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I'm NIKKI CAVINESS.

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Deciding what to wear for your session while still feeling like yourself can be hard!
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Where Should I Shop for my Photo Session Look? – Fort Worth Lifestyle Photographer

Tips

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As a lifestyle photographer, I get asked all the time, “What should I wear for my photo session?” Mama, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered! I spent a year as a stylist for Stitch Fix and went through multiple trainings to learn about fit, fabrication, body shape, styles, and more. I’ve been interested in fashion for as long as I can remember, even as a young child when my mom just gave up and let me dress myself (my outfits were unique, to say the least!) I’ve pulled together my favorite stores for you to find unique, comfortable, affordable clothing options as well as some tips to help you dress your family.

family lifestyle photographer session

Zara

I love Zara for women’s clothes, but did you know Zara also has kid’s clothes?! This is probably my all-time favorite place to shop for little girls clothes. The items are unique, high-quality, and reasonably priced. Children’s clothing runs true to size to slightly big. Don’t be scared to order multiple sizes – they have free shipping and returns for orders over $50.

H&M

Don’t want to break the bank? Check out H&M! This is another place I like to shop for my whole family. Blouses and dresses range from the perfect neutral item to fun statement pieces. This is also a great place to find sweaters for the fall and winter with some beautiful texture.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is one of my go-to places to shop – mainly because I can purchase items in multiple sizes, colors, etc., and their return policy is the most lenient in the retail industry. I always shop online and never in-store (there isn’t one near us) and anytime I’ve had a problem (rarely, typically my fault), their customer service is top notch. They carry affordable brands as well as high-end brands, so there is a ton of variety no matter your price preference.

Madewell

Madewell is owned by J. Crew and has a more boho vibe than that of their parent company. I love Madewell for jeans, accessories, dresses, and hats! Since their clothing is aimed at a younger audience, beware that sometimes their blouses are on the shorter side. Try wearing a pair of high-waisted jeans to avoid showing your midriff.

newborn family lifestyle photographer

Old Navy

I’ve raved about Old Navy for my son before, but they really do have great options for the whole family! They have the best little boys jeans and some cute items for little girls. For pictures, I would check out their rompers, two-piece sets, and dresses for little girls. I recommend staying away from any of the “play-clothes” for your kids for your pictures. These are pieces such as graphic tees or anything you may send your kids to school in that you wouldn’t mind paint getting all over. While these are great for school and play, they can come across as low-quality in professional pictures. Also, looking for a shirt for Dad? Check out their button-downs which come in both slim and regular as well as tall.

Target

Can anyone really walk into Target without buying something? I don’t think so! I’ve shared some great Target finds on my Instastories before. They have a great selection of wallet-friendly items in pretty prints. Check them out for dresses and blouses. I would avoid Target for kid’s clothing…for pictures only! My kids’ play clothes are almost exclusively Target!

Anthropologie

If you’re looking for something special, check out Anthro. These items are a bit more expensive, but they’re so beautiful so you’ll get to wear them again after pictures! Look for unique patterns and colors, as well as flowy fabrics and fun textures. While you’re there, pick up one of their candles so your home smells dreamy during your in-home photo session!

Banana Republic

This is my go-to store for my husband. I’ve recommended them before but, ladies, get your husband the Traveler Pants! They are super comfy, come in multiple colors, and are a great alternative to jeans. If the rest of your family is in jeans, consider having your husband in a pair of khaki colored Traveler Pants to add some warmth to your pictures. Banana also has a great selection of button-down shirts and knits that aren’t t-shirts.

Birdie

If you want to support local, try Birdie to dress yourself! This local Fort Worth boutique has a lot of special pieces, but expect to pay a bit more for these high-end items. They have a range of accessories and shoes too! Check out their super cute hats for outdoor sessions.

family lifestyle photographer session

Here are some of my top tips when choosing your photo session looks:

  1. Consider your shoot location. Does your home have a lot of color and pattern? Choose more neutral clothing options. Is your home stark white? Consider adding some color to your look!
  2. Dress yourself first! If mom’s happy, everyone’s happy!
  3. Don’t be matchy matchy. This isn’t the early 2000s engagement photos, guys! Everyone has their own personality and clothing choices should reflect that. However, you don’t want to clash, so make sure your family is coordinated, not matching.
  4. Patterns, accessories, and texture add interest. Even if you choose neutral colored pieces, you can still choose a variety of patterns and textures which will photography beautifully. Think lace, thick knit sweaters, silk, cardigans, chambray, bracelets, layered necklaces, and fun earrings!

family lifestyle photographer session

 

I’m always happy to help too! If you have questions about whether a particular piece would photograph well, just ask me and I’ll let you know!

  1. […] put together a blog post with my suggestions on where to shop and clothing tips that you can read here. You can also check out my Pinterest board for inspiration […]

  2. […] posts, blog posts, newsletters, website updates, client documents such as session prep guides, styles guides, […]

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Explore

And welcome to The Blog! This is where you'll find my photography musings, tips for sessions, client recaps, and more. Stay a while and take a look!

I'm NIKKI CAVINESS.

Hey!