A guide for our clients
What to wear
For families, couples and mothers-to-be. You don't need new clothes or a stylist. You need a few good decisions, made in the right order.
Six decisions that make the photographs
- 01
Choose a palette, not a uniform
Pick two or three colors plus one neutral, all from the same family: all soft, all earthy, or all rich. Each color should appear on at least two people. Nobody needs to match.
- 02
Dress one person first
Usually mom, or the mother-to-be. Choose her outfit, then build everyone else around it with colors from it.
- 03
One pattern at most
If someone wears a pattern, keep it subtle and let everyone else wear solids. Add interest with texture instead: linen, eyelet, lace, cable knit, corduroy, denim in different washes.
- 04
Cream or white, never both
Warm cream next to cool white makes one of them look dirty. Pick one for the whole family.
- 05
Let the place set the tone
Flowing and relaxed on the beach, more tailored in town or in the autumn woods. Everyone dresses for the same setting.
- 06
Fabrics that move
Linen, cotton, gauze, chiffon and soft jersey move in the wind and photograph beautifully. Shiny synthetics and stiff pieces do not. Try sitting on the floor and lifting your arms before you decide.
Colors for the place you chose
Cape Cod beach at sunset
Warm light loves warm neutrals. Keep the blues soft so you don't disappear into the sea and sky.
- Sand
- Cream
- Dusty blue
- Navy
- Blush
- Sage
Autumn woods
Take the colors from the leaves. Rich tones with one soft neutral to rest the eye.
- Rust
- Mustard
- Burgundy
- Forest
- Camel
- Cream
Gardens and green fields
Against green, earth tones and soft lights glow. Avoid green on green.
- Ivory
- Blush
- Tan
- Dusty blue
- Soft gray
- Taupe
Florida sun
Light, airy tones photograph well and keep everyone cooler. Leave bright optic white at home on white sand.
- Ivory
- Sand
- Sage
- Muted coral
- Sky
- Tan
Children
Comfort first. Soft cotton, no stiff waistbands, no hard shoes. If she hates bows, skip the bow. Feed them before we start, and bring a backup outfit in the same colors. The best photographs of small children come early in the session.
Mothers-to-be
Fitted stretch fabrics show the bump; flowing chiffon or jersey moves in the wind. Soft neutrals and muted deep tones like burgundy or forest work beautifully. Dress for the body you have today, and bring a second look if you like. The best time is usually between 28 and 34 weeks.
Couples
Match each other's level of dress. If one of you wears a pattern, the other wears a solid. A flowing dress looks best next to something a little more structured. Two looks are easy: one relaxed, one dressed up, or one outfit with a layer to remove. Clean the ring.
Leave at home
- Logos, graphics and characters
- Neon and very bright colors, which cast color onto the skin
- Small, tight stripes and checks
- Smartwatches, fitness bands and hair ties on wrists
- New haircuts or new makeup the day before
- Heavy sneakers and socks on the sand
The week before
- Lay everyone's outfits out together and take a photo in daylight. Send it to us if you want a second opinion.
- Steam everything and take off the tags.
- Have the kids try their outfits on and move in them: sit, run, get picked up.
- Check the forecast for the hour of your session, not the day. Evenings on the coast get cool after sunset.
Bring with you
- A backup outfit for small children, in the same colors
- A brush, hair pins and a hair tie
- Water, a snack and wipes
- A light layer for after sunset
- Simple sandals for the walk in. On the sand we go barefoot.
Still not sure?
Send us a photo of the outfits laid out together in daylight. We are happy to help you choose.
Everyone is together this year.
Tell us when you will all be here and how many of you there are. We choose the place and the hour.