How to dress for my session

Here are the best tips on how to dress for your special photo session — whether it’s for family, senior, or couple portraits — especially when shooting at the beach, in an urban setting, or a historic area. These guidelines focus on achieving elegant and timeless images.

GENERAL STYLE TIPS (for all sessions)

1. Go Timeless Over Trendy
   Choose clothing that won’t look dated in 10 years. Think neutral tones, solid colors, and classic silhouettes.
   
   

2. Coordinate, Don’t Match
   Instead of everyone wearing the same color, build a cohesive palette using 2-3 complementary tones with varied textures or patterns. For example don't pick all white shirts/jeans. It does not emote elegance.
   
   

3. Avoid Logos, Neon, and Busy Prints
   These can distract from faces and the natural beauty of your surroundings.
   
   

4. Dress in Layers and Textures
   Adds visual interest and works great for both urban and historic backdrops.
   
   

5. Choose Clothes that Move Well
   Flowing skirts, dresses, and loose fabrics add elegance, especially beautiful with the ocean breeze in beachy sessions.
   
   

6. Mind the Shoes
   Neutral-toned or classic footwear works best. For beach sessions, barefoot or sandals are great. For urban/historic areas, think chic flats, boots, or dress shoes.

7. Clean and moisturised faces

    Clean hair, clean skin, and lots of moisturiser on faces/hands/legs and lips! Dry flaky skin is not easy to remove post session. If you wear make up, make sure to check it in daylight.

8. Clean finger nails and toe nails

        Even if you have no time for polishing your nails for the session - be sure everyone’s nails are clean and trim.  These are very visible in images.

9. Iron it!

Wrinkles on clothes are even more visible in photos than in person. Get your outfits professionally dry cleaned/pressed pre-session, you will be glad.

FAMILY SESSIONS

• Color Palette Example:
  Soft blues, beige, white, and sage green for the beach.
  Earth tones or jewel tones for urban/historic (like olive, rust, navy) combined with some neutrals, e.g., creams/beiges or browns and blues/jeans.
  
  

• Mom’s Outfit First:
  Start with the mother or primary female outfit, then build the rest of the family around it.
  
  

• Keep Kids Comfortable:
  Happy kids = better photos. Dress them in soft, non-itchy materials and bring backup outfits just in case. No Cheetos/crazy coloured food/drinks on the way to your session! Bring some wet wipes for dirty noses/faces and easy (non-staining) snacks like gold fish/water.
  
  

SENIOR SESSIONS

• Bring Options:
  One formal look (blazer, dress, blouse) + one casual or hobby-related outfit (sports gear, college sweatshirt, etc.)
  
  

• Avoid Ultra-Trendy Styles
  Go for sharp, confident, and age-appropriate outfits that reflect your personality.
  
  

• Simple Jewelry, Minimal Accessories
  Let your face and expression be the focus.
  
  

COUPLE SESSIONS

• Coordinate Tones, Not Outfits
  Choose outfits that feel like they “belong” together without matching.
  
  

• Complement Each Other’s Vibes
  If one partner wears a flowy dress, the other might wear a button-up shirt and chinos for a balanced look.
  
  

• Bring a Change of Clothes
  Casual and elegant options give more storytelling variety.
  
  

BEACH-SPECIFIC TIPS

• Best Colors: Soft neutrals (white, beige, sky blue, blush, sage).
  
  

• Fabrics: Light linen, cotton, or gauze. Avoid black (can look too harsh) and avoid tight clothes (restrictive + sand = no fun).
  
  

• Hair: Expect wind — consider updos, loose braids, or hair accessories for control.
  
  

URBAN-LOOK TIPS

• Best Colors: Rich tones or sleek neutrals (black, tan, burgundy, navy).
  
  

• Play with Contrast: Dress elegantly against textured city backdrops (brick walls, alleyways, murals).
  
  

• Heels & Accessories: These add glam if you’re comfortable in them.
  
  

HISTORIC AREA TIPS

• Best Colors: Earthy tones, soft pastels, or deep colors like emerald and mustard.
  
  

• Fabric & Style: Think vintage-inspired — long skirts, lace, suspenders, timeless patterns (stripes, subtle florals).
  
  

• Avoid Ultra-Modern Looks: Stick to styles that don’t feel too futuristic or sporty.