What to wear for photos

How to choose colors that coordinate

Coordinated is not matching. The goal is a small palette that looks like it belongs together. Pick three to five colors. Make most of the group wear the soft, quiet ones. Give one or two people the stronger accent.

Start with the place. Look at what will be behind you. Green woods swallow green shirts. Water swallows pale blue. Brick competes with rust. The planner steers you away from colors that match your backdrop, so people stand out from it.

Then think in tones. Mix light, medium and deep. A group in all medium tones looks flat in photos. A group with one light, one deep and a few mid tones looks layered and easy.

Fabrics and textures by season

Texture adds depth that color cannot. In fall and winter, mix a chunky knit with corduroy or leather. Wool, cashmere, velvet and tweed photograph well in cool months.

In spring and summer, go lighter. Linen, cotton, chambray and flowing dresses move well in a breeze. Linen wrinkles, so steam it the night before and expect some creases. They look natural, not sloppy.

Think about the weather on the day, not just the season. North Carolina can swing from cool mornings to hot afternoons. Dress in layers that you can add or remove.

What to avoid, and why

• Large logos and slogans. They draw the eye away from faces and date the photos.
• Neon colors. They reflect onto skin and can look harsh.
• Tiny stripes, checks and tight patterns. They can create a shimmering effect on screens and in prints.
• Pure white in harsh sun. It can lose detail. Cream and ivory hold detail better. Or shoot near sunset when the light is softer.
• Everything matching. Identical outfits look staged. Coordinated ones look like a family.
• Brand new shoes. Blisters show up in expressions.

Family photos: give everyone a slot

For a family, give each person a primary color and an accent. The coordination board above does this for you. Neighbors in the group get different main colors, and no single color dominates.

Start with the person who has the hardest outfit to find, often a teenager or the parent who dislikes shopping. Build around their favorite color. Then fill in the rest from the palette.

Kids grow and change their minds. Pick the kids outfits first, then the adults. Keep a backup top in the car for spills.

Senior sessions: plan your outfits

Bring the number of outfits your package includes. Package counts: Family, Signature: 1 outfit change. Graduation and senior, Classic: 1 outfit. Graduation and senior, Signature: 2 outfits. Graduation and senior, Elite: multiple locations and outfits. Headshots and personal brand, The Professional: 1 to 2 looks. Headshots and personal brand, The Personal Brand: 2 to 3 outfits or backdrops. If you have more than one, make each look different: a classic look, a dressy look, and one that shows your personality. That might be a team jersey, a band shirt, a work uniform or a favorite jacket.

Bring each outfit on its own hanger with its shoes and accessories. Pick the location with the outfit in mind. A dress looks different on a downtown street than in a field.

Headshots and kids

Headshots are about one thing: a clean frame around your face. Pick a solid color in a mid or deep tone, a neckline that sits well and a jacket you can take off for a second look. Steam everything the night before.

For kids, comfort wins. A child who likes the outfit will smile in it. Let them choose between two options you already approve. Avoid costumes, scratchy fabrics and character shirts.

If you are not sure about an outfit, try it on a few days early. Sit, walk and hug in it. Check it in daylight, not just the bedroom mirror.

Questions about what to wear