Get dressed for success
Hello! I'm so excited to shoot with you! But I know, now you're wondering what to wear. Don't worry, I got you. My signature photography editing style is natural, warm and earthy and outfits have a part to play in making sure you get the photos you've been swooning over in this style. So, here are a few things for you to consider when selecting your wardrobe...
The guide
STYLING SUPPORT
I LOVE clothing and fashion and in another life, I would have been a stylist and so, I'd love to help you style your family for your photoshoot. You are welcome - encouraged, even - to send me a photo of your family and any proposed outfits, including from my client wardrobe, and I can select the outfits that I think would work best for your session.
MY STYLE
My photography sessions are designed to capture you naturally - no awkward poses here - and I'm also a Gemini (twins) with a bit of a split personality so my clothing and style advice is along these lines too. I love the colourful vintage vibes that bring my childhood memories to mind, and I also love to see women in their full goddess mode wearing an empowering gown.
Materials
I love natural materials and textures. Linen is a fave, as are knits, soft cottons, denims and corduroy.
Colour
I love warm tones and earthy vibes, and I am also at home with colourful outfits that work together to bring your personalities to the fore. For timeless images, I recommend a more neutral palette.
Mothers
You are the centrepiece so we're going to style you first and everyone else will be styled around your outfit. I love beautiful long, flowing dresses with voluminous sleeves on mothers - I have a large selection for you to borrow in my Client Wardrobe. But, I am equally in love with a pair of jeans or linen pants, a cosy knit, or even a bikini and roller skates if that's your jam! My aim is to make you feel as beautiful as you are. You deserve to shine in this photoshoot so wear what takes you there.
Males
Think; relaxed. I know it's sometimes tough to get the guys to want to take part in a photoshoot. Let's not make them more uncomfortable by shoving them in a white collared shirt to walk around a field. I'm not saying footy attire is appropriate, but think smart casual. That may be some denim - black or blue - a nice fresh T-shirt, a knit or a collared shirt opened over a T-shirt! Whatever makes them feel most comfortable and ready to get involved, and what best complements your outfit.
Kids
I like to see kids being kids in outfits like Goldie + Ace, The Wholesome Store, Hey Tiger Studios, Golden Children and Geelong brand Miann & Co. do so well, but I do recommend leaving the Spiderman or Frozen licensed T-Shirt at home if possible. I have an ever-growing selection of newborn and children's clothing available to borrow in my Client Wardrobe. See below for some other recommended brands too.
BE YOU
What is most important in your outfit styling is to be yourselves. I want you to feel your most beautiful. Your photos are a mirror of you, your experience and a time capsule of this moment in time so, if you're not feeling it, your photos will show this.
I highly encourage you to take this as an opportunity to polish yourselves in the way you love. If it makes you feel some kind of beautiful, take your time to wear the dress - heck, wear the SPARKLY dress - get your hair and make-up professionally done if you feel that will help. Guys, get a hair cut. Mum, if you're going for the goddess vibe, style your family to complement you in similar tones and avoid styling them in bright coloured skate clothing and vice versa.
My sessions encourage movement and connection so please keep this in mind when selecting your outfits.
When you look back on your photos, I want you to love everything about them so, let's make you glow from the inside out because you are feeling it in your outfits.
WARM
Consider layering clothing to allow you to adjust to changes in temperature throughout our session.
COMPLEMENT, NOT COPY
Let's avoid boy band matching white shirts and denim. Your clothing should complement others in your session. That is, similar colours and tones, with varying textures and patterns that work together, not clash. I encourage Mum to select your outfit first, then style the rest of the family around you.
IN THE RAW
In some cases in a maternity photoshoot, tasteful nudity or underwear is appropriate and creates the most incredible raw, natural and honest images. Please let me know if you're into this and we can chat. Or if you want to see how you go on the day and warm into it, that's great too.
FOOTWEAR
I believe an outfit is never fully complete without a shoe but, it's not always the case for photoshoots. Sometimes bare feet are best to keep everyone in the photo aligned. Other times, a shoe can make an outfit and suits your style, the shoot and the setting so, bring them on if that's the case. Fave styles of mine are Blundstone or RM Williams leather boots for the whole family, as well as leather boots and Mary Jane or T-Bar shoes for the kids.
ACCESSORIES
Beanies and hats are welcome if that's your style. Piece of inherited jewellery? Family baby blanket? Bring them along and make sure to tell me if it's something important to you so that I can capture it in detail as well.
AVOID
Be aware of patterns that don't work well together and avoid large logos. I encourage males to avoid collared button up shirts (unless worn open over a T-shirt). While I want you to look smart, think more smart casual, and less business. Please also remove phones and keys from pockets and watches that you don't want to appear in your photos.
