Your Pet Photoshoot Style Guide: Look as good as your dog does!

We know dogs have it easy, they just have to show up and look awesome! For us humans though picking the perfect outfit can be a little more daunting. But it doesn't have to be. Follow these steps to pick an outfit that will be flattering and comfortable.

Embrace Personal Style & Comfort

First and foremost, select something that you're going to feel great in! An outfit that's in line with your personal style and comfort.

But if you want a little more guidance, choosing a perfect outfit can be as simple as 1,2,3.

1. A shirt you might wear to Sunday brunch or a casual evening on the town, layered with a light jacket, over-shirt or cardigan.

2. A great pair of jeans that fit well & reflect your personal style.

3. Season & location appropriate shoes or boots.

Choose Flattering Cuts

First and foremost, choose clothes that fit you well. Not too big or too small.

For tops, V-neck and scoop neck designs can elongate the neck and draw the eye down, enhancing your overall look.
For most people jeans work better than shorts, but if you're the kind of person who NEVER wears pants, wear what you love!
For dresses, something with a little structure to the top and some flow on the bottom photographs beautifully.

Color Harmony

Start with colors that compliment your skin tone. We all have colors that just look great on us and that should be your first consideration when choosing an outfit.

You'll never hear me complain about clients wearing vibrant colors. Though, it's worth mentioning that neon can cast their color onto a persons skin. So I'd recommend staying more to the neutral end of the bright spectrum.

While solids are ideal, subtle patterns and plaids are OK too. I'd be in so much trouble if I tried to tell people not to wear plaids.

If you're planning a large piece of wall art for your home, considering the accent colors of your home might give you a great leap off point.

Consider the season in both color and style:

Springs tends toward more pastel colors, long sleeves in lighter fabrics.
Summer lends toward white, or bright colors, short sleeves in light fabrics. But you can still layer with a light jacket or over-shirt.
Fall encourages more earthy tones in heavier fabrics, knits & wool. Just avoid getting too bulky.
Winter embraces jewel tones, long sleeves, jackets and sweaters.

Avoid wearing the same color shirt as your pet's coat.

Couples & Families

Matching shirts can be fun, but it's definitely not necessary. A better approach is to choose a general color scheme or theme and pull similar outfits from there.

You DO want everyone dressed like they came from the same season and are enjoying the same experience. If you have one person in a sport coat and the other in jeans and a t-shirt, your photographs will feel disjointed. But if everyone looks like they're enjoying a spring day at the park, your images will feel more authentic and cohesive.

Consider Layers

Adding a light jacket to your outfit can really mix things up in your photos. It's great for quickly switching up your look without a full outfit change. Plus, it adds a nice touch of texture and gives your pictures a cozy, seasonal vibe.

If you have concerns about how you'll appear in your photos, layering with a light structured jacket, overshirt, or cardigan, especially one that is darker than the shirt underneath can create a shadowing effect, leading to a more streamlined silhouette.

A layered look also gives your wardrobe added depth and

*Avoid hoodies, thick sweaters & bulky jackets.

In the Summer, even a light jacket may be uncomfortable and look out of place. You can skip the layering all together or choose a light overshirt to still get the polished & slimming effect of a jacket.

Don't forget your shoes!

and other accessories. But seriously, you'd be surprised how often shoes become an issue. I've had a surprising number of folks ask me to photoshop some new feet on them and there is really no good way to make this happen.

Wear shoes:

You can walk your dog in.
That match your outfit & general style.
That are season & location appropriate.

Dress shoes, Allstars, hiking boots, heels, cute boots or sandals, they can all work depending on the rest of your outfit. There really is no wrong shoe choice, unless you wear Birkenstocks in the snow. That's just wrong. And yes, it's happened.

Don't forget the guys.

Ladies, please don't forget to share this directly with any gentlemen who will be joining you. More often than not, it's the ladies handling all the details. And you always show up looking FAB! And sometimes the guys don't get the memo. It's just as important and easy for them to look great as well.

Men: Nice jeans, shirt with buttons and no big logos, nice shoes.

Clean-shaven if you're a guy who shaves, or at least make sure that facial hair looks like you're going to see your grandma at church.

Just because it can't be said enough...

Choose an outfit that reflects your personal style & makes you feel fabulous! Because confidence radiates from the inside out.