Team Moreau For Poppins Day!

Such a beautiful place. Such a wonderful family. I came home feeling so incredibly happy to capture a portion of their life together. Enjoy!

Georgia Loo For Poppins Day!

Never underestimate the power of a flowie dress!

What To Wear

Choosing an outfit for a photo shoot can be a very stressful endeavor. It's so stressful in fact, that there is an entire industry geared toward helping people prepare a proper look when they are taking photos. While I am most certainly NOT a stylist, I do know what I like and would love to share my thoughts on the subject.

So, Poppins Day takes on your photo-ready-wardrobe. Ready. Set. Go!

First and foremost - What kind of photo shoot are you planning to have? 

If it is an adventure shoot - well, it's all about dressing the part. No need to expound on that.

If it is a family shoot for a holiday card or just a yearly pic, read on.....

1. Dress for your personality.
Embrace who you are because the more comfortable you are, the better your photos will be. That is why we suggest that your wardrobe be something you love. You should chose an outfit that reflects your way, your style, YOU. For example, I recently hired my dear friend, Hannah Sons, to take photos of me with my parents. It was going to be the last photos we would ever take together because my mother was very ill with cancer and dying. I chose our outfits with her personality in mind. My mother was a vivacious woman, full of energy and color yet at the same time, quite feminine. SO, I chose a pink striped top. The fabric was delicate and very feminine - complete with gold buttons, while the print was very bold - just like my mom. When I look at those photos, I am not just seeing my mom's face, I am seeing her way. The outfit I chose for her helps to communicate that. Dress for your personality!

2. Do Not Match - Compliment.
Matchie photo shoots took place in the 90's. I know this is hard sometimes, especially for our lovely type A friends, BUT there is a new way and it is fabulous so let's all embrace it together, shall we! Your photos will thank you later. How does this work, you may ask. Well, I am not a stylist remember, I simply know what I like - so if my description reflects my ignorance please be gracious... Just as I will be gracious if you show up for a photo shoot with your family all dressed in jeans and a white tee shirt. :)

I like to choose a color and then hang out on that side of the color wheel as I build the other outfits. Then, for fun, I add a punch of color from the other side of the wheel. For example: Here are my children. Do you see how complimentary they are?... I hung their whole wardrobe on my son's lion sweater. I chose Blue as our base and then added some warm tones for interest - red, gold, etc...

3. Sprinkle Patterns - Don't Flood! 

When everyone is wearing a pattern - and all of the patterns are different - it becomes a massive distraction. Patterns are a lovely addition to an outfit and can add a lot of interest. They can also serve as a great unifying piece when worn properly. For example, in the above mentioned photo, My youngest daughter is wearing a floral patterned dress. It is hard to see in this particular photo, but the same blue that is in my son's sweater, and my other son's tie - is in her dress. She is the unifying piece. And so that she is not stealing the show, I put a navy cardigan on her so that she does in fact, bring unity to the wardrobe.  You can sprinkle a pattern via a scarf, tights, a headband, etc. OR you could place one of your subjects in a pattern as seen here. 

4. Capture the Quirks

If your four year old refuses to take off her bathing suit 24 hours a day, seven days a week - then perhaps we want to get her photographed not just in a proper outfit of your choosing, but in her swimmies as well? So many times families show up for a session and are so flustered over the fact that their kid will not take off their sunglasses or needs to have their favorite toy car in their hand.... Here at Poppins Day, we say roll with it. The goal of life is not perfection, therefore, the goal of our sessions will not be as well. (don't worry, we will get some photos without the glasses on ;)

Here's one more for fun. 

Complimentary & Holding leafs because not even Santa Claus could talk those kids into leaving the leaves alone.... We roll with it, folks!

Cheers!

P. Day