Choosing A Travel Session Wardrobe

Travel

A young woman with long, blonde hair sporting jean shorts, a crop top, and white high tops walks the dividing lines on a Wisconsin road during a travel senior session.

As a photographer who’s been in this business for several years, I understand how important wardrobe choices are to clients.  When you add in all of the extra logistics that come along with a travel session, choosing a travel session wardrobe can be downright daunting.  Don’t let it intimidate you!  Below are a few tips sure to make the process a little simpler for you.

Consider A Capsule Wardrobe

If you’re not familiar with a capsule wardrobe, it’s essentially a small collection of pieces that you can interchange to create multiple outfits.  This is helpful in a few ways!  First, it’s going to save you a small fortune on extra checked luggage if you’re flying to your location. While wardrobe changes are something I recommend, especially for senior travel sessions, it doesn’t mean you have to pack a small closet along! 

A capsule wardrobe also simplifies the planning process when it comes to travel. All of the pieces flow together nicely without pouring a ton of time and thought into it.  Wardrobe is important and pieces should be chosen that display client aesthetic, but the faces in the photos are always the most important part.

Statement Pieces

I think it’s clear from the galleries I’ve shared that I love a good statement piece.  By that, I mean a beautiful, flowing dress that catches the wind for instance.  The dresses we used at the Glamis Sand Dunes are great examples!  Pieces like this add an element of elegance to the sessions and take an already fun shoot to the next level.  The dresses I mentioned caught the wind beautifully during the shoot and added movement that couldn’t have been achieved with other choices.  A steamer will be your best friend to keep them looking pristine. If you’re in the market for a great travel steamer, I highly recommend this steamer!  I’ve used it personally on multiple occasions.  It definitely makes things easier when your clothes have been tucked away in luggage.

Aside from bold clothing items, never underestimate the power of the right accessories! Even if a flowing gown isn’t your style, the perfect hat or the right pair of earrings can add flair to any outfit. (While we’re mentioning hats, keep in mind that this can be worn on your flight to avoid packing it away and flattening it!) Accessorizing is key to completing any outfit, don’t be shy!

Three young women in floor length, flowing gowns pose with scarfs atop the Glamis Sand Dunes during a California travel photography session with Kellie Rochelle Photography.

Give It a Test Run

Before you pick an outfit, be sure to try on everything in advance to make sure that you really love it.  Does it fit the way you want?  Do the accessories work with the outfit the way you envisioned it in your head?  It’s important that you feel comfortable and confident in whatever you choose.  The middle of a session shouldn’t be when you realize that you don’t love what you’re wearing.  A test run is perfect for avoiding that scenario! 

When you’re traveling, you don’t have the luxury of bringing three or four back-up outfits like you would if you were close to home.  Instead, choose your outfit and try it on exactly the way you plan to be photographed.  By this, I mean shoes, accessories, hair– the whole shabang.  Make sure you love it before you pack it! Planning is a necessity for travel sessions and it pays off in the long run.

Three young women pose outside a Queenstown sign as part of a travel senior session with Kellie Rochelle Photography.

With 2023 just days away, now is the perfect time to get on the schedule for your own travel session!  Get in touch with me to work out the details.  Let’s see the world together!


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