Style Guide

For some folks, style can come easy, while for others it can be hard to decide what will look best on everyone. This guide is based off of how I edit as a photographer, how my editing is growing (as I am always learning new things to make your photos even better), and how to achieve those perfect looks that make you feel a sense of relief after your digitals are given back to you. I'm so passionate about design, color theory, and happy clients most of all. By providing this simplified 4 step guide, I hope you feel a sense of security and confirmation that you are not alone in this important matter. The investment in following this free guide will pay off immensely once your final edits are revealed. Let's start off with your first step below to develop your unique style.

Step One: A BOLD BASE

Take a look at the photo above and discover the dominant color chosen. If you haven't figured it out, it's that deep navy blue. Clairence and Olivia took charge in a multitude of these steps and featured the little one with a perfect mix of their color choices. The importance of choosing a bold base can tie together your outfit choices and make a seamless blend, regardless of the accent colors, patterns or textures you choose. Bold base colors should be used in 30% of the clothing styles you incorporate for your photoshoot. If you find your bold base in your partner's button up, or in the flower pattern of a dress, you nailed the first step in style cohesiveness. The color you love the most for your vision is the color to start with. Let's move on to our accents now.

Step Two: REFLECTIVE ACCENTS

Let's identify some of the brighter tones that make your bold base POP! Light grey, tan, and cream tones will always be a main choice in my suggested accents. The reason is these are sort of like magnetic colors. They have a way of of being a gravity pull of sunlight ultimately brightening features during your session NATURALLY! This photo above was such a cloudy day for my clients Alex and Macaila. My natural light options were minimal and waiting for the sun to come out sometimes isn't in the cards. Keeping clients happy, photographers have to see potential and adjust their settings on their camera in order to make cohesive edits and still pull through in the time that was booked for the session. This is why accent colors could assist and play an important role in being used as a natural reflector to brighten and even skin tones. Reflective accents should be used in 30% of your style choices as well. In my own opinion, incorporating these colors, has a magnificent benefit to your photoshoot going smooth, allowing your photographer to produce faster edits, giving you a quicker turn around time to receive your images. It's a win for everyone! Let's see why texture is an important addition for your style choices next.

Step Three: Utilizing Textures

Although a bold base and neutral tone accents are the prize winners and make up 60% of your clothing choices, it is also important to add in mixed textures that can really showcase each person's individuality. In the photo above, Dannin and Roger wanted to blend well in their similar toned shirts, which is totally awesome because meeting these two and seeing them together, the choice in similar styles made so much sense within their chemistry. On the subject of texture, Dannin's shirt appeared flannel and had a softness to it. The accent bold base color of black sewn lines to her sweater caused a natural gravity to Roger. He wore a waffle weave texture shirt and a black sport jacket. The point is to create subtle differences in your style choices to individualize each person while maintaining cohesiveness. Textures should be used in about 20% of your style. Texture mixing in both light and heavy use often leads to allowing your photos to stand out more since images (whether printed or on a screen) are one dimensional. It gives the viewer the sense they are right there in that moment either with you, or to revisit that precious time together. As my son would tell anyone, "it's like magic"! Let's make this fun and learn about finalizing your style.

Step Four: PATTERN PERFECTION

Pattern use, whether bright and bold like in this sweet little one's photo, or muted micro-flowers in a blouse you own, play a key essential role in style selection. This is one of my favorite steps and you will see why. Do not get scared of a bold or fun pattern in your style selection. Instead, soften it with the three steps above. For example, let's consider you have a fun ruffled blouse and it has big white and pink flowers on it; go ahead and use it to your advantage by softening it with an bold base color jacket, like a deep jade buttoned sweater, mix in your texture by wearing some dark wash or ripped bell bottom jeans, and finish it off with some cognac colored boots. Patterns can be used in just about any piece you love the most as long as you make it a seamless blend with the other three steps. Pattern use should be 15% of your style selection. You might now be asking where the other 5% of this style guide is leading to, and it's truly optional, but I want you to feel like you have everything covered.

***Our 5% comes from optional jewelry accents. Things such as mini gold hoops, a silver heart necklace with your child's birthstone in it, and even a gold watch all play a positive effect in the finalization of your style for your photoshoot. Even though these are my photos above, I want to assure you that choosing your outfits doesn't have to be complicated. Having a photographer who is adaptable and creative to any style and light increases the value of your session without you even realizing it at first. I cannot wait to send you some inspiration, and allow you to feel some peace that I have it in control, so you can just smile, laugh, feel and enjoy your session with me. I want you comfortable, and full of confidence. To make your vision a reality; regardless of this style guide, I want you to bring your confidence, your infectious smile, the laugh that always makes a chain reaction of laughter, (it's me hi!)......and bring the love story. I want to capture this life of yours in the special documentary style I love to continuously create. I look forward to see your vision and how you choose to express yourself, your family or with your partner. Even if these suggestions don't apply to you or you are a creative twin of mine (hey bestie!!!), I still am so beyond blessed and excited to photograph your love story, your graduating senior, your little one, and so much more. For life's greatest moments, there is no better time than here and now.