What to wear: 3 tips to help you plan outfits for spring portraits in Omaha, Nebraska
Every year around this time, I write a blog post in eager anticipation of the spring weather that is nearly upon us. There’s just a slight shift in temperature, plant life begins to signal the change, too, as small little buds emerge from the ground and trees tell us that spring is almost upon us. Not to mention, longer days! And I can hardly contain myself to get out and photograph spring family and senior portrait sessions!
I am born and raised in Nebraska. (Yutan, to be exact. 10 points if you know where that is! Hint: it’s not that far from Omaha!). So I know all too well the unpredictability that Mother Nature can bring to our spring season here. It can be snow one week and 70 degrees the next, so it can be a bit tricky to plan for. BUT, you can’t deny the beauty of a spring Nebraska day when all of the trees are in full bloom, the birds are chirping and the humidity of Nebraska summers hasn’t quite set in yet. It can provide a gorgeous backdrop for family or senior portraits. In fact, I’ve given 4 reasons to consider a spring portrait session in a previous blog post. But today, we’re going to talk about what to wear. Let’s start with some good ol’ Nebraska practicality.
Practically speaking, wear layers
Given the unpredictability as mentioned above, I always advise clients to bring or wear layers. Not only does this provide additional texture to your images, it also helps if the weather is a bit on the chilly side. If you’ve got an outfit that you are just dying to wear but the weather is a bit brisk, throwing a jacket or cardigan on over it can give some variety to your portraits, and you can also quickly slip it off to get a few shots, and then slip it back on again to warm up.
Notice that my subject is wearing the same shirt in all of these images? With just a slight change, she was able to get 3 different looks by bringing along her pink cardigan and jean jacket. This is a great idea if you are a small business owner or need personal branding images to plan for your social media platforms. One photo session, but many looks!
These images were taken less than 10 minutes apart. It was a slightly chilly day and I knew she would be cold in just her Easter dress, so we admired the redbuds for a while with her jacket on, and then I asked her to slip it off for a quick twirl session beneath the trees. Also notice that she is dressed in a complimentary color to the flowers on the trees.
Dress for the season
Yes, I know I just finished saying that in Nebraska, that could mean snow one week and 70 degrees the next, but in general, you want your outfit to match your surroundings. Winter sweaters and coats would look a little funny with a blooming tree in the background, as would shorts and a tank top. Spring is a great season for maxi dresses, Easter outfits, jeans or pants with a spring or flowy top. And ladies, have fun accessorizing, too!
A spring top with jeans is a great combination for the unpredictable Nebraska weather.
Consider the colors of the season
If you are particularly interested in a bloom session, your backdrop will likely be soft pinks or whites. Choose colors in your wardrobe that will complement those colors. Soft yellows, pinks, creams, and light blues work well. You likely wouldn’t get an ideal result wearing blacks or primary colors.
And if you still need help beyond these 3 tips, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! All of my clients receive a style guide with additional helpful information, as well as color suggestions from me based on the location that we choose for your portraits! And if you need help beyond that, I’m just a phone call, text or visit away! When I say that I am a full service boutique photographer, this is what I mean. I am with you every step of the way - whether that means we get together to go through your closet together or we FaceTime while you are out shopping. Your experience and portrait session are tailored exactly to your needs.
What are you waiting for?
Let’s get you some beautiful spring portraits for your family or senior that you can display and enjoy for many years!
A PDF style guide is sent to all clients, whether families or seniors, there’s a guide for each genre.
This client knew that her daughter would be wearing a dress to match her favorite American Girl. Using those colors, I created a color palette of suggestions for the family.