What to wear for your Kaua’i photos and Photo Prep Tips
a little pro advice makes all the difference
Planning all this can feel confusing.
But with the right planning, your photos can go from “meh” to absolutely epic!
I’m totally here to help you! These photos are going to be some of your most prized possessions and create lifetimes of memories – let’s make them as epic as possible! Scroll down for some helpful info on what to wear, hair and makeup and other pro tips and tricks to make these the best photos ever.
What to wear for your Kaua’i photos and Photo Prep Tips
a little pro advice makes all the difference
Planning all this can feel confusing.
BUT WITH THE RIGHT PLANNING, YOUR PHOTOS CAN GO FROM “MEH” TO ABSOLUTELY EPIC!
I’m totally here to help you! These photos are going to be some of your most prized possessions and create lifetimes of memories – let’s make them as epic as possible! Scroll down for some helpful info on what to wear, hair and makeup and other pro tips and tricks to make these the best photos ever.
wedding vendors and photoshoot tips
table of contents
general guidelines
Think advice rather than rules
01
DRESS UP… at least a little:
I want you to feel comfortable and like YOU. But dressing up more than you normally would makes for a different feel to the experience and the portraits. Super casual attire can end up looking more like a snapshot than a portrait.
02
Think CLASSIC over trendy:
A flowy dress on women is clean and classic and looks great on everyone. And you won’t look at the picture in 20 years and think “what was I wearing?”
03
COMPLIMENT each other:
You don’t have to be all matchy matchy but think about how your colors look together and avoid clashing colors. If one of you is wearing a busy pattern, choosing a solid for the other helps keep them from competing and being distracting.
What to wear for her
What should I wear for my Kaua’i photo session?
You are not alone in wondering – this is one of my most common questions 🙂 I’m here to share all my tips and advice!
Wear something that makes you feel BEAUTIFUL
Depending on the package you choose, wearing two or more outfits give you variety and allows you to have a fun casual look and an epic formal look in one session.
Comfortable is an important consideration and practical has it’s time and place… but you feeling amazing has no replacement!
When you feel beautiful it absolutely comes across in the photographs… and when you don’t it does as well… wear something that makes you feel beautiful.
What breaks my heart…
more than anything else, is when a gorgeous woman cannot see the beauty I see in her. I wish I had a magic wand to change this.
flatter (and love) your body
I want you to love yourself just as you are because YOU ARE PERFECT.
Having said that, let’s set you up for success when choosing your wardrobe.
If you know that you never love pictures of yourself in a short skirt, a sleeveless style or an open back then choose a dress that makes you feel comfortable during the session and that will help you adore the photos after. Simply choosing a longer skirt or a sleeve can make all the difference in how you feel about the photos.
let’s talk color
shades of white
White looks amazing on the beach and in any of the scenery on Kaua’i, it is beautiful in any lighting and with the vibrant sky and water my style of photography creates, it has that pop from the background that brings the focus to you.
shades of blue
Blues look amazing beside the ocean and are easy to coordinate together in different shades of blue and with other colors. Soft pastel blues look dreamy on the beach and navy blue has a slightly formal, elegant feel that I love near the water.
shades of pink
Pink is a perfect contrast to the blues of the sky and sea and the lush greenery of Kaua’i. Soft pinks are sooooo dreamy against sunrise and sunset skies and the mid day blues and bright pinks and corals can bring a little of that “center of attention”, fun, playful vibe. Pink pairs awesome with blue on him.
shades of red
True red and similar shades of burgundy and wine are absolute showstopper! They are dynamite at sunrise and sunset, the ultimate contrast to blue skies and ocean and epically attention grabbing in any situation. I am team Red Dress all the way!
bold colors
Yellows and golds provide a lot of contrast to the scenery of Kaua’i and draw attention as well.
Rich plums create a nice regal pop against blues and greens and are a rich compliment to moody sunsets. Bright teals seem to become one with the turquoise waters and create a beautiful symmetry.
classic black
Black is one of those timeless classics and a go-to for creating a more formal look. It’s not my fave on the beach as it seems that details can get a little lost. But I believe in exceptions to every rule so if that’s what your heart is set on I’m in!
what to wear – pro tips
what to avoid
I suggest avoiding super bright and neon colors, busy patterns, stripes, words and logos, t -shirts, and anything with a boxy fit or that makes you feel less than confident.
Shorts and capris can make the legs appear shorter. (on the other hand, if you love your legs a nice pair of shorts can be super cute and sexy!) Faded clothing can make the photographs themselves appear faded. Clothing that is too large can make the body appear wider than it really is.
thoughts on footwear
Running shoes and white socks do not photograph well.
Dressy shoes look so much better for those more formal shots.
Sandals or bare feet are perfect for the more casual looks.
