ok I’m not sure where your mind was going…but I’m here to talk STYLE. First and foremost, I think EVERY session should represent you in some way. No need to purchase a dress you would never normally wear because someone else looked hot in it. Good for them. Now on to you. Look for clothing that creates the mood you want and you feel smokin in ( look at that…another “s” word). I typically start with a mood. For example, this year I didn’t feel the need to be cozy and cuddly with my family…we’ve been together a lot ;). I wanted to represent our fun and quirky side. So, I started there. While sessions with tall grass are probably my personal fav I wanted something edgier and more minimalistic. I like the idea of DOING something in pics, so naturally I thought of things my kids are into right now…..roller skating and scootering (I’m sure that’s a word). And the vision was born. AHHHH! I am here to help you select locations for your shoots. So if you come to me and say “Ok I want something boho and sunny”….I got you. If you say “I want urban and sleek”….I got you. If you say, “I saw this session on your IG page and I love the feel”….you got it…I got you. It’s my J.O.B. and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Please do not feel embarrassed to share thoughts and ideas with me. I can serve you better if we talk about what you like and the feeling you want to create. It really is important and fun.

Next, I had to plan clothing. I keep a pinterest board with color combos I like. It is inspiring and also helpful. I just open it up and find the combo that is calling my name that day and then start searching for outfits in those colors or something similar. Now, if I’m completely honest here….I have been known to over shop for a session. But hey, whatever you don’t wear can be returned so no harm there. It is important to think about where your images are going to be displayed and the feel you are creating. I try to coordinate our clothing with those areas of our house. BW images will fit anywhere so don’t worry if this is too much for you. Now back to the mood, since I wanted a more minimilstic and sleek feel our clothing needed to reflect that. Our outfits needed to be simple. My favorite color is white (cream is better in pics) so off white it was for me. I also love a little something fun or random thrown in…ok leopard shoes I see you. I wanted to keep everybody neutral and keep contrast to a minimum so we went with grey, tan, and cream. DONE. The kids needed to be able to move in their clothes…I needed to like to them….and they needed to stand them 😉 Fin LOVES jumpers…grey jumper for her. Tate would rather wear athletic gear (too bad child) so tan jeans and a dark grey shirt. That way they look good together and with us. Always gotta think about how the kids coordinate with the fam…but also with just each other. And then, Ryan….I knew we needed another lighter color to break thinks up (I didn’t want everyone but me in dark colors when we were together) I figured he would wear jeans so I found him a tan sweater. I also want to mention that I knew where we were doing the session so I knew the colors would work there. When you book a session, I do offer help styling your session. I know some people are super good at this and want to just do it themselves….You go girl! But, if you want me to choose it all….more fun for me. I also offer a free online service that helps as well. If you think you have it all down but want to double check…I’m here for that too.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll blog more about styling for various locations. But really focusing on the mood…sleek, industrial, busy, simple, bright, dark, light, fun, funny, sweet, playful, nostalgic….whatever….is a great place to start.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Some of my go to places to shop for sessions include:

anthropologie, Zara (esp. for the kids), target, lulus, petal and pup, crewcuts, j.crew, shopmaxwell, mango (kids here too), roolee, rylee and cru (kids here as well), baltic born

{and thank you Jara for the amazing pics!}

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