Use the tips below to prepare for our beach photo session! Too busy? Scan the headlines. These are your photos so, of course, wear whatever you want! However, if you want some direction, I share all my best tips below.
Tips to Get Ready for Your Session
Let’s dig in! We are going over what to wear, things to avoid, and tips to get ready.
1. Dress to Impress
You are more likely to love your photos if you wear something you feel amazing in. Consider dress pants, khakis, your favorite jeans, a cute swimsuit, or a dress. Looking our best improves our confidence and ultimately, our photos.
2. Rent an Outfit
Nothing to wear? Consider renting an outfit from companies like Salt Gowns and JJ’s House or Rent the Runway. Or shop online at Joyfolie.com, Lulu’s.com, or check out Hey Gorgeous Formalwear in Grover Beach, California. Flying dresses can be found at Korinnart.com.
3. Color Coordinate with Groups and Families
Groups should wear colors that blend well together. Consider wearing all pastels, all bright colors, all warm colors, black and white (couples), or different shades of blue and tan. Also, if you choose to bring a furry friend, match their collar and leash too. If you would like help, reach out anytime!
4. Wear Contrasting Colors, Different Shades
Consider wearing different shades of the same color or two if that is easier. If two people stand together and wear dark blue and everyone else wears light colors, your eyes will focus on the dark colors instead of viewing the group as a whole. Wear either light, bright, or dark complementary and contrasting colors.
5. Wear Solid Color Clothing, No Logos or Busy Patterns
Avoid logos, red, neon, busy patterns, or greens in grassy locations. Solid colors are the easiest to match. Busy patterns or too many different patterns create less cohesive photos. To make the outfit selection process easier, I recommend everyone wear solid colors or one or two people wear very subtle patterns like lightly colored wide stripes.
Also avoid narrow stripes, checks, herringbones, tweeds, polka dots, shiny fabrics, and loud plaids. If you aren’t sure about a pattern, it is best to select a solid color instead.
6. Dress for the Weather
It’s hard to enjoy yourself if you, your partner, family, or friends are freezing or sweating! Consider an updo or keep a hair tie nearby for outdoor photos since it can get windy without warning. Bring a matching jacket in case it gets chilly.
7. Fitted Clothes that Allow Movement
Often we mistakenly think that loose clothing, sweaters, and dresses without a waist hide our imperfections. However, loose clothing makes us appear larger than we are. Select clothes that fit well. If you wear a loose dress, consider adding a belt. Also, we will likely walk, run, dance, and sit during our session so wear clothes you can move in if you want those fun shots.
8. Check Your Nails, Shoes & Teeth
Clean under your nails, trim them, remove strings, wipe down your shoes, wear socks without holes, check your seams, and whiten your teeth if necessary. Professional photos reveal everything!
9. Book Hair & Makeup
To take your photos to the next level, book a hair and makeup appointment. I am happy to help you find the best hair and makeup artists for your session.
10. Get Ready Early, Mindset
Prepare your outfits in advance, get ready early, have a snack, turn on your favorite music, dance around your house or hotel, and maybe have a drink before our session! You are more likely to love your photos when you feel relaxed.
Tips to Remember During Our Session
I will do my best to remind you about everything below during our session. However, this is great information to keep in mind anytime you take photos.
11. Great Posture
Stand up tall, hold your shoulders back, tighten your core, pull your hips back, elongate your neck, and hold your chin out and down. Great posture makes a world of difference in photos!
12. Tidy Up & Empty Your Pockets
Empty your pockets, front and back, hide your bags, remove hair ties from your wrist, take off sunglasses, hide your purse, and remove distracting items, anything that does not create a beautiful photo. If you take photos indoors, straighten up a bit. Also, I am happy to hold on to your keys and phone if you want to keep those items with you during our session.
13. Use the Power of Touch
In every photo, gently hold hands, put your arms around your loved ones, or touch their shoulders. Touch not only makes us feel good, but it also creates more connected and loving photos. If you are taking photos solo, lightly touch your own arm, hair, clothing, hands, or face.
14. Give Your Hands Something to Do
Cameras can make us nervous, and forgetting what to do with our hands is easy. I recommend hands go in your pockets and leave your thumbs out, hands on your hips pointed toward your smallest waist, cross your arms, rest one hand gently on your forearm or your other hand, rest your hands gently on your legs, and spread out your fingers a little, holding hands with a neighbor, or wrapping your arm around them. (Bonus tip, bring a prop to keep your hands busy!) I will provide direction, but I greatly appreciate you asking questions if you feel unsure about what to do with your hands.
15. If the Sun is Bright, Face Your Shadow
When the sun is high in the sky or it causes you to squint, face your shadow while keeping the sun at your back. Even better, if it is extra bright or hazy I’ll find an area with even shade for your photos! As the sun is going down and it gets darker or if we go indoors temporarily, we’ll allow natural or artificial lighting to brighten your face during photos.
Bonus Tip: Let’s Talk Golden Hour
Golden hour, when the sun casts a golden glow, takes place approximately an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. This is usually the best time to take photos! However, central California sometimes has more fog during golden hour or haze and wind in the evenings.
Photos taken during the day can be beautiful too! I recommend avoiding pictures from 10 am to 3 pm unless we have shade or clouds, but there are many beautiful times to take photos and different lighting creates different looks.
Questions? Ready to Book?
Reach out today.
