Styling for Guys

First off guys, I want you to know up front that I understand you might not be super excited about this. A lot of my guy clients are basically forced into this by their moms. ;) I get it. But guess what. I think it’s going to be more fun than you realize, and I’m pretty confident you’re going to love your pics. So stick with me here.

Styling is the most important part of planning. This cannot be overstated :)  Putting some thought into this up-front will really pay off. Please read this page thoroughly to get the most from your session.

Style & Fit.

Wear something that represents your style and makes you feel confident! Try ALL of your outfits on first and be sure everything looks good, fits well and is comfortable. If you don’t love it, don’t wear it.

Up your style-game a little from what you might normally wear. By incorporating both timeless and on-trend looks, you’ll look great and bring variety to your session.

COLOR PALET. I recommend neutral staples like off-whites, stone/khaki, black, gray, navy, etc. But it’s also important to include some pops of color. I recommend warm, earthy, or subdued tones. These look greatl against our PNW backdrop and work well with most skin tones and my editing style. Please stay away from bright colors and/or bold/busy prints as they can be visually distracting and sometime compete with the surroundings.

Plan on 3…possibly 4 outfits.  We’ll definitely have time for 3 full outfit changes. The 4th outfit depends on the location, accessibility to changing, and other variable circumstances. Try to incorporate variety in your outfits so they’re all very different from each other. For example: 1. A suite/something dressy. 2. Something super casual but well-styled. 3. 1-2 everyday outfits.

ACCESSORIZE and LAYER. Hats, sunglasses, belts, watches, bracelets, necklaces, etc. not only complete your look and add style, but they are GREAT for posing, giving your hands something to do. They can also be easily taken on or off for different looks throughout your session. Same goes for layering. Adding a jacket or over-shirt creates visual interest and offers more posing options.

Props & Pets.(optional of course). If you’re an athlete or musician, let’s showcase that in a few of your photos. Incorporating simple props/accessories like sunglasses or a baseball cap, is a great way to add variety to your shots. And if you’re really into your pet, let’s include him/her in a few shots!

What to Wear

I suggest at least one elevated outfit. A suit, or sport jacket paired with nice jeans and a v-neck tee or button-up. Think dapper and GQ.  A lot of guys are really resistant to this, as it just isn’t “them”. But..I can almost promise that by stepping out of your comfort zone a little here, these will end up being some of your favorite shots.

If your style is much more casual and/or you prefer a rural location, a suit may not fit the scene. Instead, choose one outfit that really embraces an ultra casual vibe - but isn’t necessarily an everyday look for you. Maybe a rugged vest, baseball cap, or cowboy hat. Or stylish “athleisure” wear. If wearing a t-shirt, PLEASE avoid a plain white (or black) one. (which can just look like boring “Hanes” type t-shirt). Instead choose something with a bit more style. (See below about my favorite brand, True Classic).

Remember to wear a belt - even if you don't really need it.  Its purpose is more for style than function ;) Be sure your socks and shoes coordinate well with your outfits. If you’re wearing suit, or fashion shoes - sockless (or no shows) are on trend and create a nice clean look. Remember to throw in a bracelet, watch, or necklace, even if these aren’t something you’d normally wear. They’ll add visual interested and create a polished put-together look, I know you’ll love.

Choose retailers that are on-trend while offering a classic, timeless style. Express for Men is my personal favorite for an elevated look. Nordstrom, Madewell, Asos, Abercrombie, and H&M are great options for everyday style. Filson, Brixton, & Jack and Jones, for a more rugged/outdoorsy vibe that’s still well styled. My favorite brand for basic tee-shirts is True Classic. They come in a wide variety of colors, fit great, and are very reasonably priced. If you’re going with a plain t-shirt look, I recommend something with a little color vs. plain white or black. If your style is ultra casual and more on the athletic side, feel free to work in a fashionable athletic brand. Just be sure the logo is fairly inconspicuous (see below).

Putting it all together.  

It’s important that the location and wardrobe styling make sense. The tones in the environment and wardrobe should compliment each other. I’ll be working with you on this once I receive your questionnare which will tell me the vibe you’re going for.

Once you’ve got your outfits nailed, I’d love to see them at least 3 days prior to our session.  This helps me creatively map out your session based on the scenes I think will work best with your outfits, and which ones to start and end with. You can simply lay them out on a the floor or try them on. Just snap a pic and text them over to me. This also allows some wiggle-room on time in case I can offer some additional suggestions for your outfits.

And finally… (important tips).

  • No Wrinkles Please: PLEASE have your clothing well-pressed and choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Wrinkles look sloppy, create a visual distraction and are extremely difficult to edit. Therefore, it is not something I offer as a regular part of my retouching services. You’re making an investment in your senior session and I know you’ll want to look your best.

  • No Text or Logos. Please avoid graphic-tees (especially with writing or large logos). While it might be on-trend, it just becomes a visual distraction. We definitely want to keep the focus on YOU. The exception to this, of course, is if the logo text has significance (like a team or club you belong to), in which case, it’s totally fine!

  • Please arrive clean shaven. If you have facial hair (beard, goatee, etc.) make sure it's well defined, with the surrounding areas cleaned up (including neck hairs). And don't forget your eyebrows! If you’ve got a sturdy pair, be sure to clean them up a bit, if needed.

  • Hands & Nails:  Your hands will be used a lot in posing and they will definitely show. Please be sure your nails are clean and trimmed.