I recommend to all my clients that they wear clothing that is light and neutral, such as white, ivory, nude, tan, and/or grey. That way, the photos will match whatever decor you have in your home, if you choose to print and hang some of your images. In my opinion, blue denim acts like a neutral and I recommend it for a timeless classic look. Plus, it’s easy to match with other neutrals.
Pastels, plaids, and prints are okay with a few exceptions. No thick horizontal stripes, which can look like a prison uniform in black and white. No logos. They are distracting unless you want to advertise the logo for a business, and avoid neon colors. Finally, no thin jersey fabric, especially for dresses, it shows wrinkles easily and can be hard to retouch.
My photography style is candid, informal, and relaxed, so I recommend casual clothes that reflect that tone. Keep it comfortable, especially for children. If they are uncomfortable, they won’t have happy expressions during the shoot.
Layers are great. Jackets, wraps, and cardigans can be taken on or off for different styles and poses. They also provide a great way to incorporate different textures, which will add variety to a neutral color palette. I usually recommend women cover their upper arms with a layer, especially if she is the one holding the baby, which may not be the most flattering arm position.
When dealing with patterns, coordinate but don’t match. Having multiple outfits available or texting your photographer outfit options ahead of time is a great way to prep for the shoot. An easy tip for incorporating a pattern, is keep one main subject such as the mom or dad in a pattern, and have everyone else in neutral or in a solid color that matches a color in the pattern.
Don’t be afraid to accessorize. Fashion photographers and stylists are great at this. A pair of earrings will glam up a casual outfit. Hats will make you look like a fashionista. Sunglasses, even folded on your shirt or in your hair, will add an instant california-cool factor. Most of all, don’t neglect your shoes, unless it’s a beach shoot and then you can go barefoot. I also like to provide accessories for newborns, but if you have something you love, I always encourage my clients to have it ready for the shoot.
In creative projects, rules are made to be broken, so you don’t have to follow any of these recommendations that I mentioned above. However, most of us aren’t fashion bloggers or professional stylists so having guidelines are helpful. To simplify, just remember to be comfortable, casual, and wear bright neutrals.