Remember that time you and your family all enjoyed wearing the same exact outfit? Neither do we. A staple in awkward family photos, outfits that match exactly have no place in a modern family portrait. Instead, choose outfits that coordinate rather than match. As a rule of thumb you don’t want everyone to be in a different pattern or drastically different colors. You DO want to stay in the same color family – jewel tones, pastels, earth tones etc. You get the idea.  Choosing outfits that make everyone feel their best will make your photos stand the test of time. You don’t want to wear something you would never wear in real life.

Stay tuned – next time we will talk about locations!

Scarves of all sorts have made a splash in the fashion world in the past few years.  From a handmade knitted gift from Grandma to brightly colored infinity, a scarf adds texture and draws attention toward your best feature–your face.

A watch is a great way to make sure you show up to your session on time, but you can also make a unique statement by wearing a watch with a bold band.

Check out the above styles from Fossil.com!

A necklace can draw attention toward your face, just like a scarf can.  Don’t be afraid to choose something chunky or with a pop of color.

Check out these necklaces and other fantastic handmade finds at Etsy.com! Luscious Lockets and Siempre Jewelry

Hats can be tricky–remember, we think your face should be the highlight of your portrait–but choose a hat with a small brim or turn it to the side and we’re in business.

Check out these hats from Urban Outfitters!

For more inspiration, check out the wonderfully styled shots of Tyler, Trevor, and Sara!

Both the contestants AND the voters have chances to win all sorts of stuff. First thing is first… click the image below to go to our Facebook page. Click “like” next to our name then check out the photo album titled “2012 Senior Contest!!” The directions to vote are inside. Good luck to everyone!!

Casual Chuck meets Dapper Dan: Mix a button down shirt with jeans for a classic look with a modern edge.

Picture it:  you’re trying to come up with your outfits to wear for your senior portraits.  You want to be casual–jeans and a t-shirt are standard uniform for you.  Your Mom wants you to dress up a little, but ties and khakis don’t feel like you.  Fear not!  You and your Mom have great ideas about what you should wear for your portraits, all you have to do is mix it up!

Check out Piperlime.com for the elements of this look!

Pair a pseudo-neutral (that’s fashion code for a shirt with a print so small it looks like a solid from far away) button down with a bold striped tie and your favorite pair of jeans.  You’ll look a little snazzy, but your jeans will make you feel at ease.

Ties not your style?  Why not try a vest?  This mix of a playful plaid button down with a classic navy vest makes this look cool, comfortable, and confident.

Check out Lands End Canvas for this look!

Whatever type of look you choose, make sure it makes you feel your best, and bring a few options so you can adjust to your back drop!

Rule #1: Don’t wear it if you don’t like it or if you would never in a million years wear it out in public. It’s so important you are comfortable with what you are wearing.

With that said… check out this super cute outfit that we think would photograph well…. mostly because it does. see:
The very in, high waisted, green shorts give an awesome pop of color from the flattering black ensemble. Also, notice the fabulous accessories: shoes, tights, purse, belt.

You can find these green shorts at http://www.coosy.es/ Look around, they have a ton of great stuff!