Winter photos are fun too. Oci and Zip To Texas in Buffalo Minnesota

 

Here are some tips and tricks for what to wear for your equine photo session. 

 

My fundamental barn attire is usually some form of britches, a long-sleeved tee-shirt with UPF 50 for the sun and Minnesota bugs, and Ariat Terrain boots. Workmanlike, and definitely would step up the attire for portrait photos. 

 

When Planning What to Wear, Start with a Color Palette 

I've found some great tips from My Style Class with Rose Jubb about getting the right items to wear, finding the best colors, and developing a personal brand style. (Of course, Rose and I still don't see eye-to-eye on how many pockets a person needs. When I die, my pockets will have dog poop bags and treats.  

 

Start with your story - earth tones, jewel tones, pastels, neutrals. Now that you've decided which color family you want to use, select 3-4 colors in the palette to base your outfit. Pro-tip - light colors will get dirty at the shoot, so plan accordingly or consider wearing a coverup. 

 

For help with planning the right colors for your horse, head over to Hobby Horse Clothing and check out their Winning Colors wheel. 

 

This is probably a good time to mention hats too. First, decide if you want images with a hat, and if so, know that will be the last piece we add to the outfit, so your hair stays looking nice with no hat crease. 

 

Choose well-fitting clothes and pay attention to lengths. Shirts look best if they come to the elbow or below. Skirts and dresses are best below the knees. Pants should go all the way down your legs. All of those help elongate your body. 

 

Pattern, Prints, Texture 

As a general rule, you won't go wrong with classic, timeless looks. Think linen, knits, corduroy, suede, and denim. Next, add some dimension to your outfit with tone-on-tone patterns, swiss dots, and lace are all excellent options. Textures give depth, add interest to your look, and will look great next to your horse's coat too. Muted colors in the patterns will focus on your connection with your horse and not being a clothes horse.

 

Monochrome

You'll be happier with your final images if your clothes are in a typical tonality. For example, a light-colored top should have a light-colored bottom. Dark tops look better with dark bottoms. There are exceptions to that rule, but as a general rule, monochromatic outfits are more flattering. You'll look taller, leaner and your overall appearance will be more put together for portraits. 

 

Layers 

If you live in Minnesota or a similar climate, you know layers are your friend. Add layers to enhance your look. Jewelry, scarves, jackets, blazers, cardigans, vests, & sweaters are easy ways to add interest and elevate your style. As an added bonus, if you have a base outfit, you'll be able to quickly change your look without working too hard.

 

Considering what you're going to wear before your session helps you feel more confident. Wear clothes you love and feel comfortable wearing. You and your horse deserve more than cellphone selfies. 

 

Want to know the Do's and Don'ts of Horse Show Fashion Photo Shoots? Check out this post. (Coming soon, please check back)