What To Wear For Your Senior Portrait Session

Senior sessions are so much fun to photograph for my clients, as this is a season of change, growth, and excitement! I’ve got a few tips below for my senior clients as they decide what to wear for their session. I hope it makes this process a little easier while they are busy making so many other decisions during this time. :) 

1. Personality Pieces

One thing I love about senior sessions is that we can infuse a little extra personality in these, as we want to highlight this specific time in this one person’s life. Though I do think a “normal” outfit or two is great to bring, I also love outfits that are especially “them”. From sports jerseys and band uniforms, to simply throwing on some Converses, heels, or wearing a favorite hat, adding these more meaningful pieces will make these pictures feel a bit more special when you look back at them later. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, as there is usually time for a few different looks!

 *I always encourage my seniors to bring sentimental items that we can naturally incorporate into the session as well. Musical instruments, favorite books, sports equipment, heirloom quilts— these are just a few things we’ve seen!

2. Timeless Outfits

Though we do want to incorporate your personality into your session, I do think a more timeless option is still a good idea. These pictures will be around for a long time, and having all super trendy outfits will make these look a little more dated more quickly. Try to bring at least one outfit option that is a bit more classic (that doesn’t have to mean stiff and outdated, but think little black dress vs. high waisted jeans, or a button down shirt vs. all graphic tees.) 

3. Mix it Up

There are so many ways to mix up your outfits to make sure you have a good variety at your senior session. You can start by including different colors in each outfit— you don’t want to look back and realize all your outfits were blue! :) Then, I always recommend having at least one dressy option and one casual, but that can be whatever that means to you. Lastly, if appropriate for that season, mix it up between pants and shorts or, for the ladies, throw in a dress or skirt.

4. Accessorize

A great way to add some extra options easily is through accessories! Bringing a hat, a jacket, scarves, vests, and jewelry that we can add or take away for some pictures will give you more options, while not requiring a full outfit change. 

5. The Practical Stuff

Colors- I don’t have specific colors I always love or don’t like, but I do recommend staying away from super saturated, neon colors. They can be a bit distracting, and can splash those colors onto your skin. 

Patterns- I don’t ban all patterns, but I do think it is a good idea to keep patterns on the less busy side of things, and to break patterns up with some solids. Just like super bright colors, busy patterns can be a bit distracting. I do, however, love texture and layers! Cozy wool sweaters, scarves, or vests are a great way to add visual interest, while keeping the focus on you. 

Fit- Make sure your outfits look great whether you are standing or sitting. Guys, make sure your pants aren’t too short to sit in, because seeing too much of a gap between your feet and your pants legs is not the best look. :) Ladies, those little dresses can be super cute, but keep in mind you’ll probably be sitting in a few pictures as well! A shorter dress or skirt may just mean we won’t be able to get as much variety in that particular outfit, so if you want to bring one, try to bring another option with you that you will be able to comfortably sit in. Also, consider bringing a camisole to wear under any shirts/dresses that will show underclothes around the neck or underarms.

I hope this is helpful for you as you plan your outfits for your senior pictures!

Wardrobe Tips For Your Family Photoshoot

If you have decided it is about time to get those family portraits updated, you may have wondered "What in the world are we all going to wear?" And really, that is a great starting point, because wardrobe is such a big part of a photo session! But I've got a few tips for ya so maybe you can feel a bit better as you go through closets and start putting together your outfits. :) 

1. Start With A Color Scheme
Gone are the days of everyone wearing the exact same thing (black shirts and jeans, white shirts and khakis, anyone?) Though I'm sure those outfits were a lot easier to put together, it isn't exactly what I recommend now.  Instead, I suggest choosing a color scheme to work with, and pulling together outfits around that theme. This could be more specific and monotone, such as everyone wearing a neutral and a shade of blue, or you can go a little more general and have everyone wear fall colors or pastels. You can also pick complementary colors, such as this aqua and coral combination. 

Coral + Aqua Color Combination

Neutrals are always a safe bet if you'd like your pictures to stay timeless and go with the decor in your home for years to come! 

2. But... How Do I Decide On a Color Scheme? 
When deciding on a color scheme for your session, look around your home. What colors would look best when they are up on your walls? What colors do you often decorate with? If everything in your home is neutral and shabby chic, I would stay closer to the same look in your clothing, instead of putting everyone in a pop of color. But if bright colors make your heart sing, then maybe that is the direction you should go (though I personally would choose a neutral to go with the bright colors, so the clothing isn't too distracting!)  

Even if your session doesn't take place in your home, think about how your pictures will look on your walls. You want your style to be reflected in your clothing, just like it is in your decor! 

3. Textures > Patterns
I am not a photographer who bans all patterns, but I do suggest breaking up busy patterns with lots of solids. Maybe keep patterns limited to undershirts or scarves, or have one or two people with a pattern and keep the rest of you in solids. I do suggest, however, textures and layers! In the fall, this could mean vests and knit cardigans, but in the summer, of course, we may want to keep it a little more simple due to the heat. :) Bringing necklaces and bracelets for the ladies, though, is a great way to incorporate more visual interest without adding more heavy layers. Hats are always a fun option as well!

