Photo shoots in retro style are incredibly popular today, and this is not surprising, because the exciting era of the 20th century still excites the imagination with its elegance, sophistication, standards of beauty and luxury. Surely every girl dreams of imagining herself in the image of a sophisticated lady of the 20s or 50s. In our article we will tell you in more detail about what the Retro style is and how to take beautiful photos.
So, retro is an abstract concept that combines various trends of the 20th century, from the 20s to the 80s. Such a wide time period allows you to choose the era that is most suitable in nature. A retro style photo shoot is a great idea for those who love musicals, jazz, legendary actors and actresses, as well as the unusual and adventurous spirit of the time.
The highlight of the photographs is the play with light and shadows, allowing you to convey the smallest details. Black and white and sepia images are especially popular because they have a stunning vintage feel.
To create a luxurious look for a photo shoot in retro style, you need to think through and recreate the style as much as possible, choose the right wardrobe and attributes for the shoot. It is equally important to feel the atmosphere of the era and convey it as much as possible, using facial expressions, poses, and demeanor.
Retro Photo Ideas: 20s
One of the favorite images of modern girls, mysterious and filled with special energy. The ideal of the 20s is a slender brunette with short wavy hair in a slightly tight dress with a low waist and a revealing cutout at the back.
For many, the 20s are associated with the famous Coco Chanel, who revolutionized the fashion of that time. As a wardrobe for a retro style photo shoot, you can use a men's cut trouser suit, a white shirt, a hat with a veil, a pencil skirt, etc. Props can be a fan, a string of pearls, a fluffy boa, a cigarette holder, a cloche hat, or dark lipstick.
Which genre and time period to choose
In order for photo shoots in retro style to perfectly convey the atmosphere, it is important to experience each of the eras. Then, there will be no problems with choosing a genre.
Photo in the style of the 20s
Portraits of the 20s demonstrate that women looked sexy, luxurious and with a touch of shocking, so to embody the female look of the 20s you need to choose: feathers, fur, a hair band, a long cigarette holder and low-heeled shoes.
The fashion of men in the 20s was strict and impressive, so to embody the look you will need: a classic trouser suit in small checks, a hat with a small brim, a tie, a white shirt and a pocket watch on a chain.
Children's fashion of the 20s was characterized by comfort and severity. Boys and girls wore classic boots, jackets and hats. Boys wore suspenders with a gingham shirt and cloth overalls.
Note! The severity of the image is a distinctive feature of the fashion of the 20s. Poses in those years were thoughtful and strict, so free and lively photographs in a modern manner should not be allowed.
Chicago style photo
To understand the Chicago style, you need to remember ancient cabarets, where girls in bright dresses, feathers and small beads danced the famous cancan. Men drank whiskey in company, smoked cigars and wore trousers with suspenders.
Chicago style is energy, drive and luxury. Couples in love like to do similar photo shoots, where they successfully beat a pair of passionate robbers. Also, children fit in well with this style of retro photography.
Family photo shoot in Chicago style
Photos from the 50s
Women in the 50s completely moved away from bright and frilly images, switching to more strict, restrained and elegant outfits. Since feminism began to flourish during these years, women began to afford trouser suits, however, the most popular outfit was the tweed suit, consisting of a below-the-knee skirt and jacket.
In the 50s, men gradually began to move away from formal suits and opt for more comfortable clothes. For example, for active recreation, men began to dress in knitted or woolen sweaters.
Note! Children's outfits have become simpler and more comfortable. Children began to wear looser clothes, however, they did not completely move away from the strict style.
Family photography in the style of the 50s looks strict and harmonious, which is why they are in high demand among modern families. In those years, people began to pose and dress more freely, so live photographs and relaxed poses were allowed.
Photos from the 80s
During the Soviet era, the style became even more comfortable and casual. Women began to wear more revealing and colorful clothes, and men moved away from formal suits and opted for jeans. The squeak of fashion is voluminous hairstyles, comfort and brightness.
Note! Posing in those years became completely free, with the exception of official photo sessions, for example, of government officials.
USSR fashion in the 80s
Photo shoot in the style of “Hipsters”: 40s
This trend appeared in the USSR in the 40s, when, contrary to generally accepted standards, young people tried to stand out from the gray crowd. To do this, she dressed in everything bright and catchy, listened to forbidden music and had a blast. How to make a retro photo in the style of “Hipsters”?
