Can I Wear Jeans For My Session?

The simple answer is "yes". But there is a more complicated answer of "I don't recommend it". But I don't give or withhold recommendations for no reason and I want to explore the reasoning behind why I DON'T recommend jeans in this post.

If you show up to a session in jeans, I'm not going to refuse to complete the session. I can only make suggestions but these are suggestions I make based on experience and for your satisfaction with your photos.

First off, not all jeans are created equal. Some are nicer quality in color and appearance but we'll touch on that more in a moment.

Why You Should Not Wear Jeans
You're getting professional photos taken. These are not snapshots of your daily life. You're investing time and money in this experience and the photos will be displayed in your home and online and in albums. This is a once a year experience and it means something.

This is the time for a little extra. Nice hair, makeup (for the ladies), and your "Sunday best" as it used to be called. You don't want to not be yourself but you want to present your best self.

I want my clients to love their photos and I know that they will be happier overall if they take the time to put in some effort and dress nicer.

What About Comfort?
Comfort is key when it comes to getting photos taken. If you are not comfortable in what you're wearing, you will not be able to relax and that will show in the final images. But "nice" doesn't not equal "uncomfortable". There are so many options for dressing nicely and still being comfortable and it might mean buying something new so it fits better. Don't try to squeeze into an old pair of slacks because "it's only for a few hours". You'll be thankful for new, well-fitting clothes, trust me.

Shouldn't My Photos Look Like Me?
If you are a more casual family then putting the guys in suit coats, dress shirts, and ties won't be an accurate depiction of your family. You do want to consider your personal style when selecting outfits but once again, this is a unique event and it deserves some effort.

So What Should I Wear?
I recommend some kind of slacks for guys. Navy, brown, khaki, or black; something along those lines. The press lines that are on guys' dress pants are there for a reason because they make men's legs look their best. Ladies, dresses or long skirts show you off to the best advantage as well. If that's not your thing, then dress slacks are a wonderful option as well. White and black are classic colors for women's pants.

If You Must Wear Jeans
Maybe your kids refuse to wear the nicer clothes or you didn't realize that the nice pants had holes or a stain or were too small and now it's too late to get anything new. If you need to wear jeans to your session, the darker the better. Blue jeans are more casual than grey or black jeans (those are your best options) but when it comes to blue jeans, the darker wash you have, the better and classier they will look. Also, you want to avoid ripped jeans. I know they are trendy and cool, but your photos last longer than trends and you don't want to be looking back one day and regretting your outfit choices. (#beentheredonethat) Also, you can hide the casualness of jeans by pairing them with nice shoes and a dressy top.

Got any wardrobe questions for me? Want clarification on any of the points in this post? Leave a comment below and I am happy to answer them!