What to wear for a photo shoot :: HER

Today we are excited to introduce to you a new guest blogger, Carrie Ryan, a talented Austin, TX-based photographer, who is gracing us with her presence and knowledge on “what to wear for a professional photo shoot.” This a frequently asked question of the Edit team, and we are thrilled to learn from Carrie in this new blog series.
A little about Carrie :: A Houston native, and Baylor graduate, Carrie landed in Austin about 8 years ago and has determined there is no better place to live.  While studying fine art in college,  Carrie developed a keen understanding of many art forms but found herself rooted in photography.   She finds photography to be the most fulfilling of mediums because she can create lasting art and capture life’s most precious moments at the same time. Carrie is the owner of  Sweet Louise Photography where she photographs families, babies, couples, weddings and even food here in Austin and across Texas.  Her work has been seen in Food and Wine magazine as well as wedding blogs and publications nationwide, including most recently as a contributor to the widely-loved Camille Styles Blog.  When not on photoshoots or spending late nights in front of the computer screen, Carrie spends her days entertaining her 2 year old daughter, Mary Mae, and four year old son, Porter.  

Hello, Edit clients and fans! I am here to start a series on what to wear for a professional photo shoot. Head shots, Family Portraits, Engagements…all the same principles apply. For each post in this series, I am going to give you 3 important tips to remember when styling yourself or your family for your next photoshoots. You are paying good money for this service, and you will, hopefully, be printing and hanging onto these photos for years to come…You have to look your best!

Today I will start the series with what SHE should wear. The post is all about inspiration for HER, whomever the lady in the photographs may be…

1 || Choose clothes that have structure and shape! This is not the time for jersey knit or t-shirts. There is a time and place for a jersey maxi dress, but it typically isn’t in a photo shoot. {I say typically, because maternity is the one exception to this rule…where you are trying to show off those beautiful curves.} Jersey knit, t shirts and cotton maxi dresses simply cling and stick in the least shapely ways. In real life they might flow and hang and move and look wonderful, but photos grab a tiny part of a second in time and it usually ends up being when the dress is hitting you in just the wrong spot. It is always safer to choose clothes that have a shape of their own. A little structured dress that has a pulled-in waistline, a pleated skirt with chambray shirt, or jeans and a nice peplum top. These are all examples of clothes that can look dressed up or down and still have structure and give you shape. {See images below for visual examples.}

2 || Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures! Adding variety to your outfit can create interest, especially when the photos are shown in black and white. Gone are the days of jeans and a white collared shirt. Choose bold patterns and textures that represent your style without being overly trendy. It is always best to stick with patterns and styles you will still love in ten years…when that photo is still hanging on your wall. Think stripes and dots, fringe and lace, tweed and silk.

3 || Accessorize! I can’t stress enough the importance of pulling out your accessories for your photos. Accessories are a great way to layer your look, add interest to your outfit and afford the perfect opportunity to add a pop of color to the ensemble. Think statement necklaces, bangles, shoes and even nail polish and lip gloss. A bright red lip and a fresh manicure can do wonders for a simple outfit.

Taking all of the above into account, I’ll leave you with three outfit examples to inspire…