What to wear for your Summer Photoshoot on the Seacoast

If you have a family photo session coming up anywhere along the NH and Maine Seacoast, you have probably already asked yourself this question: what are we supposed to wear? After 15 years and thousands of family sessions, I have some thoughts.

Wear what you want. Wear what you love. Wear what fits and feels like you.

That's my honest take.

The biggest outfit mistake I see families make is wearing something that doesn't fit.

A dad who discovered five minutes before the shoot that his polo was too small, wore it anyway, and then asked if we could take care of the, um, "details" in post, or a mom that didn't realize the dress was too big and had to have someone cinch it behind her back for every photo, or a daughter who wore a dress that was just a little too short, and since it is always windy at the beach, spent half the session holding it down instead of just being in the moment, or a son who took the button down shirt out of the package upon arrival, and didn't realize it was a size too big and had DEEP fold lines that we couldn't "photoshop out".

The lesson: try on everything before the session day. Every single thing.

Okay, and one more anecdote because I know you love when I dish: don't stop for Five Guys burgers on the way to your photoshoot, because Murphy's law states that your son will take a bite into that juicy burger and grease will drip all the way down the front of his shirt. Trust me.

If you want styling tips, I'll give you my top three:

1. Mom gets dibs. Periodt. Mom chooses her outfit first and then we build everyone else's outfit based on hers. There is no arguing this, it just is.

   
   

2. Coordinate, don't match. You're not a sports team (unless you are, in which case you can match).

   
   

3. Wear colors and patterns and prints and stripes and accessories. The "everyone wear solid neutrals" advice is a myth. I don't know where it came from, but let's bury it here and now. If you want a rule, I'll give you this: don't wear big words or logos (unless you're getting paid to advertise them). But if you do, we won't care - because ultimately we want you to wear what makes you feel like yourselves on a really good day. We will take care of the rest.

Still not sure where to start? Reach out before your session and we will help you figure it out. That is what we are here for. Book your family session at mercystreetstudio.com.

This family gets an A+ in styling and FUN!