A bright and colorful wardrobe, catchy accessories, unusual hairstyles, as well as open and free poses will allow you to recreate a unique atmosphere. There can be many ideas for a photo shoot. You can shoot in retro style on the street, on the dance floor, near colorful buildings. Vivid images and emotions will allow you to fully convey the fiery mood of the era of dudes.
Ideas for a photo shoot in retro style: 50s
The ideal of the 50s is radically different from the image of the 20s. Now the model of beauty is a blonde with scarlet lips, big eyes, fluffy eyelashes and measurements 90-60-90. We bet you immediately remembered Marilyn Monroe, didn't you? Girls of the 50s are characterized by sophistication, sexuality, femininity and a kind of naivety.
To create an image for a photo shoot in retro style, fitted dresses with wide belts, godet skirts, wide-brimmed hats, gloves, small bags, scarves, glasses, etc. are suitable. The designs of the clothes are in bright sunny colors with simple designs like polka dots, squares, flowers etc.
The image of girls at this time was actively used on the covers of magazines and posters. It was this era (although the phenomenon itself appeared much earlier) that gave us such a trend as Pin up (from English to pin up - to pin, that is, a poster pinned to the wall).
Characteristic features of retro style in clothing
20-30s
These years were marked by the flowering of chic and sophistication, against the backdrop of emancipation and protest against male dominance in the world.
- dresses with an open back and low waist; vests, raincoats; - pleated frills; — fabrics: chiffon, satin, velvet; — colors: rich and deep black, gray, pale pink; — accessories: boas, long beads, cloche hats, fishnet stockings; - shoes: pumps, shoes with an ankle strap.
40-50s
Wartime also affected fashion. Relaxation, chic, and elegance were replaced by modesty, simplicity and severity. Deep necklines and bright colors are a thing of the past, leaving room for closed outfits, knee-length skirts, collared turtlenecks, comfortable and comfortable shoes.
After the end of the war, women who missed beautiful clothes gladly gave preference to such outfits as:
- dresses with a wide skirt with a pronounced waist; - full skirts with an expressive high waist; - neckline; — accessories: bright lacquer belts, fur and guipure capes, long gloves, miniature velvet handbags, pearl jewelry; — makeup: bright scarlet lips; eyes lined with black eyeliner.
60-70s
This period is called another Renaissance era. During these years, clothing shows a return to calm, everyday life. Bright prints and colors are in fashion: polka dots, geometric, floral, etc. And the images become more open and sexy:
— miniskirts, Bermuda shorts; — bell dresses with a marked waist and ¾ sleeves; — high-waisted trousers; - blouses and blouses with bows and high collars, sparkles; — leather biker jackets with fringes; — accessories and shoes: shoes with light cork platforms and high heels; headscarves, large glasses;
In the 70s styles such as “Hippie” and “Disco” flourished. Loose skirts, blouses, long dresses, bright headbands, accessories with ethnic elements, bright fluffy dresses, etc. came into fashion.
Retro photo shoot in Hippie style: 60s
Simple and comfortable clothes with unusual ethnic patterns, jeans, massive accessories and voluminous jewelry - all this is inherent in the Hippie style, which is loved by many. By the way, even today the movement does not lose its popularity. Firstly, the concept of culture is close to many people. Secondly, it is in this style that many see freedom from the shackles of social standards.
How to take a photo in retro style? Choose a matching unisex wardrobe and matching accessories. A guitar, a small van, wreaths of wild flowers, Holi colors, etc. can create an ambience. It is recommended to conduct a photo shoot outdoors, for example in a forest, park or while traveling.
Afterlight
The Afterlight program itself is paid, it costs about $1. But the application has free abrasions, noise and glare. If you want to edit photos in this style and add unusual accents to your photos, you can purchase it.
Effects can be found by tapping on the square with stripes.
Photo in the style of “Hot Disco”: 80s
Extravagant style that will allow you to create unforgettable images. The main idea of a retro photo shoot is to show all the originality and brightness of a person. The main attributes are colorful leggings, sportswear, stretch jeans, glasses with colored frames, and shiny jewelry.
The style can combine incongruous things, the main thing is that everything is bright and catchy. The shooting can be done in the gym, at a disco, or outdoors. We shouldn’t forget the mood that the photo should convey: impudent, slightly eccentric, mischievous.
A photo shoot in Retro style and the creation of images should be taken seriously and prepared in advance. It is necessary to think through every detail, from wardrobe and props to equipment. Instax instant cameras will allow you to convey the atmosphere of the chosen era as much as possible, with which you can create cozy and “lamp” photo cards. Such pictures can charge you with a special mood. Find out more about how to take retro photos using instant cameras on our blog.
