Chesapeake, Virginia | What To Wear Guide by Jess Nicole Photography

We've talked about what to expect in your documentary session with me here. 
We've talked about authenticity in documentary photography here.
 We've talked about the "why?" of documentary and storytelling photography here.
Now we are going to talk about what in the world to wear. I get this question all the time. It's okay. It's not as scary and as stressful as it sounds. I'm here to help!

In a true documentary session, I would never, ever tell you what to wear or even make any suggestions. I have clients that I have photographed in their pajamas (and no, they weren't new or fancy- regular old pajamas ya'll.) A lot of the time, babies are in diapers or onesies and kids have picked out their own spectacular outfits- you know the kind I'm talking about. Rain boots, tutus, with a favorite shirt that's 2 sizes too small. Or a superhero cape, underwear, and rainboots. It's always the rainboots, isn't it? 
My only suggestion here is to just be yourself. Be comfortable. Wear whatever it is that you would normally wear. If you normally get dressed every morning right when you wake up and fix your face and hair- then that's you. And yes- there are people in the world like that! But if you lay around the house for a few hours in your pajamas and take your time on the weekends (my family falls into this category!), then that's okay too! Are you SEC obsessed and your teams colors run through your veins and on game day you wear jerseys and team colors? Do it. It's your life, your story.  If we are going to the beach- wear your normal beach gear. If we are walking the dog or going to a coffee shop, visiting the farmer's market, or going fishing, just be yourself and wear what you normally would and be comfortable. 

For my lifestyle clients who may want a little more direction and whose session isn't 100% documentary and unposed (but still incredibly laid back with a real emphasis put on authenticity and natural connections!)  , I can offer a few suggestions. 

• Try to avoid big logos, characters, and words on the clothing. It can distract from the subject of the image, really drawing the eye to those aspects instead of the connection and emotion. 
• Avoid wearing matching and wearing all of the same color, wearing all of the same color can make it difficult to distinguish where one person ends and another begins, It can make an image feel very bland and lacking in detail. Your family is unique and each person is an individual- showcase their personalities through their wardrobe! 
•  Instead of matching, coordinate with one another. I pick one "statement" piece that I would really like one member of the family to wear,  and then coordinate around that one piece. Pull from colors of that outfit to dress the rest of your family or use colors in the same color family. 
•  I cannot stress this enough, please be comfortable. No one is going to be happy or their true selves if they are fussing over their clothes. Instead of happiness and giggles, it will be grumpiness and frustration. It's so important to make sure every member of the family is comfortable- this applies for adults too! I think babies are so cute in just a diaper cover, even kids with bare feet! Again, this largely depends on the location we are at and what we're doing. 
• A safe bet is always neutrals- creams, greys, tans or earth tones. They photograph beautifully. 
•  Consider the location. A lot of my shoots take place in the home, consider clothing that will coordinate with that background. I think a lot of times that the home is a true reflection of who you are and what your family is all about, so I dressing to coordinate with your home shouldn't be too hard to do since you will probably have everything you need already in your closet. But again, neutrals can be adapted for any background if you're still unsure. Or, if you don't necessarily want neutrals, try using a color wheel to help you decide. Pick out the primary color of your background and you can find a complimentary color for it. Here's a good easy to use one that I found from Canva. 
• Don't underestimate the value and depth that texture can bring to an image. Varying textures can really make an image pop. Cotton, linen, cable knit, denim, chiffon, silk, wool, etc. That chunky cardigan you love to cuddle up in? Yes, that would be perfect! Throw it on! Even a simple scarf can add just the right amount of texture to an image.
•  When all else fails, keep it simple. Simple = timeless. Stay true to your style and yourself. If you wouldn't be caught dead in neutrals- rock that color all day long! These are all suggestions after all. Not the rules. And even if they were rules, rules were made to be bent and broken, right?

As always, I'm here to help if you feel like you want to run your wardrobe by me before your shoot. I'm confident that you don't need to go out and buy anything, I feel like you probably have exactly what you need already in your closet! In the next few months, I will be assembling a simple client wardrobe for newborns, babies, and toddlers with timeless, classic, comfortable pieces that you are welcome to borrow for your session. I've posted a few items below, but if you are interested in seeing what I have available, just ask!

If you are ready to book your session with me, click here and fill out the form to request information and secure your spot!