Heels and ultra cute sandals can get lost in the sand and under long dresses but if you adore them bring them and we will find a way to get a few shots with them 🙂
don’t forget your hands
If it’s an engagement session we are of course going to be thinking about that ring… and if you’ve been married 20 years or having maternity photos I am still going to consider it in my posing because you spent a lot of time and money choosing it and it deserves some attention 🙂 Check your nails – you’ll have your hands on each other. Consider your nail polish color and make sure you’re happy with it being visible.
Dress Shopping
These are some stores I love for photoshoot dresses.
- Lulus
- BHLDN
- ASOS
- JJ’sHouse
- JoyFolie
- Yewen
- Free People (Some of my faves from Free People are the Adella, Santa Maria and Extratropical)
- Baltic Born
- Saly & Ivy
- The Boho Shed
- Silk Fairies
- Mii Estilo
- Chicaboo
raid my closet
My client closet of maternity gowns, beachy dresses, flying dresses and wedding gowns are available as a complimentary perk during your session with Sandy Swift Photography. Most are stretchy or adjustable and fit a range of sizes and body types, and despite some of them being so dramatic, most of them are super comfortable to wear. Depending on the length or your package you can wear several. Check them out and let me know which are your favorites!
Whether you love beachy and boho or showstopper glam – or both, I’ve got you covered! here are some client closet considerations
01
Some of these dresses with the epic long trains do best with some tossing assistance, so let me know ahead of time so I can try to schedule an assistant for your session.
02
Since our epic Kaua’i photo locations are often out of the way, or begin at sunrise before the public facilities have opened, changing into your client closet gown often means changing ‘Kaua’i style”. I’ll be sure to have pareos and help you create a changing tent.
03
The correct undergarments can make or break some of these dresses so be sure to read the descriptions for each dress and be ready with the right undies and nipple covers for the dresses that don’t work with a bra.
I’ve even had brides get married in my gowns.
And if you want to go on a hike or get in the water but want to spare your wedding gown, mine can take the abuse!
What to wear for him
What should I wear for my Kaua’i photo session?
You’re not alone in wondering—this is one of the most common questions I get!
Don’t worry, I’ve got all the tips and advice to help you look sharp and photo-ready.
general guidelines
Think advice rather than rules
01
DRESS UP… at least a little:
I want you to feel comfortable and like YOU. But dressing up more than you normally would makes for a different feel to the experience and the portraits. Super casual attire can end up looking more like a snapshot than a portrait.
02
Think CLASSIC:
A button down and slacks or dark denim looks great on everyone and you won’t look at the picture in 20 years and think “what was I wearing?”
03
COMPLIMENT each other:
You don’t have to be all matchy matchy but think about how your colors look together and avoid clashing colors. If she is weary a busy pattern, choosing a solid helps keep them from competing and being distracting.
let’s talk color
pants or jeans
Khaki pants or light wash jeans will look a little more casual and dark pants or denim a bit more formal.
Button down shirts
All shades of whites are good choices and look good in any scenery and lighting. Shades of blues look great on the beach and give some contrast against the greenery. Navy blue can look really sharp and formal and is a great alternative to black. Bold Colors can really draw attention and show off your style and personality. Deep reds, teals and plums can all be great choices for adding some flair. Soft pastels like pinks and mint green work really well with the scenery. Shades of gray work well with gray or black pants. Black is not generally my first choice for color for the beach but having said that my couple who wear black always look really sharp If you tend to sweat heavily or will be here in the summertime a lighter colored shirt can start showing wet marks quickly so bringing several shirts to be able to change or adding a vest or jacket can help.
suits
Tan and light gray are popular choices for the beach and are cooler and have a more casual look. Shades of blue is popular and looks amazing. Dark greens are becoming more popular alternatives for a suit and look really nice. Burgundy or a funky pattern is a great way to show some personality and add more style. Classic Black is definitely a bit warm on the beach in the summer but there is no denying how sharp and formal it looks.
Things to Avoid
Stripes, super busy patterns and graphics don’t photograph well.
T-shirts, ball caps and surf shorts will make for a very informal feel.
Faded clothing can make the photographs themselves appear faded.
Clothing that is too large can make the body appear wider than it really is.
Running shoes and white socks do not photograph well.
Dressy shoes look so much better for those more formal shots.
Sandals or bare feet are perfect for the more casual looks. Especially for a wedding or elopement I strongly prefer long pants on men over shorts and it can really make a difference in a photoshoot as well.
I totally understand how comfy and cool shorts are on the beach but if she is wearing a long dress or a fancy gown shorts will look very uneven in the photos.
For a sharper more formal look than just pants and a button down, vests, jackets, dress shoes, suspenders and any type of tie are all great choices and will look amazing next to her gown!
And just like I tell my girls about how a truly epic ball gown or stunning dress with a long train is so unexpected on the beach or atop a rugged seacliff and makes for such a visually appealing image, wearing a full suit will have the same effect.
