So, you have booked your professional family photoshoot in the Cayman
Islands and your departure date is coming closer. When you start packing
for your vacation, don’t forget to plan your family’s wardrobe for your
upcoming photoshoot.
Deciding what to wear in a professional photo shoot can seem daunting,
as these are photos you are going to send to your family, use on Christmas
cards, share on social media and hang on your walls to treasure for years
to come.
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.
01 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 little outfit is, if your kids are not comfortable 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.
02 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 absolutely one of my favourite colours, choosing a colour scheme
that is inspired by the natural surroundings can take your pictures from
good to great! That 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 or sunset. Neutral and pastel colours, such as soft
pinks, cream, light blues, soft greens and white all photograph extremely
well, as they blend effortlessly with the natural elements rather than
competing with them.
03 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.
04 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.
Avoid too many patterns, large logos or cartoon characters in your (and
your kids’) 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. When choosing your hues,
rather tone it down and chose a more neutral colour, e.g. instead of a
bright pink, chose a “dusty rose” colour instead.
05 I Add Textures
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.
06 I Accessories Welcome
Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in
photos too. especially for kids – a pretty necklace to play with or hats
to hide behind does not only make for cute pictures, it can also serve
as an ice-breaker and fun game for me to interact with your kids.
07 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.
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 Swimming Optional
If you have plans to visit one of our fabulous
restaurantshere 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.
10
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 wait until
the day before your shoot, you may run into an issue of clothes not fitting,
being dirty or nothing matching.
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.
