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Hi everyone! After "Where should we shoot?", the next question I hear is "What should I wear?" Clothing can change the whole feel of your photos, so here's my simple guide to looking and feeling your best in front of the camera.

1. Start with how you want to feel

Before you open your closet, think about the mood. Relaxed and outdoorsy? Polished and classic? Fun and colorful? Your outfit should look like you on your best day, not like a costume. If you feel comfortable, it shows in your face, and that's what makes a great portrait.

2. Pick colors that work with the location

Here in the Black Hills, we're often surrounded by deep green pines, gray and tan rock, and blue sky.

Earth tones and soft neutrals like cream, rust, olive, mustard, denim and warm brown look beautiful in Spearfish Canyon, especially in fall.
Rich jewel tones like burgundy, emerald and navy pop against snow or stone.
Bright colors and bold patterns can be great against simple backgrounds such as Rapid City's brick buildings, but they can fight with busy murals like Art Alley.
Be careful with neon and very bright pure white in direct sun. They can reflect color onto your skin or lose detail.

3. Solids and textures beat logos and busy patterns

Big logos, graphic tees and tiny tight patterns pull attention away from your face. Texture is your friend instead: knits, flannel, denim, linen, lace and suede add depth without distracting.

4. Coordinating a family or group

Please don't all match! Choose a palette of three or four colors that go together and mix them up, using one or two patterns at most. A handy trick is to dress the person who's hardest to shop for first (often a kiddo or a teenager), then build everyone else's outfit around them. Lay all the outfits out together on the bed and snap a phone photo. If anything jumps out, swap it.

5. Fit matters more than brand

Clothes that fit well always photograph better. Too-big clothes look boxy and too-tight clothes pull. Iron or steam everything the night before, since wrinkles show up more than you'd expect.

6. Dress for the weather (and the walk!)

Black Hills weather can change fast, and the canyon is usually cooler than town. Layers like a jacket, cardigan, scarf or hat give you comfort and also variety in your photos. If we're hiking to a waterfall, wear sneakers or boots and bring your "photo shoes" in a bag.

7. Bring options

I always recommend bringing a second outfit, maybe one casual and one dressier. Swapping a jacket or adding a hat can give you a whole new look in two minutes.

8. Little details

Hair and makeup: Do what you normally do, maybe a touch more. Matte foundation helps with shine.
Nails, glasses, jewelry: Clean, simple and personal. Meaningful pieces like a ring or a grandparent's watch make lovely details.
Bring a lint roller, water, bobby pins and a snack for little ones.

9. Seniors, couples and boudoir

Seniors: Bring something that shows what you love, like your letter jacket, your instrument or your rodeo gear.
Couples: Coordinate with each other, but don't match exactly. Make sure you're both equally dressed up or equally casual.
Boudoir: We'll talk through outfits ahead of time. Pieces that make you feel confident are always the right choice, and an oversized sweater or button-down can look amazing.

Still unsure? Send me photos of a few outfit options before your session and I'm happy to help you choose. That's part of the collaboration I love!

Ready to book? Portrait sessions start at $200, and every client gets an online gallery to share, download and order prints. Contact me here or email The50mm@hotmail.com.

Hi everyone! One of my favorite questions from clients is "Where should we shoot?" We're lucky in the Black Hills. Within an hour or so of Spearfish you can find waterfalls, granite spires, old Western streets and wide-open prairie. Here are the spots I keep coming back to, and what each one does best.

1. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (US-14A)

The canyon runs about 20 miles from Spearfish toward Cheyenne Crossing, between tall limestone walls with Spearfish Creek running alongside. It's beautiful year-round. Fall is my favorite, when the aspens and birch turn gold against the dark pines. The walls also give you soft, even light for much of the day, which is great for portraits.

Bridal Veil Falls: A short stop right off the byway, so it's easy for families, grandparents and little ones. The falls make a lovely background without any hiking.
Roughlock Falls: Up Little Spearfish Canyon near Savoy. The falls tumble over layered rock, and there are boardwalks and overlooks. This is a great pick for couples and seniors who want something that feels a little more "wild."
Spearfish Falls: Also near Savoy, at the bottom of a short but steep trail. It's worth the walk if you're up for it, so wear good shoes and bring your outfit in a bag!

2. Spearfish itself

You don't have to leave town for great photos. Spearfish City Park and the creek path have big trees, moving water and green grass in summer. Downtown Spearfish has brick storefronts that work well for a more urban, casual look. Lookout Mountain gives you a view over the whole valley if you're up for a hike.

3. Historic Deadwood

Most days, you can find me in Deadwood. Main Street is a National Historic Landmark district, full of brick buildings and old-West character. It's perfect for moody, editorial portraits and fun couples sessions. Mount Moriah Cemetery, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried, sits on the hill above town and has sweeping views of the gulch.

4. Sylvan Lake and the Needles Highway (Custer State Park)

Sylvan Lake is one of the most photographed places in the Black Hills, with granite boulders rising out of calm water. The nearby Needles Highway adds tall granite spires and the famous narrow tunnels. Heads up: Custer State Park requires a park entrance license, and summer gets busy, so early mornings are best.

5. Rapid City

For a city look, downtown Rapid City has Main Street Square and the colorful murals of Art Alley, which are great for bold, playful portraits (the art changes all the time!). Dinosaur Park on Skyline Drive has big views over the city and, yes, giant concrete dinosaurs. It's a hit with kids.

6. Out toward Sturgis and Bear Butte

If you love open prairie and big skies, the country around Sturgis is beautiful at golden hour, and Bear Butte rises right out of the plains. Please remember that Bear Butte is a sacred site for many Native American nations, so we'd photograph it respectfully from a distance and not as a backdrop prop on the mountain itself.

A few tips for location shoots

Timing: The hour or so after sunrise and before sunset gives the softest, warmest light. In the canyon, the walls cast shade early, so we plan around that.
Seasons: Spring brings green and full waterfalls, summer has long evenings, fall has the canyon colors, and winter turns the falls icy and the pines snowy.
Permits and crowds: Some parks and public lands have fees or permit rules for photography. I'll help us figure out what's needed. Weekdays are always quieter.
Comfort: Bring water, layers and comfortable shoes for walking between spots. You can change into nicer shoes for the photos themselves.

Not sure which spot fits you? Tell me about your style, who's coming, and how much walking you're up for, and I'll suggest a location or two. Then we'll make something Tailored and Memorable together.

Ready to book? Local portrait sessions start at $200. Contact me here or email The50mm@hotmail.com.

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What to Wear to Your Portrait Session

Best Portrait Spots in Spearfish Canyon and the Black Hills