Having your subjects wear coordinated outfits also brings some other benefits. Apart from simply showing off a relationship, it can also tell a story. For instance, at pre-wedding shoots, it is typical for the bride- and groom-to-be to have clothes similar but at a step above the rest of the bridal party to signal close ties while still putting the focus on the couple. Similarly, a class photo or a shot of coworkers will typically have everyone wearing their uniforms to signify their equality or hierarchical status. If nothing else, coordinated clothing is a classic choice, providing timeless quality that clients will appreciate when they look back on their photos years later.
Still, pulling off coordinated group outfits isn’t always straightforward. To begin, there are costs associated with purchasing or renting the right attire. Clients can also have varying opinions or preferences that might cause tension among those involved. There’s also such a thing as being too coordinated, which can come across as unnatural or unintentionally humorous.
How to Make Coordinated Outfits Work
As a photographer, it will be part of your job to help your clients better coordinate their outfits so that they’re left with a group portrait they love. You can make the challenge a bit simpler by searching “photo studio near me" so that you have a venue for closely controlling the technical aspects of your shoot. Check out these other tips so that your next group shots remain timeless and beloved:
1. Prepare Well in Advance
Encourage your clients to plan and finalise outfits at least a week before the shoot—much better if they have all the time they need. Rushing will often result in expensive, unsatisfactory compromises that your clients may not be prepared for and may very well dislike.
2. Start with a Colour Palette
Suggest a simple palette of two to four colours that work well together, particularly shades that the principal clients love. If they offer no strong opinions, recommend neutral tones since these photograph beautifully and may bring out the best out of your subjects. To add variety without sacrificing colour cohesion, propose outfits that incorporate different shades or textures within the palette.
3. Consider the Setting
If you and your clients can’t decide on a theme, perhaps you can take inspiration from the shoot location. For outdoor shoots, earthy tones or soft colours that evoke the landscape will blend beautifully with natural backdrops, making the group appear to be part of the environment. For indoor or urban settings, such as in a studio or in the client’s home, bold or monochrome palettes can add a punchy but familiar modern touch.
4. Consider Everyone’s Comfort
The chosen outfits must be comfortable for everyone so that the session remains enjoyable, avoiding a look of unease in the final portraits. For instance, you might want to avoid woollen suits in the height of summer or lightweight outfits in winter. When possible, the styles worn by the subjects should also be ones that leave them feeling their best.
5. Use Accessories to Tie the Group Together
If the budget is limited or if the group can’t agree on a common outfit, you can use accessories to tie everything together, instead. Scarves, hats, jackets, or matching shoes can add connectedness without requiring completely identical outfits.
6. Coordinating Doesn’t Mean Cloning
Avoid totally identical outfits unless the context calls for it, such as when you’re shooting a sports team, wedding parties, or students from a school that has uniforms. Even within these contexts, completely matching outfits can sometimes seem slightly off-putting. If you have to have identical outfits, make sure that it’s done intentionally.
7. Provide Your Subjects with a Style Guide—Not Style Rules
Even though your subjects are going to be wearing coordinated outfits, you must still leave room for their individual personalities to shine. For example, you can let a child wear their favourite hat, or have a member of the armed forces wear medals they’re proud of. These small personal touches may not always jump out in the portrait, but they will nonetheless enhance its authenticity, making it a bit more meaningful to those involved.
Raise Your Group Photography Game with Thoughtful Prep and Styling
Photographers, especially beginners, may not realise just how much time and interpersonal drama is involved in seemingly simple group shots. Fortunately, with these suggestions, coordinating group outfits doesn’t have to be especially stressful. If you’re new to professional photography, try to arrange for the shoot to take place in a controlled setting like a studio. This will make things a little less hectic and give you fewer technical details to worry about. You can then put your full focus on your subjects, delivering memorable, timeless images.
We love getting matching PJs at Christmas. On Christmas morning my family is all matching in our cosy pyjamas!
ReplyDelete