Choosing your outfits for photos doesn’t have to be stressful or cost a lot of money! This is one of the complaints I most often get from clients, and I want to prove that it can be easy, and your budget will still be in tact at the end of it! It does take a bit of prep work, but it’s worth it to find outfits you love and all while sticking to your budget! These are all tips and tricks that I’ve used for my own family photos, and we get photos done 2-3 times a year! That definitely would not be possible without sticking to my budget, so without further adieu, here are my tips!

1. Determine the Style

Browse Pinterest for styles that really speak to you!  Do you want preppy? Boho? This will help you narrow down your options and keep you focused on what you need to buy to complete the looks you want. Once you have that picked out, then you need to…

2. Pick a Color Scheme

Again, narrowing down your options will make it so your search is focused and you aren’t wasting your time. Example, you could pick blue, white, and pink and then mix and match within those parameters! Example: Outfit 1, your fiance will wear a blue shirt and khaki pants. You will wear a cream top with a pink skirt. Outfit 2, he will wear khaki pants with a blue suit jacket, and you’ll wear a pink lace dress! Re-using pieces (his pants) will cut down on spending!

3. Shop Your Closet

The best way to save money, is by looking at what you already have! Using pieces in new ways – layering a blouse over a dress, switching out shoes, adding in some jewelry – can help make old clothes feel new again! And chances are, you already have some great stuff in your closet! Find the pieces that will work for your ideal outfits, and then head out shopping!

4. Look at Stores that Coordinate

A few places that instantly come to mind are: Old Navy, H&M, and J. Crew. They have clothing for all genders and all age groups, so it’s easy to find outfits that go well together at those stores. Also helpful, they usually have sales going on! If you sign up for their mailing lists, there’s usually a bonus coupon code that you can add as well!

5. Use a Rental Service

If you want to look super fancy, but know you’ll never wear a gold sequin dress again, Rent the Runway is a GREAT option! You just pay the rental fee, have the dress of your dreams for a few days, and then send it back! Low cost, but great return, because your photos will look amazing!

Here are a few example outfits I put together using the suggested stores above!

OLD NAVY OUTFITS:

J. CREW OUTFITS:

I hope those tips about shopping with a budget were helpful! And please don’t hesitate to reach out for outfit help when you book your session!