What Do We Wear For Our Photo Shoot? Help?!

“Oh My Gosh!  I just reserved my photo shoot with you and we’re SUPER EXCITED!!  But what do we wear?!  Please help!”  I get this question more often than not and my answer is always the same.  Now, my answer is most often directed to the mom’s, because we all know that it’s the mom’s who will be coordinating the outfits.  My answer is:  Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and that  you can move in, that coordinate rather than are ” matchy-matchy”.  Sounds simple right?

Let me dissect my answer piece by piece.  FEEL COMFORTABLE IN WHAT YOU ARE WEARING, chances are, when you know you look good,  you are going to be feeling a good vibe.  If you’re self conscience about what you are wearing, you will show up totally aware of what does NOT look flattering on you and you just won’t be feeling a good vibe.  It’s like that song, “I’m SEXY and I KNOW it”… THIS is how I want you to come to your photo sessions with me.  You’re feeling great,  your self confidence level is riding a nice high, your  husband is looking at you in that “you know” look.  That’s the best!  Your connection to each other is gonna be really deep and I’m going to photograph it!  Husband’s are always the happiest when their wives are the happiest.  Husband’s are usually along for the ride when it comes to photo shoots, but with my cue’s, he will get to snuggle up close to his wife and you will be able to take a few minutes to be in the moment with each other.  So mamma, if you are feeling good, EVERYONE  is going to be feeling good.  If mamma looks good in the photo, EVERYONE is gonna be looking good in the photo.  Now I know not everyone has this sense of self confidence.  I have a lot of clients who are very shy and not so comfortable in front of the camera.  I HEAR YA!  Believe it or not, I am the same way!!  But your tenseness and introversion will relax as our session moves on and you will more than likely forget that my camera is there and really just be having fun.

WEAR CLOTHES THAT YOU CAN MOVE IN.  So important!  We are out in nature.  We are out in the elements.  We are walking through sand and those dastardly hidden rocks (Ouch! Stubbed toe!).  Sometimes we are climbing down rocks and climbing up rocks to get to where we need to be.  Sometimes we will be standing and sometimes we will be sitting.  We will inevitably get wet!  Mamma’s out there in internet land reading this: short, tight skirts are probably a no-no.  You can’t move in them so leave the ultra racy sexy outfits (and killer spiked heels)  at home.

WEAR CLOTHES THAT COORDINATE RATHER THAN ARE “MATCHY-MATCHY”.  Gone are the days of all white shirts (or black shirts) and khaki pants/shorts.  I personally think that this look tends to date itself really fast and not to mention it says nothing about your personalities.  I know I will get a lot of clients who still love this look, if you do, it’s totally up to you, after all, it is your photographs that you will be displaying on your walls, not mine.  So if you want to wear the white on khaki (or black on khaki),  it’s your call.  One thing I would like to mention to you is to remember again, the Hawaiian backdrop.  At times, it can take center stage of your photograph and you become secondary to it and kind of blend in with the landscape.  Having a wardrobe that is colorful and pops will really take you out of the background and into the foreground of those beautiful, vibrant, landscape shots.  I would suggest choosing a color or two that runs through everyone’s wardrobe, it can be red and blue, it can be orange and turquoise with a base color like white or khaki… whatever the colors are, it is present somehow in your family’s wardrobe.  Now that you have chosen the colors, wear the colors in your style fashion that suits your personality.  The kids don’t have to match, but should coordinate… for example, you have 3 children, one “preppy”, one “skater” and one “goth”… they can all dress in their style of fashion but also have the same color scheme throughout.  Here are some examples of what my clients have put together.

From time to time, my clients prove me wrong and show me that white and khaki combo or the matchy-matchy works great!  But let me preface by saying that it works very well for families that have children under 6.  Just sayin’!   See the following beautiful families that made it work…

So keep in mind that these photo shoots are really about your family who happen to be at a great location at a beach in Hawaii.  Things will happen and not go as planned.  Someone will stub a toe, someone will get sand in places, they didn’t mean to get sand in.  It might get hot and we might start glistening from sweat.  It might be windy and have super sexy, wind blown hair.  It may start sprinkling for a few minutes.  Baby will be finished 15 minutes into our shoot.  Things will happen, but most importantly come with a great attitude and the intention to have a good time and spend some quality time together hugging, kissing, laughing, flirting (for my mom’s and dad’s and engaged couples) and knowing that this time right here is going to be the best 60 minutes you have given me.  Because I’m  photographing YOU and I want to show YOU, what you have given to each other!  We’re aiming for love and connection all around.

Jennifer Brotchie Photography is a professional family and wedding photographer based in Honolulu, Hawaii, the island of O’ahu.  She loves to photograph fun and casual couples and families from around the world.  Known for her vibrant and colorful morning images and stunning, beautiful sunset images, contact jenniferbrotchie@gmail.com for your next professional photo shoot for your family vacation, engagement or wedding.