When it comes to style, Ashley is a true expert! Today she showcases very simple solutions that can inspire the everyday woman to feel her best during photo shoots. I had the honor of photographing her in some of my favorite Downtown San Diego locations and am excited for her to share why she chose these outfits and where you can find the right photoshoot outfit for you!

       Hi there! I’m so thrilled to be guest blogging for Garrett today; it was such an honor (and such a blast!) to shoot with him (and his beautiful wife) all around San Diego. The looks that I put together for this shoot were all very simple, and I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about what they would look like on camera for a few reasons!

       These outfits are all c/o Lucy Paris, which can be purchased at Bloomingdale‘s in-store and online, and revolveclothing.com. For outfits similar to these that won’t break the bank, check Forever 21, H&M, and Nordstrom! The outfits consist mostly of one semi-cropped top, and two higher-waist bottoms. Aside from those, I also chose a romper and a beautiful flowing maxi dress, both of which I knew would be great options as well. Here are some reasons for my confidence in these pieces!

       1. Crop Tops: I have a short torso and longer legs, so some outfits can make me look a little funky if I don’t accentuate the right part of my waist! The crop top I chose was on the longer side, and hit right at my natural waist; this allowed me to pair the high-waist shorts and midi-skirt with the top without getting completely swallowed by either article of clothing. It was also a huge plus that this top was great for both bottoms; this saved time and effort, and kept the outfits looking cohesive!

       2. High-Waist Bottoms: For the same reason a crop top can be flattering when styled correctly, a high-waist bottom is generally a great option as well. This piece of clothing also hits at your natural waist, which is a great feature to accentuate due to the fact of it being your tiniest area! If you are not a fan of crop tops, I suggest opting for a body-hugging top that you can tuck into whichever high-waist bottom you choose. This will give the same effect of a crop top, without the possibility of your mid-drift peeking through.

       3. Rompers: If you read my blog, Blonde Collective, then you know that I am a romper addict! With a short torso, rompers are usually the best option for me. Most of my rompers have a distinct waistline, just like the one in this post, which really helps to highlight a flattering part of my torso. Though it is faint, the romper I chose for this shoot also has a cute polka-dot pattern. In my opinion, subtle patterns usually photograph really well! Especially with our nautical background, I was really excited to wear something navy and white. It just seemed too perfect!

       4. Maxi Dress: This was a bit of a gamble for me, but it ended up being great! The pattern is bold, but stripes are ALWAYS a good idea in pictures (at least in my opinion they are!). I don’t think I’ve ever taken a photo in something striped and not liked it, so if you’re struggling with your outfits…start with something striped! Midi skirt, t-shirt, sweater…anything! Try it out, I know you’ll like it. Unlike the other outfits, this maxi dress worked for me because it didn’t have a distinct waistline. Since the seams were just under the bust, this gave the illusion of height! You would have no idea that I had a short torso based off of the look of this dress, so if you want to look slightly taller, I recommend testing out a maxi dress similar to this style. The v-neck is also flattering, and elongates the look of your neck!

       5. Heels: Of course it will always depend on your location, but if you can manage in heels, I recommend it! Of course, it is common knowledge that heels will make you look taller, but they also encourage you to maintain a better stature in photos. I always find myself holding my head a little higher when I have a good heel on, and it forces me to move around more (mostly due to my lack of balance & coordination) which creates a fluid, natural look in your photos.

•   Stick to neutrals! Black, navy, white, beige, olive green; these are my favorite colors to shoot in, and with the likelihood that you’ll be in multiple locations, these are your best bet when it comes to being cohesive with your changing surroundings.

•   Don’t wear too many accessories! You may LOVE wearing 10 bracelets at a time, but sometimes they can be distracting in a photograph. You want all eyes on you, not the little details on your wrist!

•   Keep the patterns to a minimum. Patterns can be either super flattering or a total distraction. Don’t do anything too crazy; stick to patterns with 1-3 colors tops, and make sure the design isn’t all over the place. My go-to’s are stripes, polka dots, and the occasional floral print if it’s subtle.

•   Only wear what you are comfortable in! At the end of the day, no matter what outfit you put together, if YOU don’t love it or feel good in it, it will show on your face! The most important part of a photograph is you looking like you’re enjoying yourself. Beauty comes from within, and the best accessory you can ever have is a smile. So only stick to what will make you happy!

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Thanks for reading! For more of my outfits, follow along at Blonde Collective, or find me on Instagram @ashbegash!