There is something many seniors overlook when planning their senior wardrobes: shoes. It sounds like something many people would have planned out, but I can’t count the number of sessions where a senior realized too late that they didn’t have the right shoes or that the shoes didn’t look great on camera. I want to share some tips for finding the best footwear, and feeling confident in your choices:
- Start early: Before you’ve finalized your outfits and wardrobe, it’s essential to choose the proper footwear for your session. That’s because sometimes if you find the perfect outfit, you still can’t find the right shoes and you don’t want to run out of time too close to your shoot. We recommend starting at least 2 months before your shoot (more time if possible) gathering the items and staples that you want to wear…things like great jeans, a beautiful blouse, or a knockout dress that makes you feel like a million bucks! Once you’ve decided on the pillars of your shoot, you’ll have time to order or find the right pairs of shoes. Keep in mind that some shipping times are taking longer than expected.
- Look at how the shoes photograph: Once you’ve decided on your whole outfits or have the general idea, ask a friend or family member to take some snapshots on their phone so you can see whether you like the way it looks with your outfit. Sometimes, shoes that seem like they work end up photographing more clunky or oversized than anyone realizes. It’s best to know all of those things ahead of time and be able to make adjustments.
- Clean any shoes that you are bringing: If you aren’t sure how to clean fabrics like suede or leather, you can consult a tailor or professional cleaner and find out. I recommend cleaning white sneakers before you wear them as well, because scuffs and stains can really show up on camera. The best idea is to gently pack your shoes for your session the day before in garment bags or even in clean trash bags to keep them separate from your wardrobe.
- Choose the right footwear for your location: Heels can be really difficult if you’re planning on doing your photos in a field or a country location. Please let me know if you are planning to wear a high or stiletto pair of shoes and want a rural location so we can plan accordingly. I definitely know some seniors want to contrast their location with an editorial or high fashion look so we can certainly work together to find the right look (keeping your safety in mind so there aren’t any twisted ankles!). If you’re planning on only bringing heels, throw in a pair of flip flops to give your feet a break if needed.
Footwear is deeply important to your senior shoot, and can bring a session together or be the thing that negatively draws the eye in. Don’t leave your shopping until the last minute; instead choose your shoes early and enter your shoot feeling confident and ready!
