It’s that special time of year here in Austin. School begins, the calendar reads “fall” – and yet our temperatures hover in the “HOTSTILLHOT #WHENWILLITEND” range. What to do when Faux Fall is upon us and the holidays – and holiday cards – are on the horizon?

Ziem is here to our holiday card rescue, answering the question most frequently asked by clients – what to wear for a photo shoot? Here are her top three suggestions for assembling a wardrobe sure to dazzle your holiday card recipients (which is obviously the point of sending those cards, right? Right.)

Tip #1 – Dress For Where You Want to Hang Your Session Prints, Not Your Holiday Card

Surprised that the all-important holiday card isn’t the point of the dressing? Here’s where Ziem encourages us to think long-term. While you may be doing a fall shoot with the intention of using those shots in a holiday card, those cards only last the season. Plus, most of us don’t know which card we’ll be using when we do our shoot. Therefore it’s easier and better long-term to coordinate what you’re wearing to the place you ultimately want to hang the images.

For example, this wardrobe set for a family of four is just the thing to spice up a neutral room, yet it wouldn’t look out of place on most contemporary holiday cards.

Tip #2 – Dress to Coordinate with One Another, Not Match

Gone are the days of 1980s yore, when dressing for photos was as easy as everyone donning matching white button-downs and acid-washed jeans. Mom jeans, that is. A more modern, less Mom Jeans take on family dressing is coordination, where patterns and colors complement one another but aren’t identical.

To get started on coordination, Ziem often employs a rule of thumb often used in interior design – pick one color to dominate at approximately 60%, with one “dominant” accent at around 40% and another around 10%. As far as patterns go, a family wanting a more traditional look might look to balance solids, geometrics, and florals.

On the other hand, a family wanting a more contemporary look might stick to a more monochromatic palette and more subtle patterns, choosing to mix up textures instead. Metallic accents can spice up this sort of neutral look and adds a fun holiday touch as well.

Tip #3 – Try On Outfits Before Your Shoot

Ziem’s last tip is her most important one – all family members need to try on their outfits before the actual shoot. As parents know, children in particular won’t be their happy, boisterous selves if they’re in itchy, uncomfortable clothing or too-tight shoes. Getting candid shots of a person’s best self involves his or her being comfortable, and that starts with the wardrobe not only looking good, but feeling good as well.

With those three tips in mind, you’re ready to tackle Faux Fall and book your fall mini-session shoot – speaking of, contact Ziem at z@ziemphotography.com today to sign up! Only one spot remaining . . .

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Austin Family Photographer

What to Wear Fall 2016 – Top Three Tips

Austin Photographers