WHAT TO WEAR GUIDE
Compliment and coordinate but don’t get to matchy. It’s as simple as that!
So let’s find your own style to incorporate into your session!
First and foremost, wear clothing suitable for the
current season and temperatures
If you have booked a session for the summer months, sundresses, short sleeve shirts, and sandals are great options! You will freeze if you choose those for the fall or winter, where a heavy sweater with warm boots would be more appropriate. If your outfits hinder you from being comfortable in the current season or temperatures, it will show in your photos, and the discomfort will inevitably shorten your session.
Find a color palette that you love. Then an outfit you feel confident and beautiful in!
Start with the colors you love most, the ones you know that look best against your skin tones. From there, choose clothing in that color that you are confident and comfortable in. When choosing additional outfits, pick colors that compliment each other without looking to matchy-matchy. This will allow multiple people being photographed to have a unique look without clashing in the photos. You can choose to do neutrals with a few pops of colors or a softer palette that has different tones in the chosen color.
If you have a fun patterned outfit you would like to use, limit that pattern to one person or one piece. Multiple patterns can be fun, just separate them up. The pattern you do choose, pull colors from that pattern for the other family members to wear.
Don’t be afraid to layer your clothing and add accessories!
This can add dimension to your clothing by simply using a scarf, cardigan, jacket, hat, etc. Accessories can pull together an outfit and make it look complete!
By simply switching up accessories and layers, you can get multiple looks within the same outfit This is a great use for sessions that only accommodate ONE outfit. Accessories can also be something fun for you to interact with in the photos. Add dimension and interest by mixing up the texture of the clothing material and accents. This is especially important for black and white images to give additional interest to the viewer.
If you’re having trouble choosing your outfits, lay each option out one at a time and take a photo of everything together. That way you can decide between the outfits and get a second opinion from your friends or myself!
Choose one casual outfit and one dressy outfit.
If your session includes time for an outfit change, I highly suggest having one casual and one dressier outfit. This will allow you to capture more of your personality and passions into one session (as well as pleasing parents and grandparents!)
Dresses, the do’s and don’ts
When choosing a dress, please consider the style and design. If you are uncomfortable creating movement, such as spinning around, walking fast, or are unable to sit down without it riding up, your dress is TOO short. Short dresses, or low cut dresses, will drastically limit the poses you are comfortable with, resulting in a much smaller collection of final images.
If you are choosing a dress to sit on or ride your horse in, please make sure it has enough flare to the bottom half or a long slit in the middle or side. This will allow it to lay aesthetically pleasing across the horse’s withers and rump. Mermaid dresses are cute, but are not safe to be on a horse when wearing.
> > Most importantly, please practice wearing the dress with your horse, as many are unfamiliar with fluttery material on them. Safety first!
Many clients have enjoyed purchasing dresses from Joyfolie, Shein, JJ’s House, or renting parachute dresses and skirts from Coffman Couture.
yes please!
Wear seasonal clothes. You’re session will be much more enjoyable if you are comfortable in current temperatures.
Arrange your outfits ahead of time. Lay them out on a bed, including accessories and shoes.
Put some thought into your accessories, shoes & hairstyles!
Be aware of location and footing conditions and how it might look with your outfit.
please don’t …
Wait until last minute to put outfits together.
Wear neon colors, overpowering patterns, or heavily branded clothing. These will distract from YOU and clutter your image.
Wear dirty shoes with your nice outfits. You will notice them. Either choose nice shoes or if you are not photographing with horses, go barefoot.
LADIES …
Use this as an opportunity to pamper yourself by getting your hair styled and makeup done. Makeup should be natural but slighting heavier then normal. Bring your makeup bag and a hairbrush with you incase you need touch-ups along the way.
*Consider updo’s that are pulled back or up to avoid a windblown or tousled hair. Long hair blows everywhere in even 10mph winds, and this will limit us in poses and locations.
gents…
Use the time before your session to get a hair cut, clean shave, and be sure to iron your shirts. Please empty pockets prior to session of any keys, coins, or phones as these will show in the photos.
If you are wearing a dress shirt that wrinkles easily, don’t put it on until you arrive on location. This will avoid wrinkling your clothes on the drive to your session.
Including your horse or dog? Let’s coordinate your colors!
Yes to…
SEASONAL CLOTHES will provide you a much more enjoyable session if you are clothed for current temperatures.
EARTH TONES are great go-to’s for outdoor portraits and blend well with the tones of your horse or dog.
EQUINE SAFE OUTFITS that will protect you and the horse from -god forbid- any injuries, this includes shoes and helmets for minors.
Please AVOID…
WHITE outfits or dresses as it shows every bit of slime!
BLACK, if you are being photographed with your horse against a black background. Your clothes will disappear into the background, leaving you with a floating head.
PATTERNS especially next to horses that are paints, pintos or appaloosas, or dogs that are party or merle colors, as your animal is already sporting a patterned coat!
Check out the colors below to see what will look best with your horse! If the color isn’t listed, try to avoid it. If you have a paint, pinto or appaloosa, color match to their most prominent color and avoid any patterns, as your horse is already wearing one!
Looking for additional suggestions, hop on my Pinterest to see what previous clients have worn!
Last but not least…
Shop local and small businesses! Your local tack store or small boutiques down town will have plenty of options where you can create a one of a kind outfit!
The Classic Equestrian (396 Pettis Ave SE Suite 110. Ada, MI) is excited to assist you in finding the perfect outfit(s) and matching tack for your photoshoot!
Use coupon code j.klein20 when shopping online or in stores to receive 20% OFF!
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Don’t hesitate to reach out! I am looking forward to our upcoming photoshoot and can not wait to make create fine art photos from your beloved memories!
