What to Wear Wednesday...with Wendy Ewing
It's WTWW and we're wrapping up our Studio theme for September with 2 posts! Post 1 for today comes from Wendy Ewing of Studio E Photography!
"Studio Freestyle- How fun is that? To me it translates into anything goes!
Styles for in studio shoots can be simple, chic, industrial, vintage, country, casual, dressy, trendy, retro, fun, sports related, boho— you name it!
Most times I find my Seniors either love a certain background a friend had or want something “different”. Even when they want the same background you should look at how you can make it different. Make it a rocker outfit, add fun accessories or school memorabilia. Have them grab their favorite PJs and a cup of joe, again, anything goes.
Lighting can help change up the look of an outfit or a background. Here we have a some backlit natural light shots mixed with some old school continuous hot lights and regular studio strobes.
I offer a planning session with my Seniors to take a look at outfits, get to know them a little and see their style. I also have them fill out a questionnaire. It asks questions like if a song was playing when you walked into a room, what would it be? Or what’s your secret super power? It makes them stop for a minute and really think about themselves. Sometimes the questions stump them, some have no idea who they are or want to be and other times they know exactly. From their answers it’s easy to ask the Senior more questions like if they have a particular look they want to go for. Sometimes they say they want vintage, or want the look of it not looking like a studio at all but to be transported to far away glamorous place. Mostly they just want to have fun and to trust you as a professional to create something amazing for them.
Just as important as what they wear is what will your studio wear.
Pillows- the easiest way to transform a look! I may or may not have an addiction to them, depending on who you ask. :) You can go clean and simple, velvet, bold and bright or add some glitz and shag fur - Can't you hear Austin Powers saying "Yeah Baby” with these pillows?!
If the outfit speaks for itself, keep the back ground simple and let the outfit be the focus.
If “different” is the focus, their outfit can be very important… you can’t just pick the outfit of the racks at everyone’s favorite store at the mall. You need to have fun with it, look through magazines for inspiration. Go to thrift stores and look for that one special top, or vest, or some old shoes that can make the whole look.
Shooting in studio is all about creating a scene to match the mood of the outfit. Or creating a mood and saying "ok go find an outfit that goes along with this set up." A new favorite place for me to get inspiration to help them put together outfits, heck even for lighting or a studio set up is old album covers and iTunes album artwork.
Seniors - Have fun with a fashion inspired look that you may not want to rock in school, but it’s just fun and different from your norm. Your photoshoot and In Studio can be when your fun, alter ego comes out! "
Thanks so much for sharing these images and tips with us, Wendy! It really comes down to knowing what your senior wants to portray and making it happen!Stay Stylish,