I believe outfits can play an important part in the overall look of the photos from your session. When you choose outfits that you love and feel good in, you will love the photos even more. It allows you to be in the moment with your loved ones instead of worrying about how uncomfortable the outfits are, or how you might portray yourself in them.
Trust me, I totally get it – there are many aspects that go into a successful session and planning session outfits is one of those!
let's start styling
Welcome to my
online style guide!
Sure, you could do it yourself...
Sure, you could do it yourself...
But I'm here to help!
From beginning to end, I want to make your session experience as fun and stress-free as possible for you.
With this in mind, I have a few tools to help you find and coordinate outfits to save you stress and time. This styling page is where I give you tips on what to wear and what not to wear for your photos and connect you to my personal styling tool, Style & Select.
Style & Select is an interactive and shoppable styling tool that shows you hundreds of photo worthy tops, bottoms, dresses, and accessories pulled in from well known retailers to give clients, like you, an easier way to figure out what to wear. You just pick your favorites and shop from the Style Board email! If you have something you have found online or that you love in your own closet, feel free to upload an image into the custom upload button via the styling tool so you can see how it coordinates with the rest of the outfit selections.
Once you have selected your favorites, you can email yourself the styling board and you will have links directly to the retailer for purchasing. I will receive a copy of your results, too. As you use the styling tool and start planning outfits, please don't hesitate to email or text me photos of your outfit ideas, too!
Keep reading for details on how to further utilize my personal styling tool – Style & Select – and for some of my best tips on styling outfits for your photos.
Fill out the style questionnaire with the code KARAEVANSPHOTOG via my personal styling tool below.
View immediate results of session outfit ideas and inspiration then email the results to yourself.
Use the styling tool as inspiration to shop for outfits or to dig in your closet and pull the outfits together!
step two
step one
step three
Session Outfit
Styling 101
Multiple Colors – Choose a 2-3 colors color palette in the same tone and sprinkle in some neutrals (my favorite!) to avoid matching.
Patterns & Textures – Don't be afraid to mix patterns such as florals and stripes, or plaids and polka dots. Adding in textures such as velvet, lace, crochet, corduroy can also add visual interest.
Colored Pants – If you are going for an all neutral look, or lots of earth tones, blue denim jeans can throw off the overall look. Instead, use complemetary colored chinos such as olive, burgundy, khaki, grey, etc.
Outfits with Movement – Selecting outfits that can be flowy and show a lot of movement for the girls can create magical images. Stay away from stiff and tight fabrics. Flowy maxi dresses and skirts are a great options. If you are wanting a more casual look, wide leg pants or shorter dresses are also a great option.
Flattering Fits – Accentuate what you love and don't hide your entire body. For example, shift dresses can create unflattering illusions, instead, select a flowy wrap maxi that accentuates your curves without being too form fitting.
what to wear:
Neon Colors & Large Logos – Neon colors can be distracting and cause color casts on your skin. Large logos can be distracting in photos, too.
Athletic Tennis Shoes – Dress the part from head to toe. If you have amazing outfits, but your child is wearing athletic tennis shoes with bright neon colors, it can throw off the entire look. Instead, choose casual tennis shoes such as loafers, boots, booties, or neutral colored sandal.
Everyone in Jeans – Switch it up with different colors or styles of pants throughout your outfits.
Loud Patterns – They are often too distracting. Do not take away from the main focus: YOU!
Matchy, Matchy Outfits – Coordinate instead. Choosing several colors instead of only two will allow you to tie in more variety.
Too Much Black – The photo looses depth if everyone is in all black. Instead, choose other colors such as whites, tans, grays, or ivories to break up the black.
Same Patterns – Don't mix the same patterns twice. i.e. all boys in plaids. All girls in floral. Instead, mix a pattern with a different pattern (ex: stripes and florals).
what not to wear:
helpful styling tips
P.S. I also LOVE sharing Vici and Lulus with clients because they always have amazing photo-ready outfit options, and I keep my Amazon outfit board up-to-date with inspiration, too!
without
having to speak.
- rachel zoe
