You booked your photoshoot and now have no idea what to wear– Don’t worry! Here’s some recommendations coming from years of experience behind the lens and witnessing all levels of what works and what doesn’t for photoshoot attire.
First thing first– what to bring to the shoot and what to leave behind
Bring:
- Drinking water so you don’t get too parched, its hard to smile for an hour straight so make sure you don’t suffer through cotton mouth on top of it. Especially for kids who are eternally thirsty.
- Bribes for kids- if your kiddos are treat motivated make sure its something that is easy to eat quickly and mess free- like cherrios. M&M’s and other similar candies melt in their hands and leave a color in and around their mouth
- Accessories ie sun hat or sunglasses can be fun to add in for some pics
Leave:
- Anything you don’t need on the beach or on your body- like your entire purse (ladies) or wallets and cell phones that are filling up your pockets (guys). Things that we need to constantly keep a side eye on while it sits on the beach is gonna be too distracting from what we’re here to do =Hide them in the car, lock it up and you’ll have more peace of mind for the shoot.
- Wrist hair ties, enough said
Outfits- Basic Do’s and Don’ts-Always always always make sure you feel comfortable in what you wear.
– if it’s too tight that you can’t breathe = leave it at home
– has a ruffle that will keep flapping up in your face in the wind = nope that’s annoying
– too short for you to bend down = woops, peep show
– you have a strap or neckline that needs to keep adjusting = yep your bras showing.
-if you are a sweaty person (mostly applies to the GUYS) = yeah we can see your pit pools– wear an undershirt or tank to absorb sweat
-if you wear a watch and you have an aggressive watch tan– PLEASE– leave it on or wear a cuff to cover it, it will save me literal days of editing time. Just turn off the screen if it is an apple watch.
For little girls/boys with long hair: wear a headband, braid or hairdo that pulls the hair out of their face. We do lots of running and playing shots and we don’t want their faces hidden in hair.
For da babies- I have blankets I can bring that we can lie down on the sand per your request for shots sitting in the sand or of the baby alone on the blanket. But feel free to bring your own necessities:
- Bring any favorite baby toys or rattle to get their attention
- Don’t forget that drool cloth, so you can wipe up slobber on them as well as you
- Consider bringing an extra outfit just in case there’s a blow out! Always good to be safe than sorry.
- Make sure they wear something that hides that diaper!
Let’s make it easy for all of us through this shoot, cause we don’t wanna keep adjusting our wardrobe. I am usually trying to capture emotion and fun moments during your session. So having to keep an ongoing eye on misbehaving outfits is too much multitasking. And interrupts the flow of the shoot.
Choose your color combos
It’s best that the family sticks with a color palette (blues, pastels, greens etc) and doesn’t have too many patterns going on. Too many patterns make a photo dizzy. You can have most people in the group wear solids with a few people like kids or grandparents in patterns looks great.
Time of Day: A Crucial Factor
Depending on the time of day of your session, your color choices can compliment the natural colors of your surroundings.
Morning sessions will have beautifully bright blue skies and ocean scenery. Early evening shoots have a more airy bright white tone. And sunset sessions will have warm pink and yellow and red tones (granted weather plays along)
Try to choose color schemes that will work with your natural settings. Don’t be afraid to go BRIGHT. Yellows, greens, blues, reds. They all look fantastic in photos!
Textures Textures and More Textures!
Besides for choosing a color scheme, try adding different textured fabric amongst each other to really compliment the whole picture.
Ditch the clothes all together
You might even want to bring your suits and take some playing in the ocean, these make for great candids and fun non posey photos!
Stick with same color schemes to complete the look
If you do opt for prints try some Aloha attire that doesn’t look too matchy matchy
Maternity sessions– Show off that belly!
Flower Accessories
If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary maybe consider wearing a lei, or a haku head lei. Flowers accentuate the whole Hawaii vibe of the photos. Guys can wear ti leaf leis if they want to also have a lei, or the kukui nut leis look great too.
Here are some of my recommended florists:
-Kihei-Wailea Flowers by Cora- tel:808-879-7249 https://www.kiheiwaileaflowersbycora.net
-Haku Maui- tel:808-856-0101 https://www.hakumaui.com
Once you get all your outfits, try them on together and do a mirror check. Make sure everyone looks like one big beautiful matchy family.
Furthermore, if you want to send me photos of what you are planning for your outfits before your session I would love to help give approval! It’s always good to have a second opinion 🙂
Maui Portrait Photographer 