I’m often asked “What should we wear for our lifestyle session?” Now do understand, I’m not a fashionista by any means. I wear some combination of jeans, shorts, tank tops, t shirts, and sweatshirts 90% of the time. But over the years, I have come up with a few helpful tidbits to keep in mind as you plan your lifestyle session outfits.

Start with the pickiest person first

My husband wears blue plaid shirts. That’s it. The most variety he gets in his daily wardrobe is long sleeve vs short sleeve and whether or not it’s cool enough outside to add a vest. Aside from that, the guy is pretty dang consistent.

I’m sure you can think of someone in your family who relates.

When we’re planning outfits for photos, I always start with him and build my outfit from there. Andy picks his shirt out first, then I find a top that coordinates.

Coordinate, but don’t match.

Speaking of coordinating, I recommend coordinating without matching. Coordinating without matching means your outfits look like they belong together without being overbearing and unnatural. See example below.

Here’s one from the archives. Even the dog matched!

This is one of my favorite examples of coordinating without matching. They’re each in colors they enjoy and yet everyone’s colors go well together.

(it helps that Amanda is a House of Colour Consultant and knows not only what colors are best for her but also her family and how they can coordinate–more on that later)

Shop your closet

I specialize in agricultural lifestyle photography, which means capturing your life how you live it! Yep, that means wearing clothes that you *actually* wear.

Before heading out to a store, or more likely, hitting the online shopping circuit, take a look in your closet.

• What do you find yourself wearing on repeat?
• What outfits do you get compliments on when you wear them?
• What makes you feel good?
• What do you feel comfortable and confident in?

Try to find something you already own first. If you’re coming up empty handed and you do need to find something new, keep in mind all those questions listed above. Purchase something you can think of at least 3 situations you can wear it again. If you can’t think of any, it’s most likely not going to represent your lifestyle, and you won’t be as satisfied with your photos.

Get your colors done

I cannot speak highly enough about my experience “getting my colors done” with a House of Colour Consultant. HOC Consultants use special drapes to discover your color season–Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter. Each season contains a palette of colors that compliment your natural, God-given beauty, as well as a smaller group of WOW colors that, from my experience, will actually make you say, “Wow!” when you wear them.

Knowing my colors has helped make planning outfits so simple. Remember the part in the beginning about not being into fashion? Now even my t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and denim are all in my best colors, helping me feel confident and so comfortable. My favorite part of it all is that everything in my closet mixes and matches! 

The next level of the process is a style consultation. You know those clothes you bought that looked great on the mannequin or in the model online but just don’t work for you once you get them home? Style explains that!

Pairing color and style, I have complete confidence that I will feel comfortable in everything in my closet, thus making picture outfits an absolute breeze!

Here are a few consultants I personally recommend:

Hopefully you find these tips helpful as you plan out what to wear for your lifestyle session. Most importantly, be comfortable, feel confident, and don’t overthink it!