Ultimate outfit guide
Why do you and your partner make a perfect pair?
You probably have a lot in common, but also different interests.
Maybe you balance out each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Your outfits should reflect those qualities: balance, commonality, individuality.
Coordinating Outfits
Coordinate & Compliment
The goal: Compliment not Copy
Pairing a color scheme or material with your sweetheart helps you look coherent, while leaving room for interpretation.
Maybe you both rock a little leather. Maybe one person has a green top and the other person has a green hat.
Try coordinating, but you don’t need to look identical. Let your personal style shine through!
Matchy-matchy
Ok, so we are contradicting ourselves here. If you like matching outfits, this can be very cute. If you choose to do this, we suggest only having one of your outfits match.
Look at these adorable matching leather jackets!
Match the mood
Our standard photoshoot packages include 2 outfits. We suggest you take this opportunity to wear one dressy outfit and one casual fit. To look in sync with your beau, make sure your mood matches. One person in a formal outfit will look strange next to someone in everyday clothes.
Timeless and Classic
Classic pieces that you’ve loved for a long time versus trendy outfits will stand the test of time. We want your photos to feel timeless, so you’re sure to love them years down the road.
Of course, “classic” can mean something different to every person. We suggest wearing what you have always gravitated towards, and always feel beautiful in.
Color Palette
Color Palette
Finding a great palette goes back to the color wheel. While we use color theory for art and design, it can guide us with our clothes.
Contrast/Complementary
Colors directly opposite of eachother on the color wheel create contrast and beautiful juxtaposition.
Analogous
Analogous colors are three colors directly next to each other on the color wheel. This is a coherent and harmonious look.
Triadic
Triadic colors are three colors equally spaced on the color wheel. Like analogous, this is harmonious but is more vibrant and bold.
Neutral + Monochromatic
We think neutrals are anything but boring. We love to have you and your love pops, so neutrals ensure that you see you first rather than your clothes.
Maybe you love to wear red. Try a look with different shades of red and pink.
Tips
Consider your color season
Wearing colors that make you shine and compliment your skin tone, hair and eyes helps you stand out. Here’s a fun tool, for finding your color season: ColorWise
Consider your environment
Does your location have a distinct color to it? We want to work with your backdrop as much as you work with each other.
Color Palette Inspiration
Complimentary colors
Not only is this a great example of how to use patterns, but these outfits also compliment the location.
The hues of blue look amazing with the orange accents in the backdrop.
Neutrals with a pop of color
Photo #1: For this non-profit branding session, they wore mostly neutrals. Their outfits were mostly black, but their was some maroon accents in the button up shirt and maroon lipstick.
It also matched the accent pillow, which was a complimentary color to the green cusion.
Photo #2: I love how this couple has a yin yang look, with a white top/black pants and black top/white pants.
The denim jacket adds interest with a pop of color and texture.
Bold primary colors
One of the most common triadic combos are the three primary colors: blue, red and yellow.
This couple wore two of those colors, for a bold vibrant look. The red rocks had a burgundy/purple tone, which is a mix of the colors they wore.
If you choose a primary color, you can balance it with a complimentary color or pair it with neutrals.
Texture & Pattern
Texture & Pattern
Texture
Consider the material you're wearing and how it might look in photos.
We love incorporating movement into our images, and so having something like a flowy dress conveys a dynamic, romantic feel.
The flowy scarf and skirt shows the movement from the couple walking.
Pattern
If you wear patterns, having one person only or one element, looks the best.
There's two patterns I highly advise against: pinstripes and tiny checkmarks. For some reason they look wonky in photographs.
Soft patterns are best, so they aren’t distracting.
The soft floral pattern looked beautiful with the solid blue shirt.
Preparing for your photoshoot
How to prepare
Getting it right in camera
While we will professionally retouch your images, it’s always best to make sure everything looks right in camera. We offer natural retouching, but don’t do excessive editing. Galleries on average include 200-300 images, so, if you want us to add on lipstick to every photo we will ask for an additional editing fee.
Please also keep in mind that some things are difficult to edit out like flyaways or excessive lint.
Makeup can get moved around while your smooching.
If there's anything you're concerned about, stopping for little touch ups is always easier than fixing it in post.
Some items you might consider bringing:
Travel hairspray, hair gel or water to help with flyaways
Mini lint roller
Makeup for retouches — lipstick, powder, etc.
Hair brush
More tips:
Wear clothes that fit you well
Steam or iron out wrinkles before your photoshoot
Bring one backup outfit in case there’s any accident. As someone who is always drinking coffee, I’ve learned to bring another outfit for special occasions.
Prep for the elements
If we have an outdoor photoshoot, most likely we are hiking. To prepare for what mother nature might throw at ya, bring hiking shoes, jackets and whatever you need to stay comfortable.
Some items you might consider bringing:
Waterproof bag to carry your items. We might need to set it on the ground, and don’t want to ruin your clothes.
Practical shoes — you can change into your dressy shoes during photos.
Jacket, gloves other warm items for chilly sessions
Sun glasses and sun hats for bright days
Water and snacks! Make sure you’re taking care of yourself and have enough fuel.
Changing outfits
If your photo session includes more than one outfit, make a game plan for when you’re going to change. We may be far from your car, and you’ll have to duck behind a tree to change.
Some items you might consider bringing:
Large coat or blanket to change behind
More tips:
Wear the outfit that’s the most comfortable first. This will help you feel more natural as we get the photo session started.