Deciding what to wear in a photo shoot can seem daunting! It is therefore no surprise that as a Grand Cayman Photographer one of the most frequently asked question by my clients is “What should we wear for our photoshoot?”
But don’t worry, I got you covered! Here are a few simple tips to give you some inspiration on what to wear for your upcoming photoshoot in the Cayman Islands. And if you still have questions after reading this article, please reach out and I would be happy to guide you or even put a personalised style guide together for you.
01 I Nature As Your Colour Inspiration
In Grand Cayman, with the incredible 7-Mile beach at our door step, most couples and families opt for a beach setting for their shoot.
Many people still associate beach photos with an all-white wardrobe. While white is always lovely, choosing a colour scheme that is inspired by the natural surroundings can take your pictures from
good to great! This also means, instead of everyone wearing the same colour, try to coordinate your colours to compliment rather than match each other.
When choosing your colours draw your inspiration from the beautiful colours of the ocean, sunrise, sunset or the palm trees. A neutral colour palette is always your best go to. When choosing your hues, always rather tone it down and chose a more neutral colour, e.g. instead of a bright pink, chose a “dusty rose” colour instead. Here are two colour/ styling suggestions:
1. Pastel colours, such as soft pinks, light blues, soft greens and cream all photograph well as they blend effortlessly with the natural elements.
2. If you want to create a little more of a dramatic look, chose slightly darker neutrals, like olives, mustard, rust or teal. This option gives your family a little bit more stand out against the tranquil backdrop.
02 I Limit Patterns And Avoid Neons
Solid colours always photograph well as there’s no risk of distracting from faces, interactions or the beautiful Cayman Islands scenery. However one or two patterns bring some beautiful texture into your wardrobe.
Absolutely avoid too many contradicting patterns, large logos or cartoon characters in your wardrobe selection, as they can become a distraction and overpower your images. When in doubt select one patterned outfit for a single person in the family and then pull colours from that pattern to dress everyone else in coordinated solid colours.
Similarly, avoid neon coloured outfits as they look extra bight once edited and create an imbalance between family members and the natural environment.
03 I Add Textures And Accessories
I am a big fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs it is nice to add textures like a dress made from soft, natural fabrics that drape and flow – these make for beautiful images that give a sense of lightness and motion.
Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos too. Think a pretty straw hat, scarf, coverup or a cute necklace to play with.
04 I Think Classic
Hopefully your family photos will be hanging on your walls to be treasured for years to come, which means you want to consider your home decor to ensure that the colours of your clothes seamlessly blend with the colour scheme of your home. By choosing classic styles and colours you will also ensure that your images have a timeless feel.
05 I Be Comfortable
The most important thing to remember is to be comfortable and dress in something you really like yourself in. If you are trying to squeeze into your favourite dress from 10 years ago or you are wearing that beautiful top that is really scratchy, the discomfort is most likely going to show in your images. This is even more important when dressing your little ones. Regardless of how cute that sweet outfit is, if your kids are not comfortable in it, they will certainly make it known throughout our shoot. By keeping it comfortable, easy and relaxed, we can spend our time together capturing your family connection without wasting time tugging on uncomfortable clothing.
06 I Leave Your Shoes Behind
You have so much to think about your wardrobe, at least your shoe choice won’t be one of them. We are going to walk, run and jump on the beach and possibly even the sea, so simply plan on being barefoot as shoes (even sandals) in the sand aren’t practical or comfortable.
07 I Swimming Optional
If you have plans to visit one of our fabulous restaurants here in Grand Cayman after your photoshoot, bring a change of clothes and a towel, especially for your little ones! You will inevitably get a little wet and sandy from running on the beach and the waves splashing.
Want to hop in the ocean at the end of your session? YES PLEASE! You can hop straight in or bring a swimsuit to change into and take a real dip. Images taken in the water can be absolutely magical and the warm and crystal clear waters in the Cayman Islands will leave you all warm and fuzzy.
08 I The Extra Touch
This is by no means necessary, but certainly a nice-to-have.
If you have the time and extra budget available, ladies, invest into having your nails, hair and make up done. You probably only do these photoshoots every decade or so, which means you will be looking at your pictures for a very long time, so you want to look at them and feel fab. Especially
for engagement, couple and maternity shoots, it’s worth having pretty nails and make up for those beautiful close-up shots of you and your partner. I love working with my friend Sally, who does very beautiful hair and make-up to enhance your natural beauty and make you glow. She travels to your hotel or condo and charges very reasonable rates. Take a look here.
09 I Plan Ahead
Once you book your session, start thinking of your outfits too. So, if you are out shopping, you can pick up clothes or accessories that work with your chosen colour scheme as and when you see them. If you are coming from the USA, you are lucky as most retailers offer colour coordinated collections, which means you can buy all or at least your kids’ clothes from one store and know that you will be perfectly coordinated.
10 I Don’t Be Too Shy To Ask For Help!
I encourage my clients to send me a picture of their wardrobe / outfit options laid out on a bed, so I can give some input or make recommendations.
If you prefer, I can also create a custom style board for you, that lets you order directly from US retailers. Just reach out via email or message!
For Maternity Sessions the same principles apply, however I have added some more specific recommendations here if you are interested.