UNDERWEAR
What you're wearing under your outfit can alter the appearance of your overall look so please consider this when selecting what you'll wear, especially if you'd like to breast feed in our session. I have provided recommendations in my Client Wardrobe to help guide you to the best underwear for my clothing.
OUTFIT CHANGES
In a newborn session, we usually are able to change your baby into 1-2, sometimes 3, outfits. Same goes for maternity photoshoots. I would generally advise that outfits are not changed too often in family photoshoots to not disturb the flow of the session but removing layers works well.
THIS IS US SESSIONS
The only styling in these sessions is yours! Please wear whatever truly represents your personality. Let the kids wear their favourite costume or tutu, and make sure you're comfortable (but in a way you'd want to see yourselves framed on your walls!), just as you are.
MORE FAQs
Have you got a question I haven't answered here? Check out my FAQs or send me a message and I'll be happy to help.
Client wardrobe
I have a thoughtfully curated and ever-growing Client Wardrobe for you to borrow from for your shoot, included at no additional cost. My aim is to create an accessible wardrobe that will make fellow frock-lovers feel magical in their photoshoot without having to purchase something you may never wear again. Good for you and good for our environment.
My range of dresses, sets and gowns is available in approximately a size 6 - 14 and OSFA. Most are bump and breast feeding friendly. Clients must provide underwear and I advise either skin colour, white or a statement garment such as those from Bimby & Roy or a bikini in some cases. If you are considering removing bra and underwear in your session, please do so earlier in the day so any marks caused by these items are faded for our session.
As well as a divine range of newborn clothing, I also have gorgeous props including an Olli Ella Reva seagrass basket and three vintage bassinets, as well as wraps and blankets suitable for newborn shoots. I bring my entire newborn clothing wardrobe and vintage rattan bassinet to all sessions so you can select on the day as you'd like. You can see a sample of this collection in the Client Wardrobe.
I also have an ever-growing children's wardrobe.
Please let me know if any of these items interest you and I can bring them along to our session.
Where to borrow
I am pleased to partner with outfit rental services Mama Rentals and Everything Lace Hire to offer you an extended range of beautiful designer outfits for your photoshoot.
Mama Rentals and Everything Lace Hire both provide outfit hire for women, men and children. To borrow your outfit from Mama Rentals or Everything Lace Hire, browse their collections and pick an outfit, then select your rental duration and delivery date. Outfits will arrive via mail on your selected delivery date and can be returned with the prepaid return satchel at your nearest post office. Cleaning of the garments is provided by Mama Rentals and Everything Lace Hire.
You can also try on dresses via both services.
Mama Rentals - Save 15% using the code: melinatakesphotos at checkout. Excludes accessories, men's and children's clothing.
Everything Lace Hire - Save 15% using the code: MELINATKPHOTO10 at checkout.
Other local Geelong region dress hire companies include The Luxe Closet, Ocean Grove Outfit Hire, Designer On Loan, and more!
Where to buy
If you'd like to invest in new items for your shoot, considered brands like local Geelong retailers below provide beautiful clothing for the whole family.
Eco Kiddos preloved
Other brands I love include:
Kmart, Target, Best & Less, BIG W and Cotton On also have suitable outfits for the whole family.
Hair and make up
I encourage you to take the time to spoil yourself for your session. If having your hair and make up styled professionally will do that for you, book it in sooner rather than later. Aim for the 'no makeup, makeup look' - your most naturally beautiful self. You won't regret it and you will be fully ready for a meal out on the town after our session too. Bonus!
There are a number of local businesses that provide these services, and here are just some...
Makeup
- MECCA makeup - services are redeemable for products, please note the Geelong store doesn't offer makeup services mid-week
- Mr Blo
- The Luxe Makeup Studio
- Jemma Hair and Makeup
- Blondie
- Blush Bar
- Olive Torrance Makeup
- Glow Aesthetics by Sas
- By Ella
- Makeup by Josie
- Crew Faced
Hair
- Mr Blo
- Blo Out Bar
- Blondie
- Jemma Hair and Makeup
- Blush Bar
- Doll House Hair Artistry
- Makeup by Josie
- Crew Faced
Tanning
Inspiration
Check out my Styling Advice and Client Wardrobe here, or read a blog about what to wear here.
View my Galleries and Recent Work to get some inspiration from clients who nailed the brief. You can also seek further inspiration in my Pinterest.
I'm here to help you make your photos beautiful and to ensure you enjoy our session because you feel your best. Please call on me for advice! I am happy to help.