Direction & Clothing Choices

[PictureCow]

How much direction do you give your clients about clothing options?

I'm photographing some engagment photos in two weeks and the bride and I were discussing outfit choices. She wants to wear a strapless sundress. The issue is... her upper body really isn't flattering. I'm positive this outfit will not be a good choice especially since her finace is uber skinny.

I've given her my advice on clothing choices...I got the impression she was a bit deffensive. This is all via email so I don't actually know for certain if I'm reading more into it or not. I was senstive with my wording as well.

What I ultimately I left it at...was they were her photos but I would suggest at least one outfit choice should be long sleeve and solid colors. (I have a changing tent I always bring for location shoots)

I'm tempted to send her some photos of girls that are her size that have worn sleeveless shirts/tops so she can see exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm always suprized by what some people wear. So I have plenty of example on how sleevless is a bad choice unless you're really a super model to begin with... BUT I don't want to offend her either. Which I think personally I'd be offended... but then again. I think I'd want my photographer to make me look the best I can look too... so I don't know what to do.

Everytime someone hasn't followed my directions... and they showed up wearing something awful... they're never happy with the way they look in the photographs. I've had two people ask for a reshoots because they didn't like their outfits and honestly I don't have the time for that kind of crap. Especially when they don't want to pay for another sitting fee.

So what should I do? I don't want to be a bitch about it... but this is one of those cases... where I really feel in my hearts heart that I am right. She won't be happy with the photos in a sundress.

Any Advice?

[sbp]

You did right thing. I tell girl to do less makeup most of the time unless their skin is made for make up.
But if they wear even though you have said noting you can do.

If they ask for reshoot you ask for $ for another reshoot as they want to act like little spoil kid.
I wonder sometime if they go to Doctor do they tell them what medicine they want.

[Holly]

Hmm...that does sound like a dilemma. If she really wants to wear that outfit and is appearing to get her feelings hurt by you suggesting otherwise...I would take the portraits in what she chooses to wear. Most that have asked me what to wear were totally understandable when I said sleeveless weren't very flattering, no matter what your body type is..I mean...who wants to look less than their best? Strange to me that she is not wanting to take a professional's advice...she may regret it later. Then again, a quick trip to the grocery store will show you a lot of women who think they look amazing in clothes that are 4 sizes too small. I think you have done all you can do without hurting her feelings. I would probably not send her images of larger women in strapless dresses...

-and no offense to anyone who is a bit larger. No matter what size you are, you should wear clothes that fit you and that flatter you for a professional portrait.

[Holly]

One more thing...where did you find your changing tent? I've been meaning to look into getting one.

[PictureCow]

Thanks Holly,

I think you're right. I've said what I could.

Oh and I got my tent at HEB no less!! It was $14 bucks!! I've seen the same tent for $60-$100 bucks other places.

Even better there is a shiney gold side and a shiney silver side! It was a very happy find.

I plan on looking at HEB again when they get their spring and summer stuff out.... If I see them again I'll post and let you know! :D It was marketed as a change at the beach tent.

[brad]

I agree with Holly.. in portraits, sleeveless almost always looks horrible, no matter what your body type... they make look fine in it in person, but the camera has a way of drawing attention to body parts in unflattering ways... maybe that's the way you can put it. That its not that she looks bad in the dress, but the dress will look bad on camera.

And please let us know if you find tents again.. the closest HEB I know of is near Waco, but I'd drive there for a $14 changing tent. :)

[roxannejomitchell]

if she shows up in strappy dress, you can always have her sweetheart put his hand on the flabby part of the arm.

[Gordon]

I'm not a woman but have at least the experience of being married to go on.

Focus on the positives, give glowing praise to the things that would work well, be better, show her off to the best effect.

The other advice is not to argue with your clients too much - if she wants shots like that, take shots like that. It is probably quicker to do what she wants and move on to a different option than trying to dissuade her from a bad option. This has worked well for me in the past when people want to suggest poses or provide input.

Just do it - it makes them happy, you take the shot they want and then quickly, once you've done their idea, move on to your own. They feel they contributed, they are happy, then they typically will buy/ prefer your idea anyway.

So the way to avoid it is to add options, suggest additional things to do - it might add 15 minutes to your shoot, but you'll all end up happy, she'll not look annoyed in the pictures or try to make something else change. If you get her to bring a jacket/ top that goes with the dress, you can shoot with it on, or off and give the options in the final pictures.

I don't think sending her pictures of people looking unattractive in pictures is a good idea. She'll just take it as you saying she looks as unattractive and fat as the people in the pictures (i.e., she'll miss the point and go straight to the insult)

[brad]

Originally Posted by PictureCow

Oh and I got my tent at HEB no less!! It was $14 bucks!! I've seen the same tent for $60-$100 bucks other places.

Even better there is a shiney gold side and a shiney silver side! It was a very happy find.

I did some web searching.. is this the tent you found?

http://store.buyhammocks.com/popupchro.html

Its $63 at this site.. you may have found a clearance price.

[PictureCow]

Thanks for the comments folks! Yes! That is my tent!! :D

[Care]

Here's a suggestion. Tell her you like to have clients bring two outfits, to capture different moods. Then shoot both. She'll wear what she likes (the sundress) and maybe bring what you have suggested. In the end, she'll probably see you were right and pick "your" outfit, but without you having to say anything and risk offending her.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by Care

Here's a suggestion. Tell her you like to have clients bring two outfits, to capture different moods. Then shoot both. She'll wear what she likes (the sundress) and maybe bring what you have suggested. In the end, she'll probably see you were right and pick "your" outfit, but without you having to say anything and risk offending her.

this is a great suggestion, let us know how it goes with this shoot. If nothing else, maybe get an understanding up front that if you have to reshoot, there will be an additional sitting fee.

BTW, I'll let you know if my HEB has that tent