What to Wear Guide
The short answer?
Wear something that feels like you.
The best photographs happen when you're comfortable, present, and focused on the experience—not worrying about your clothes. Whether that's a favorite sundress, a worn-in pair of jeans, a swimsuit, linen pants, a cozy sweater, or a simple t-shirt, I'd much rather photograph you in something that feels natural than something that feels forced.
My goal isn't for you to look like someone from Pinterest.
My goal is for you to look like yourself.
This guide isn't about creating a certain look. It's simply meant to help you think about comfort, movement, color, and how clothing interacts with the landscape around you.
A Few Things to Consider:
Comfort First
If you're cold, hot, itchy, tugging at straps, adjusting clothing, or worried about your outfit, it will show in the photos.
Choose clothing you can comfortably walk, sit, play, explore, and move in.
The best outfit is usually the one you forget you're wearing.
Color & Place
There are very few rules when it comes to color.
I've photographed people in swimsuits, red dresses, faded denim, wedding attire, old sweatshirts, and everything in between. Beautiful photographs can happen in all of them.
That said, it can be helpful to think about the environment. Soft blues, weathered greens, warm creams, earthy tones, faded colors, and natural textures often complement the beaches, dunes, forests, and springs I love photographing.
Bold colors can be beautiful too. The goal isn't to match the landscape perfectly—it's to feel at home in it.
A Few Practical Tips
• Empty pockets before your session (phones, wallets, keys, sunglasses, etc.)
• Check for visible tags, bra straps, or underwear lines if they're something you'd rather not see in your photos
• Large logos, busy graphics, and fluorescent colors tend to draw attention away from faces
• Consider bringing an extra outfit for young children
• Dress for the weather
• If you're unsure between a few options, send me photos—I'm always happy to help
Remember: connection, personality, and presence matter far more than a perfect outfit.
A few things that make beach sessions more enjoyable:
• Apply sunscreen and wear a hat in the days prior to the shoot to help prevent burns!
• Bring water, especially during warmer months
• Consider bringing a hair tie, clip, or hat if your hair is easily affected by wind
• Bare feet are always welcome
• Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you'd like to get in the water
• A lightweight blanket can be great for sitting photos
• Bring an extra change of clothing for little ones
Most importantly, don't stress.
Some of my favorite photographs have happened when people embraced the wind, got sandy, splashed in the water, laughed at the unexpected, and simply enjoyed being together.
Perfect isn't the goal.
Presence is.