If you’ve booked yourself a Verve Experience, you are in for a real treat. Without giving too much away, you are about to make history in a five star studio with an award winning portrait artist. Do you know what’s even more incredible? When you revisit your images in our design cinema, you will have the opportunity to make these memories last as finished works of art to adorn your home.
So, the BIG question is: What do you wear for an occasion like this??
Well, we’re glad you asked! This is, above all, your story to tell and we want you to feel comfortable while we help you tell it. Our photographers are masters at their craft, so we know exactly how to make you look and feel amazing. Expressing yourself through your own personal style and wardrobe is all part of the fun and the following tips will help you feel at ease in what you choose to wear to this extra special event
True self projection is always more appealing:
Our photographers are here to perfectly capture your truth and this means visualising you and your loved ones as part of your story. Your sartorial choices will help reflect an honest and candid projection of your lifestyle. Think about who you are and don’t be afraid to be raw. Your story is best told from your point of view, of course a few helpful tips front the experts never go astray! We hope you enjoy using these handy hints to balance your look with authenticity:
Comfort = Confidence!
When you step into the studio, it’s natural to feel a little bit nervous, after all, this is a unique experience. It’s important then that your clothing makes you feel just as comfortable. When you are comfortable in your clothes, you project far more confidence in your appearance. This is not the moment to bring out that skin tight spaghetti strap sequin dress you’ve never worn or the uncomfortable yet formal blouse that doesn’t quite fit. Depending on the story you wish to tell, it may also not be appropriate to wear your careworn threadbare house shorts or stained singlet.
We suggest opting for favourite staple items in your wardrobe that you would consider wearing as part of an ‘any occasion’ outfit. Your favourite pair of trousers, those items that go with everything and can be dressed up or down, that special piece that gets you the most compliments when you step out. Wearing something that allows you to feel comfortable, is easy to move and breath in and doesn’t require any fuss, those are great pieces to build your look around..
Photography Loves Texture!
Texture is like being able to touch things with your eyes. Think about the texture and feel of your clothing, this can really enhance your imagery. If you are after a softer overall look, fine knits and luxe jerseys should do the trick. If you want to go for a crisp lighter feel, think fibrous linens and polished cottons. If you want a wintry feel, then cable knits and wools will look cozy, you can play with beanies and scarves to add dimension. Silks, organzas, soft suedes and satin materials tend to hint at evening or occasion attire and leather will always give your outfit an edge. Mix a few of these textures together for bolder imagery or stick to one or two to keep things simple for a more classic feel. Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for advice, they are experts after all and they want you to love your imagery as much as they enjoyed creating it with you.
Shape Your Style
Our photographers are highly creative and generally speaking see things in terms of line and shape, light and dark. Keep silhouettes in mind when putting together a look as this can add drama to your imagery or form creative angles for your photographer to work with. Generally speaking shape should flatter, so if you have long legs show them off, if you are top heavy, gently layer, if you are bottom heavy, opt for loose & flowing and balance on top. If you like structure, wear a suit or a stylish jacket, if you want a feminine look draped shapes and synched waists are your friend, if you want to keep things casual opt for classic styles. Shapes that can be fun to play with in studio include:
Bell sleeves, full circle skirts, structured jackets, loose fit denims, angular minimalist designs, cropped cuts, wide legs and high waists. A good rule of thumb to work with is to accentuate your waist, wrists and ankles by rolling sleeves, cuffing trousers and synching at the navel. Your photographer will do the rest!
Colour Your World
It’s a good idea to keep your interior styling in mind when creating different colour stories. Colour is a statement and you will want this to harmonise with your home and your self expression. Bold clashing primary colours might only work on a high key white background in a highly stylised minimalist environment, where as pale neutrals or warm pastels allow you more flexibility. If you have slate, stone or marble accents in the home, then incorporate some of these colourways into your look where you can; as grey marle, stonewashed denim, bone linen, black silk. Be sure to balance something like this out with a little warmth; cream tones, earthy rusts, burnt sienna.
If your home has rustic tones then you can stick with these themes and choose a pop of natural colour to heighten attention – think olive greens, cherry red, mustard, bluebell. A hardstyle minimalist environment can be echoed in your imagery using bold alternative colour accents, while a traditional classic space can reflect in paired back tones. Avoid fluerescents and mixing bright primaries like red, yellow and blue. Stick to one or two pops of complimentary colour, remembering, less is more. If you are styling the whole family try not to create uniformity, allow for individuality within a colour story that you would feel comfortable displaying in the home
Patterns
Your best friend or worst enemy! Classic and simple is best. Make sure your patterns aren’t wearing you. Mix patterns if you are after a fashion forward, daring look, otherwise choose a pattern to work in with a plain for balance and use them to create a look you wish to project. If your prints are larger and well spaced this will allow your photographer to use it as part of your image, if they are smaller and highly repetitive, they will form part of the overall texture of your portrait. Similar to your colour choices, patterns should stick to simple, minimal colourways, one or two pops amongst neutrals. Well spaced checks and stripes are fun, but finely spaced stripes, herringbone and houndstooth are to be avoided as they blur together in the lense and become distracting.
Choosing patterns based on history can help you tell your story; classic plaid Vs contemporary flamingo prints will really say something different about the individual wearing it. Keep clashing and complimentary patterns and colour ways in mind when dressing your tribe. It’s best for everyone to be on the same page in terms of casual Vs formal, however it’s important that each look isn’t a uniform. Bring a few options if you are unsure and ask your photographer what they might suggest based on the session plan they created for you.
If your home has rustic tones then you can stick with these themes and choose a pop of natural colour to heighten attention – think olive greens, cherry red, mustard, bluebell. A hardstyle minimalist environment can be echoed in your imagery using bold alternative colour accents, while a traditional classic space can reflect in paired back tones. Avoid fluerescents and mixing bright primaries like red, yellow and blue. Stick to one or two pops of complimentary colour, remembering, less is more. If you are styling the whole family try not to create uniformity, allow for individuality within a colour story that you would feel comfortable displaying in the home
Timeless
Classic looks rarely date and are effortless to style. Looks that are timeless simply can’t be tied down to any particular period and will endure beyond this season’s fads. Think tailored crisp black and white ensembles, simple silhouettes, complimentary colour combinations, simple patterns and classic cuts won’t let you down if you are ever stuck for ideas. Edit your jewellery and accessories and opt for one off pieces, that are special, heirloom or have meaning and significance to you. These little additions are details in a bigger picture of what it means to be you.
Bare
Sometimes skin on skin is the purest way to demonstrate connection, celebrate your body or bare your soul. Style choices don’t hinder your self expression in this regard and it can be a real moment of freedom for you should you choose to create nude portraits with your photographer as part of your experience. This is wholly personalised and entirely your choice, but if you are
selecting underwear for this occasion stick to simple, tasteful basic pieces in neutral tones such as black, white, nude and grey, for a raw honest look.
If you want to showcase your wild side, then we encourage you to go all out and express yourself. Think about the positioning of any tattoos you may or may not wish to photograph, scars that may hint at a deeper history, or elements of your body that you may never have thought could be important in telling your story. Your photographer is experienced in helping you see yourself in a whole new light, so don’t be shy.
