Clothing Choice and Clothing changes

Clothes are something I get a lot of questions about.

What to wear:

Wear what represents you. That's it. I used to suggest to limit pattern, but I have grown to like patterns. They show personality. And you don't have to worry about patterned clothing when shooting on location like you do shooting in a studio with a background. Look at these photos below. There is plenty of pattern, but it looks good. It coordinates. It shows personality.

2018 Ana & Angel _01- 8x10
Some families like to match.. like matchy matchy. I do that. I like that. Some people prefer to coordinate color and just use what they have. Honestly, I suggest to Dress to Impress. If you feel like you look good, it will come through in the photographs no matter what your clothes look like.

Here are some examples and each is nice. It just depends on what type of picture you want.

Everyday Clothes: Look like you, everyday

Coordinating Colors: I see.. you go together.

2020 Reazin Family_07

Matchy Matchy: Specific clothes just for this session.

It can look more formal to be all in the same color. Which is why we do it for weddings and family portraits.
If you want formal photos, dress formal and it will look formal. If you want fun, dress fun and it will look fun.
2018 Reazin_35

These are from my studio days, around 2014 for all of them. That is my brothers family, my family and the Terrell family.

Simmons FamilySONY DSC

Here is my rule for Clothing Changes!

Change as many times as you want. All it does is waste time.

Point #1

I am only with you for 30 minutes of shooting time.

How many times do you think you can change a full set of clothes and leave time for posing changes and background changes?

Point #2

We shoot on location. There is no changing room.

Point #3

My sessions operate differently than studio. Every time we shoot a set of images in an area the look changes.

Sometimes the only thing that makes the images look cohesive is the clothes.

Point #4

How many photos are you buying? If its only 5-10 and you try to put together a collage or make wall art, all the photos are going to be different from each other if you keep changing clothes. It can create a balance problem when framing art. If your wall portraits are eclectic then it wont matter. If you are very specific about your wall art then I suggest no clothing changes.

Point #5

Rather than change your clothes, use layers. Wear a cardigan, sweater, letterman, hat, or large necklace and then remove it for the change.

I have done sessions in all three ways Same clothes, Accessory Change and All different clothes.

Let me give you some pro and con examples.

This different backgrounds with accessory changes. Two different jackets and addition of a ball and fan.