Lifestyle Session Outfit & Style Guide

I’m a firm believer that you never have to have a specific reason for a photoshoot! Updated headshots for work, a birthday photoshoot, family lifestyle photos, or just for fun – all are great excuses to get a little dressed up and get in front of the camera to capture your current season of life! There is a lot of freedom and creativity in these shoots, and I want to share an outfit and style guide to make sure you have all the information you need as you prepare for your session!

Let’s talk about OUTFITS for your lifestyle session! Wondering where to start? I’ve created a Pinterest board with some of my top picks of the season! You can also browse some of my favorite places to shop – Anthropologie & Loft!

Style

Depending on the length of your session, we will plan for one or two outfits. The first is typically something fun and casual. Casual dresses, floor-length skirts or dresses, or jeans with a blouse for the girls are usually the way to go. The guys can’t go wrong in jeans and a button down. Think of something you might wear on your birthday or for a holiday. Keep in mind that layering, particularly in the fall, helps add visual interest & variety in posing. The second outfit is usually a bit dressier – something you might wear for a holiday party, classy night out, etc.! A couple things to be aware of that you’ll want to avoid: mismatching the level of dress, logos or graphic tees, and flip-flops or tennis shoes. It’s better to coordinate rather than match!

Fit

We all have our own insecurities and we are usually a lot harder on ourselves than we would like to be! If you have an area of your body that you are uncomfortable with (arms, hips, etc.), don’t hesitate to let me know! That way, I can be on the lookout for angles you might not love and you can focus on feeling great! The last thing I want is for you to be worried about the fit of your clothes during our shoot, so be sure to try everything on beforehand! Keeping this in mind, I encourage you to wear something that makes you feel confident and doesn’t draw unwanted attention to these areas. Ex: if you aren’t crazy about your arms, pick something with flowy sleeves as opposed to short sleeves or tanks!

Hair & Makeup!

Professional hair and makeup can be a fun way to celebrate the occasion and will allow you to feel extra confident during your shoot! Tip: If you’re worried about looking tired or just want a little something special for your portraits, getting false lashes will make the most impact in your portraits! Another thing to note – skip the spray tan! Orange tones tend to pick up easily in photographs.

Colors

If you don’t read anything else on this page, READ THIS!! I generally recommend avoiding small prints such as plaid or polka dots, orange/rust, black, and neon/super bright colors. Instead, stick with softer colors, jewel tones, or neutrals. Some of the most flattering colors are are blush, gray, light blues and greens, and creams. These colors will result in a more light and airy look to your images!

Summary:

1. Splurge a little – get hair & makeup done!
2. Try on your outfits beforehand.
3. Stick with light and neutral colors

Take a look below at some of my favorite outfit inspiration! Ready to book your session?