige, blush, baby blue, sage green, light gray, pastel yellow, etc. But feel free to pair a light shade of color with a dark shade of the same color.
As for patterns, they can add a lot of interest to a photo. Avoid mixing patterns unless the color palette is the same. Try to break up colors by not wearing the same color on your top or bottom as another person. For example, don’t both wear black tops with white bottoms. Instead, either switch the two or stick with one color palette.
For sessions with more than two people, find one or two main colors and use those to work around the other persons’ outfits. If one person is wearing a light blue dress with white shoes, another could wear a white top and dark blue pants or blue jeans with brown shoes. Other outfits that coordinate could include a white skirt and light blue top with dark blue or white shoes, or a dark blue top with light blue jeans or overalls. Not everyone in your party has to wear the same type of clothes either. Keep visual interest by using different pieces for each person so they’re personality is reflected and everyone is comfortable!
What NOT to Wear
Unless it adds meaning to your photos, it is best to stay away from graphic tees and shirts with logos. Flip flops and sandals are good for beach looks, but generally don’t fit other kinds of sessions. Avoid sweatshirts, sweatpants/shorts, and workout clothes too.
Walk it Off
Depending on the location and time of your session, you could be doing a lot of walking, and possibly up and down hills. Wearing heels or wedges in your session is fantastic for making your legs appear longer (5’3” girl here!!), but remember to bring a pair of slip-on flats, flip flops, or Crocs to wear in between photos. Your feet will thank you later!
Booties or tall boots can act as a cool statement piece for a fall or winter session!
Clean sneakers with clean laces are also a classic. They can be worn with more casual styles or paired with a sundress to dress it down and make your photos feel more “you”.
Confidence is the Best Accessory!
Don’t forget to accessorize! Jewelry and hats and hair accessories, oh my! A cute wide-brim sun hat or fedora can act as a personal touch and prop in your photos. Flower crowns are also super trendy right now! For birthday sessions, I’m SO here for a sparkly tiara.
Jewelry that reflects you and has sentimental meaning can give your photos extra emotion. Don’t forget to mention these important pieces to me!
Do you have tattoos that you love? If you like, keep them visible to photograph!
Here are some accessories to use in your photos:
- Sunhats, fedoras, baseball caps, berets, knit beanies, and earmuffs
- Sunglasses, regular and fun!
- Crew socks and knee or thigh high socks
- Sheer tights, patterned or plain
- Scarves and gloves
- Tote bags or purses
- Flower crowns or tiaras
- Headbands, hairclips, and bandanas
- Umbrellas
- Suspenders, ties, belts, cufflinks, and bowties
- Jewelry such as bracelets, rings, anklets, necklaces, watches, and rings
Beauty Tips
You deserve to feel confident and beautiful during your session, it yields the best results! If you’d like to, I’d recommend a makeup look that you’ve worn before and feel good in. Don’t try different makeup or hair looks right before your session and risk it not working out last minute. However, getting makeup & hair professionally done before a session can really complete the luxury feel of your photoshoot.
Remember to keep your finger and toenails clean and have any polish touched up. I like to take a lot of details whether it be jewelry, tattoos, holding hands, flowers, etc.
All in all, your photoshoot should reflect YOU and the best way to do that is to dress your best, in whatever way that means to you!
The Grande Finale
Whew, that was a lot! I hope that these tips helped ease your mind about dressing for your session. In the end, what REALLY matters is that you be yourself, enjoy your session, and let me create beautiful memories for you!
