Styling Tips for a Rhythmic Gymnastics or Dance Portrait Session
A leotard with a bun is your daily go to... What should you do with more freedom to express yourself during a portrait session?!? This guide will give you some tips and inspiration for styling your outfit ahead of an outdoor portrait session.
Selecting your Colors
Neutral colored outfits are always a great go-to! You can never go wrong with light neutral earth tones colors like cream, taupe, camel or light gray. The camera also loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light-colored neutrals. That softer, more neutral color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments and keeps the focus right where it should be, on you! I recommend staying away from overly bright/neon colors because they can take the focus away from you and your beautiful movements. Note that black clothing will instantly make a portrait feel heavier. Solid colors or subtle patterns work best. If you're going to wear a pattern, make sure the design isn't smaller than a dime! That can create some weird effects with digital cameras! All that being said, your outfit is totally up to you!
Coordinating Color Palettes
Will there be multiple people in your photos? Here is some fun inspiration and a starting place for your outfit selections! You can piece these colors together from both horizontal and vertical line pairings to find combinations that will look great together and coordinate without being too matchy-matchy.
The goal for coordinating a group outfits is to visually break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom (like everyone in black pants with white shirts). The more you can mix it up, the better! I encourage you to think about planning each outfit with “dominant colors” and “accent colors” in mind. A dominant color is the color that you see the most in an outfit, while an accent has a smaller piece of visual real estate. When you’re planning each group member’s outfit, if you can aim for each person to have a different dominant color, and then tie in and vary the accent colors, it’ll look great all together.
Styling the Outfit
You may choose to wear cute gym clothes, a stylish top with shorts, pants or a skirt, or even a dress!
Dresses and skirts tend to look stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! Fabrics that flow and move are recommended to allow poses utilizing a wide range of motion. And, flowy fabrics look great on camera! That being said, you also want to be able to show your beautiful lines in photos. Consider a fitted top paired with a skirt or a dress that hugs the torso and flows at the hips.
Street clothes can give a fun, casual vibe. Consider asymmetrical or interesting cuts if you use street clothes for your photoshoot outfit. unique clothing shapes can help catch the eye and make your portraits stand out.
The key takeaway is that your attire should prioritize comfort and confidence, as these qualities will shine through prominently in your photographs.
What to do with your hair
A tidy bun is just fine if you want to stay in your comfort zone... But think of the possibilities! Hair blowing in the wind and moving as you move... A half-up, hairstyle can be great for keeping hair out of your face, yet allowing it to add movement to your photos. Or, hair down is always a great way to show your personality and add character to your photos.
Accessories and Props
Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images.
Feel free to wear some simple jewelry that won't get in the way of your movements. Simple studs earrings and a short necklace can add a bit of polish.
Including rhythmic gymnastics apparatus in your photos can add interest and variety! If you choose to use apparatus, be mindful that the color(s) of your apparatus go well with the rest of your outfit.
Additional Tips to Ensure a Successful Portrait Session
- Warm up and stretch before your session to maximize your ability to hit your pose and not get injured!
- Show up prepared and on time
- Bring a water bottle
- Feel free to have some poses in mind that you love! I will also come ready to pose you.
Let's Book Your Session!
Coming up soon, Minneapolis Minis!
Limited session times available the morning of June 26th.
Interested in booking a standard session?
Contact Jayme!
