What to wear for your beach session- Connecticut Photographer

I know that figuring out what to wear can feel like the most stressful thing about having family portraits taken. This post is meant to guide and inspire you, and hopefully take some of that stress off! But keep in mind that it is not an exact formula nor is it a prescription of what you HAVE to wear.

The most important thing to remember is to keep it clean and simple, relaxed and comfortable. Keep outfits soft, warm and easy - that way, we can focus all of our time on your family and the connection you have with one another. 

 

Basic Tips:

  • Solid colors always photograph well. There's no risk of distracting from faces, joyful interactions or even the beautiful scenery.

  • Ladies: look for soft, natural fabrics that drape and flow. These make for beautiful portraits and give a sense of motion.

  • Choose colors to pick up the beautiful colors of the ocean and sunsets. Neutrals such as soft pinks, cream, muted blues, soft greens and white all photograph extremely, blending effortlessly with the natural elements rather than competing with them.

  • When in doubt select one patterned outfit for a single person in the family and then pull colors from that pattern to dress everyone else in solid colors to coordinate.

  • Don't worry about shoes. Plan on being barefoot as shoes in the sand aren't really practical and look a little odd. In fact, please don't bring nice sandals to the beach! Sand is pretty good at getting everywhere.

  • Bring a change of clothes or backup shirt/bottoms for little ones and a towel. Someone inevitably gets a bit wet and sandy from the ocean sprays or dips in the ocean!

 

Where to Shop: 

  • For mom: H&M, Old Navy, J. Crew, Forever 21

  • For dad: J. Crew, Zara, Gap, H&M, Target

  • For kids and baby: Zara, Target, Baby Gap, Old Navy

IMG_4726.jpg

This family went with a few patterns, but it still flows lovely!

How to prepare for your next session!

You just booked your session! YAY! Now what? How do you prepare? What should you all wear? I am going to answer all of that for you!

What you wear is important so lets start with that!

Choose your color palette first- PICK 3-4 colors and go with that. Think about the location, the time of the year and the style that you want to get from this. Everyone can express their own sense of style within that palette of colors.

You don’t need to necessarily MATCH, but coordinating is important!

Layers, different patterns on maybe one or 2 people- solid colors for the rest. Start with the kids- and build from there. No kids? Then start with yourself- and build the other person/people.

I tell all my clients. CHOOSE NEUTRAL COLORS.

If we are taking pictures at the studio which is all white/cream loose comfortable clothing! Stick to solid colors/patterns and don’t even worry about the shoes for newborn sessions or beach sessions, we are going to be comfy!

Creams, grays and tans seem to look great on everyone and typically are the go-tos if you aren’t sure what to wear! Even blues look great on everyone! This keeps the FOCUS on the people, not the clothing!

Try to stay away from anything with ‘logos or words’ Of course I love cute quoted shirts, but bring those as a bonus for the kiddos- for babies, keep them comfy. Solid onesies are the way to go, they don’t slide up and block those adorable faces or details!

Remember, you want these photos to hang on walls, put in rooms- keep the colors close to colors that would match your home, and style! If you don’t like to wear dressy clothes - then don’t! Is your home light and bright? moody and dark? Keep it to match you.

Add a POP of color!

The summer/spring it seems to be the corals/light blues, the fall seems to be mustard and I honestly LOVE how it photographs! As long as it isn’t too neon color- then it photographs so nicely!

Choosing THE outfit.

You want to pick outfits that you feel comfortable in, that you’ll be able to sit/bend and move easily in. But you also want to feel beautiful, the more comfortable you are- the better it will photograph! You want it to reflect who you are. Something you would wear!

Keep the session in mind.

Where are we taking pictures? City style? Studio? Woods? Field? Park? You would want to wear what you would in the environment. The woods/fields/parks- maybe a cute pair of flats, boots or sandals. Beach- DITCH The shoes!! Newborn sessions at home, a nice pair of socks maybe or barefoot!

2019-02-26_0001.jpg

Don’t over think this: Keep it simple, relaxed and comfortable! Lets have some fun!

2019-02-26_0002.jpg
2019-02-18_0010.jpg

Connecticut family and newborn photographer // 2018 newborn sessions wrapped up

Well hello friends, it been way too long since I blogged- let alone blogged a session. I seriously am making it a goal to blog MORE in 2019. So help me keep accountable.

Since I missed the entire year of 2018 except one time. I am going to give you a wrap here all HERE… so here it goes.

2018 wrap up:

Lets start with all the babies…

February:

I met Elliot + spent the morning with his sweet family in their home.

I love being able to come to your home to capture these precious moments! Elliot, his big sister, dog and parents were easy going and laid back.. always makes the session go so smoothly!

I love being able to come to your home to capture these precious moments! Elliot, his big sister, dog and parents were easy going and laid back.. always makes the session go so smoothly!


Next up in February was Logan, his sweet parents + guard dogs <3

Logan didn’t want anything to do with sleeping, but that’s totally OK- we got some amazing sweet moments.

Logan didn’t want anything to do with sleeping, but that’s totally OK- we got some amazing sweet moments.

To end February was Salem, her brother + parents

I love the way that big brother Asher cared for his little sister!

I love the way that big brother Asher cared for his little sister!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE FEBRUARY BABIES <3

MARCH

First up, Maelyn &lt;3 Jess and I have grown a great friendship over the last few years, I always LOVE photographing her beautiful family.

First up, Maelyn <3 Jess and I have grown a great friendship over the last few years, I always LOVE photographing her beautiful family.

Next up was Annelise + James… I LOVE TWINS! Im from a family of twins, and I nannied for twins- I just LOVE the connection of them. Isabelle is my cousins best friend, and she’s the sweetest! So of course I LOVE being able to capture these special m…

Next up was Annelise + James… I LOVE TWINS! Im from a family of twins, and I nannied for twins- I just LOVE the connection of them. Isabelle is my cousins best friend, and she’s the sweetest! So of course I LOVE being able to capture these special moments.

APRIL

This sweet family: William was sweet as ever, it just matches his parents!

This sweet family: William was sweet as ever, it just matches his parents!

I loved being able to get some photos of this beautiful mama with her baby bump before Elyse arrived to the world! Damien is seriously the sweetest most gentle toddler i’ve ever met.

I loved being able to get some photos of this beautiful mama with her baby bump before Elyse arrived to the world! Damien is seriously the sweetest most gentle toddler i’ve ever met.

Finnn was and IS ( he was just in my studio last weekend ) one of the sweetest babies- goes with his parents, Always smiling, and such a happy baby! Plus he’s an October baby- and OF course that’s my favorite month ;)

Finnn was and IS ( he was just in my studio last weekend ) one of the sweetest babies- goes with his parents, Always smiling, and such a happy baby! Plus he’s an October baby- and OF course that’s my favorite month ;)

I have about 10 newborn sessions that are not featured due to not wanting to be advertised, I always respect that! :) So we are skipping to the last session of the year.. and this one was at the new studio space!

What you don’t see is that dad got totally pooped on.. ha! But it was 100% worth it &lt;3

What you don’t see is that dad got totally pooped on.. ha! But it was 100% worth it <3

I love having the studio space as an option, because not everyone wants me in their home! My newborn sessions are easy, laid back and I focus on your connection to the baby.