What should we wear??
If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times. As photographers we have to ask ourselves what is the best way to help our clients understand that the “everyone wearing white shirts” look might have worked back in the Olan Mills days but if they truly want to capture their families authentic personalities in the here and now they need to dress accordingly.
First and foremost, you want your clients to be themselves. If they are uncomfortable in clothes they are wearing, it will definitely show. They should ultimately wear what they love…with guidelines of course. And those guidelines are where you as a photographer come in.
Say it with me, “Matching bad, coordinating good!!” In fact, coordinating ensures each family member’s personality is highlighted rather than lost in a sad sea of predictable white.
A great way in showing them your visions as a photographer is through stylized boards. These boards are to serve as guidelines only. By no means should you make your clients feel like they need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe (unless they just want to or, if they’re like me, and they just need an excuse to give their hubbies for such a shopping spree); but you should always go ahead and include where you found the clothing items – this will inevitably answer the 100′s of emails asking “Where can I find___??” that you would have received had you not attributed the clothing items to certain stores.
Great places to look for inspirational ensembles are websites that offer “Looks We Love” or ”Shop by Outfit” buttons. From there you can mix and match to your heart’s content!
The affordable clothing outfits featured in these stylized boards were found at:
Inspire Your Clients
You are given permission to use these beautiful stylized boards to inspire your own clients! We just ask that you link back to both of us (Melinda Brookshire Photography and I Heart Faces) if you use them on your website/blog or you can send your clients right here to this post on I Heart Faces. Enjoy!
Fix-It Friday #91
If you’d like to participate in this week’s Fix-It Friday, head over to our FREE community to download the image and join in the editing fun!
Melinda Brookshire is a born-and-bred Georgia girl now residing with her husband, two boys, and dog in a small town in Western Oklahoma running her own photography business. In no particular order, she is obsessed with her faith, family, chocolate, Pepsi, photography, and books. She despises ironing, cleaning toilets, dieting….and potty-training her dog (which seriously leaves her in a foul mood!) Follow her Facebook page for further inspiration.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I would also like to know how to make my own storyboard. Do you not have to give credit to the original poster for their clothing pictures? Are you merely erasing the heads and necks of the models?
hope there is one!! 
Thanks for the response
Great article. Has anyone looked into fashion camera gear such as fashion camera strapz and camera bags?
Great place to start : http://www.etsy.com/shop/sizzlestrapz?ref=si_shop
Hope this helps.
Thanks so much, Melinda for sharing your talent with us. I was so excited because I’ve been looking for something just like this to share on my What to Wear tab of my blog. I hope you’ll be doing more of these–it would be fun to share as a regular feature.
HAD TO SHARE!!
http://shannonmarie-photography.blogspot.com/p/what-to-wear.html
Shannon McAvoy recently posted..WELCOME!
Thank you for a great post!
)
I’ve seen these on many a BLOG…
So, my question is…do all of photogs makes these collages themselves or are there any designers/stylists/websites that one could go to & purchase some fashion boards???
~Heather
{photography student, NYIP}
Just used this as the inspiration for a blog post and of course I linked to you! Thanks for all the fabulous posts you guys do!
I just love Melinda! What a great post Melinda! Thank you for making these awesomely creative boards. I am going to tweet it this instant! Love, Becky
I keep laughing about all the starched white shirts….I see so many people do that. Why, oh why, do they think that is cool?
Life with Kaishon recently posted..‘We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival’ Winston Churchill
Love this topic. This is definitely the most FAQ of my clients. Fabulous clothing collection spreads. Love it!
I was just going to post about booking spring sessions on my blog today– I may have to include these!! I will be sure to link back to here– thanks for the ideas!
i really want to learn how everyone makes these – i’d like to make some of my own with some ideas that are floating around in my little head
Terrific tips Melinda! Thank you so much for taking the time to share these stylized boards with all of us. We really appreciate it!
-Angie
co-founder of I Heart Faces
angie {the arthur clan} recently posted..Top O’ The Morning To Ya!
I’m not a photographer but I love making these for folks on my website too! One of my favorite things to do, I’ve made several really close friends this way too. The best part is when they send me picture of their family photos afterwards
So awesome
Stacy of KSW recently posted..Clutter Tip of The Week- Raid Your Pantry
Wow! Thanks for the info!
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