Depending on the package you choose we may be able to do a more formal look and a more casual look as well for some beachy, casual and in the water action.
hair and makeup
Having professional hair and makeup done is a great way to pamper yourself a little and enhance your experience and your portraits.
And professional hair and makeup truly does make a big difference in the photos. It is quite easy to tell in some cases when no stylist was used. For me, I am absolutely hopeless at doing my hair and makeup and when I have tried to DIY it for a photoshoot it is soooo obvious, lol. For other women they may be absolutely stellar at doing their own and it looks like a professional was hired so my advice is to know yourself and choose accordingly but do take styling seriously because it really impacts the photos you have invested in.
If a stylist is not in the budget for you, go for your special occasion or hot date look and Youtube videos can be such a blessing.
diy tips
- Be careful with mineral SUNSCREENS and shimmery highlighters as they can look white or shiny in photos
- I recommend wearing more makeup than you usually do on a day to day basis so it’s more visible in the photos
- Fake lashes look really pretty in the photos
a note on hairstyle choices
I hate to be the bearer of obvious news, but it is humid here… and a breeze on the beach is almost always the norm and straight up windy can absolutely happen.
What this means for you is that if your hair tends to be resistant to being curled or straightened, the island is literally determined to pull the curl or straightness you worked so hard for right out. You are going to want A LOT of product.
Beachy waves are always amazing but on super windy days choosing an updo, an intricate braid style, a half up, half down or even wearing a flower crown can really help with keeping the hair out of your face.
For updos or half up styles be very careful with the cute face framing tendrils because in wind and during your wedding ceremony they tend to be an endless source of annoyance and photo wrecking movement. They look so great in a magazine but they rarely behave well on the beach.
it’s all in the details
Try not to SUNBURN yourself lobster red before your session
Extensive photoshopping is not included in most packages and covering up crazy TAN LINES is much easier 🙂
Spray tans and self tanner lotions are often a bad idea so be very careful with them unless you are a magician with them.
posing for your photos
Occasionally, clients ask me how to prepare for posing or if I need a gallery of Pinterest poses, so here are my tips to make your photos look flattering, natural, and epic.
The biggest tip? Hire a photographer whose work you’re obsessed with and trust completely. As someone who’s taken hundreds of thousands of photos and spends most of my life editing my work and studying, I’ve learned it’s often the tiniest details—like a slight turn of the wrist or shift in foot placement—that turn a photo from “meh” to “wow.”
If a photographer’s portfolio doesn’t connect with you or feels stiff, sloppy, or lacking, they’re not the one for you. It’s also smart to check how they direct and interact with clients—some guide every step, others barely say a word, and some have approaches that might not vibe with you.
For me, I’m hands-on every step of the way, making sure you’re never left feeling like Ricky Bobby wondering what to do with your hands. 😊 If there’s a specific shot you want, let me know! Otherwise, I’ll gather the details during the planning process and take great care of you during your session.
Here are the best ways to help me help you during the shoot –
Take A Deep Breath And Just Relax
In my experience the fastest way to create “bad” photos is to be uptight and worried the entire time about having bad photos…
When you look upon these photos in the future you’ll likely remember how you felt the moment it was taken and if you were consumed by insecurities over how you look or stressing over the conditions and circumstances you will feel differently when you look at these photos than you do if you were absolutely lost in the moment and madly in love and had just thrown all cares and concerns to the wind and been free in that moment.
Be Yourself
Be in the moment, show each other affection, laugh out loud, get emotional, be in awe of the scenery, be excited for this day. Live like today is a gift because it is and like no one is watching because who cares what anyone thinks. Live this day fully and create memories you’ll feel over and over again when you look at these photos.
No Personal Space Allowed
Stick to your person like glue! One of the best ways to have an amazing time while taking these photos and to ensure we capture all the emotion and love and laughter and the unique little things that make you you and define your relationship is to stay all tangled up in each other 😉
Oftentimes the most magical moments happen right after I set a couple up for something and they hear the camera click and then drop their guard and just relate to each other and I keep clicking away to capture some of the best images of the day. These moments don’t happen when a couple hears the click and then immediately steps away from each other and looks at me for the next instruction… So keep your hands all over each other and get cozy!
Ready to make something EPIC happen?
As your Kaua’i Photographer!
I am here to help you make this look and feel amazing
I’ve helped hundreds of amazing couples create their epic memories of a lifetime on Kaua’i… I cannot wait for yours to be next.
@sandyswiftphotography
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Sandy Swift Photography – Kaua’i Wedding / Elopement Photographer. The perfect combination of epic scenery and epic moments on Kaua’i Hawai’i – capturing intimate, fun and landscape driven small weddings, elopements, vow renewals, couples and maternity sessions.
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