The Kogan Style Guide: What to Wear
The Kogan Style Guide: What to Wear
How to style your session for timeless, cinematic outdoor portraits.
What you wear plays a massive role in the final look of your photographs. Because our sessions take place in beautiful outdoor park environments, the goal is to complement nature, not compete with it. Most importantly, remember the end goal: you are dressing for the artwork that will hang on the walls of your home.
- Coordinate, Don’t Match: Gone are the days of everyone wearing identical white shirts and blue jeans. Instead, choose a color palette of 3 to 4 complementary colors and mix them throughout the group.
- Embrace Neutrals and Earth Tones: Soft pastels, warm earthy tones (rust, mustard, olive, terracotta), and classic neutrals (cream, beige, grey, navy) edit beautifully and look incredibly high-end.
- Avoid the Distractions: Please avoid neon colors, large graphic logos, Apple watches, and overly busy micro-patterns. These distract from your faces and can cast unflattering color reflections onto your skin.
- Think About Texture: Layers add beautiful depth to photographs. Think chunky knits in the fall, flowing linen in the summer, or a classic denim jacket to tie a look together.
Styling Your Family Session
- Start with Mom: We always recommend that Mom chooses her outfit first. Find a dress or outfit that makes you feel incredibly confident and comfortable, and then build the rest of the family’s wardrobe around those colors.
- Dress for Movement: Our family sessions are highly active. We will be walking, playing games, and capturing candid moments. Put the kids in clothes they can actually move and run in. If they are uncomfortable, it will show on their faces.
- Footwear Matters: We will be navigating parks, grass, and trails. Leave the stilettos at home and opt for stylish boots, clean lifestyle sneakers, or comfortable flats.
Styling Your Maternity Session
- Showcase the Silhouette: We want to celebrate the bump! Flowing maxi dresses that catch the wind look incredibly dramatic and elegant outdoors. Alternatively, a form-fitting dress that highlights your silhouette layered with a long cardigan or tailored coat works beautifully.
- The Partner’s Role: Because we treat maternity like an editorial couples shoot, your partner’s outfit needs to elevate the frame. A crisp button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, paired with well-fitted chinos or dark denim, perfectly complements a flowing maternity gown.
- Bring Options: If you are torn between two looks (e.g., one casual, one highly elegant), bring both! We have a full two hours and can easily accommodate a quick outfit change.
Styling Your Engagement Session
- Treat It Like an Elevated Date Night: This is your chance to dress up. Flowing dresses, tailored suits or blazers, and high-quality fabrics translate to stunning, cinematic engagement photos.
- The Two-Outfit Strategy: Since we have two hours, we highly recommend bringing two distinct outfits. Start with an “Elevated Casual” look (think cozy sweaters, nice denim, or a chic jumpsuit) for the more playful, interactive shots. Then, change into a “Formal/Romantic” look for the dramatic, sunset portraits.
- Own Your Vibe: Whether your style is edgy, classic, or bohemian, lean into it. The most important thing is that you feel like the best version of yourselves.
- Hair & Makeup: Professional hair and makeup are highly recommended. It adds an extra layer of polish and boosts your confidence in front of the lens. Keep makeup slightly heavier than your everyday look, as the camera tends to wash out subtle details.
- Empty Your Pockets: Before we start shooting, we will ask you to remove phones, keys, and bulky wallets from your pockets.
- Stay Hydrated & Rested: A park shoot is an adventure. Drink plenty of water the day before and make sure everyone (especially the little ones) is well-rested and fed before arriving at the location.