Preparing for your couple’s session
Hey hey! I'm so thrilled to have you in front of my lens!
I know it can be nerve-wracking to be in front of the camera. I've been in your shoes! I'll be coaching and encouraging you the whole time so it’s as easy and comfortable as possible. Read through these tips below and take some time several days before your session to get things ready. You will be so glad you did!
As you read through these, please know my intention is not to be restricting. I want you to feel like yourself, for sure. That said, after years of doing sessions with all kinds of couples, I’ve been able to narrow down what really looks best in photos and what doesn’t. It’s my hope that you were drawn to my work because of a certain style - following these tips just helps ensure you’ll get the same timeless look from your photos that’s evident in the work of mine you’ve already seen!
All of the photos in this guide are examples of what DOES look good. Hopefully they give you some ideas and inspiration! As always, text me if you’re unsure on outfits! We’ll find something that makes you look and feel amazing.
-Kaitlyn
THE PORTRAIT GUIDE
Selecting Outfits
Styles come and go, but certain types of clothes just look more timeless, photograph better and enhance the overall look of your photos. If you're having trouble deciding what to wear, text me! I'm happy to send suggestions and give honest feedback on outfit ideas. Because changing clothes takes time and interrupts the flow of the session once you're in the groove, we'll stick to two outfits max (one for mini sessions).
CLOTHING RECOMMENDATIONS
DO stick to light neutral colors as the base for your outfits. Cream, oatmeal, sage green, chambray, grayish blue, taupe, khaki, light gray, light pink, olive green, tan - the ideal color palette is earthy tones in soft shades of khaki, cream, green, blue or blush. Soft and heathery colors are the name of the game here and truly work best for my style of shooting & editing.
Flowy dresses always look great in photos and are universally flattering. Looser, less structured dresses allow for ease of movement and help you to not worry about your clothing as we’re shooting. If you’d prefer something other than a dress, consider light wash jeans and an “elevated casual” tank top, a silk skirt and knit sweater combo – anything with subtle details/patterns/texture.
For guys, elevated casual is key. Nice cotton, linen or chambray button-downs photograph really nicely, and even solid colored cotton tees work well– just be cautious of sweat showing. Pair with jeans or dockers/chinos in a taupe/khaki shade. If he prefers something less structured, a soft sweater or solid-colored henley are great options. I recommend bringing shirts on a hanger and changing once you arrive to avoid wrinkles from the car ride.
Leather shoes or boots for the guys … booties, comfortable heels or nice sandals for the ladies!
Avoid synthetic fabrics with sheen, like polyester, and materials with lots of stretch, like jersey/spandex cotton, as these tend not to photograph as well as other fabrics.
DO coordinate. Not matchy-matchy, but your colors should complement each other. Neutrals always pair well together. If one of you is wearing something with a simple pattern, the other should wear more muted solids.
DO go for something with texture, especially in colder months. Chambray, corduroy, suede, wool, chunky knits, velvet - these are all great and really help elevate your whole look. Softness is key.
DO iron or steam everything beforehand, and change after arriving at our location. Wrinkles are tough to edit out!
DO accessorize, if that’s your thing, but make sure to take hair ties and Apple watches off for photos, and keep phones and keys out of pockets.
DON'T wear "busy" clothing. Stay away from stripes of any kind, and for plaids, the simpler the better. Tiny squares and two-toned plaids work fine, but anything with BIG squares or lots of bold intersecting lines, not so much. Floral can be busy, so it's best if paired with solid, soft neutrals. If you go with a floral pattern, again, the simpler and softer, the better.
DON'T have visible logos. The tiny logos on the chest pocket of guys' shirts are fine, but nothing with big logos or text.
DON'T wear golf shirts. Nothing against golfers, but golf shirts just do not photograph well, and polyester has a sheen to it that looks out of place next to other materials.
location, location, location
If you have a location in mind that's meaningful to you as a couple, let's do it! A family ranch, a cool downtown building - I'm up for anything and always down to explore.
If you don't have anywhere in mind, I've scouted out several great locations in towns where I frequently shoot, so I can suggest a few places depending on whether you prefer open rural settings, other natural or waterfront environments, or more urban spots. We'll typically stick to one location unless we have two that aren't more than a few minutes' drive from each other.
THE DETAILS
Little things: Because you'll notice them later. Haircuts for the guys, nail touch-ups for the ladies - but skip the bright mani - they can be distracting in photos.
Spray tans: I don't advise them. While you do want to cover up tan lines, there’s no guarantee a spray tan will look like your natural skin tone in professional photos (pale always looks better than orange), and any flaws in the application will stick out.
Extras: Don't feel like you have to pack a whole bag, but lipstick and powder for touch-ups never hurts.
The Takeaways: Soft colors and textures. Earthy tones. Simple. Elevated casual, but ultimately still YOU!