Sweaters, vests, and jewelry add texture and visual interest, while the patterns are split up between lots of solids. A+ on these outfits! 

4. Dress For The Season
This may seem silly, but it is worth mentioning-- Make sure your family is dressed for the season you are in! If it is a cool, winter month, it looks great and it will help your family be more comfortable to add on a scarf or vest, and don't forget some leggings with those dresses. If your session is in the summer, lighter tones and pastel colors may look a little better with the colorful scenery versus dark tones that bring to mind cool times of year (and lighter tones will keep you cooler, too!)

5. Finally, Make Sure It Fits
Lastly, before your session (like, days before, not the morning of!) have everyone try on their outfits and shoes and make sure it all still fits. Little ones grow quickly, and sometimes not as quickly as we think they will, so it is better to be prepared in advance if you need to grab a different pair of shoes before your session or hem up some pants. 

I hope this helps you the next time you're preparing for your family's portrait session! 

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

If you are a soon-to be bride, I’m so excited for you! Planning a wedding can be such a fun process, it is all our little girl dreams come true. If you are anything like me, you have been planning your wedding since you were about five years old. Though my tastes have changed since then (I remember wanting a wedding dress surprisingly similar to Cinderella’s gown in the cartoon, complete with the fluffy skirt and sparkles) the thought of picking out my flowers and colors and making this day our own never lost its excitement. Since being a bride three years ago though (where has the time gone?!), I have realized a few things about planning a wedding that I never really thought about before our special day came to be. While there are so many fun things about planning a wedding, there are a ton of things to consider. And that is why hiring a planner may not be such a bad idea! 

I talked with two of my favorite local wedding planners, Susanne Marsidi and Keisha Norwood, while putting together this post. I’m grateful for their insight, and highly recommend both of them if you are looking for a planner in this area! 

1. Planners Are In The Know
Both Susanne and Keisha meet with their clients as early as the engagement to get to know their tastes, what they hope for their wedding to be like, and even to offer suggestions for vendors. A good wedding planner will know how things are done traditionally, while being up-to-date on the newest trends, so they can help you make decisions that will best fit your wedding. This doesn’t just apply to flowers and colors, but to vendors and venues as well! It’s not a bad idea to make hiring a planner the first thing on your list, because they have a wealth of information that can be useful in the rest of your decisions. 

2. Planners Are All About The Details
Most venues will not let you start decorating and setting up until the Friday before or even the day of your wedding, and, as Susanne pointed out, that is when the bride, her mom (and future mother-in-law!), and her girls are usually the busiest. Will you have time to take care of all the decorating and last-minute details, while also getting ready for the rehearsal dinner? Or even while you are having your hair and makeup done on the wedding day? And if you don’t have time, will your family or friends? Do they know where to hang the flower arrangements, where to set up the tables for your programs, and where those carefully chosen decorations go? A wedding planner and team can take care of all these details so you can relax and know that these things are getting done— and getting done beautifully! “You can't put a price on a bride's wedding day going smoothly, or their peace of mind knowing that everything is being taken care of while they are getting ready for one of the most important days of their lives,” Keisha wrote.

3. Planners Are The Guides
As a wedding photographer, I thought we would be fine without a planner for our day because I had seen it all before. I’ve followed couples through their wedding days lots and lots of times, so I was prepared for anything! But then, during our rehearsal, I realized I hadn’t thought about the order our family needed to be seated for the ceremony, or even where we wanted each of them to sit. There were about fifteen minutes of me feeling completely frazzled and crazy over something that, looking back, seems like it should have been simple. But when you are the bride, and you’ve made about a million and three decisions the week of your wedding, that one last thing can push you past your limit. This is where a planner would have been a breath of fresh air! Yes, please just tell me where to stand, where to seat everyone, and decide who walks in with whom. “I've now done over 1500 weddings”, Keisha said, “So I can see issues that most do not see.”  Even if you have the ceremony seating down pat, there are a ton of other details to think about. What is the order of a typical ceremony? When would be best to cut your cake during the reception? How long should you expect your reception to even last? A planner knows how things are best done, and can be the guide when you feel a bit lost! 

4. Planners Are the Go-To’s
Finally, the best part about hiring a wedding planner is, as Susanne put it, “You get to be a guest at your own wedding”. While you are having your first look with your groom, your planner can be the person to call if a vendor needs anything last-minute, and you can enjoy that special moment as a couple. When you are having your first dance as husband and wife, your planner can make sure the DJ is ready for the Best Man and Maid-of-Honor toasts. You will be free to be in the moment, chat with your guests you haven’t seen in forever,  laugh with your bridesmaids, and enjoy this day of celebration with your groom. Let your planner be the go-to person, and you be the bride! 

No matter where you are in your wedding planning process, I hope this helps you understand the role a wedding planner plays and maybe moves you to consider one for your special day. From a bride who has tackled a wedding day on her own and remembers that frazzled moment during the rehearsal, among a few other crazy moments, take it from me— it would be worth the consideration. :) 

Susanne Marsidi may be contacted at smarsidi@gmail.com or 731-736-5027.

Keisha Norwood may be reached at knorwoodevents@gmail.com or 731-223-9761.