In order to think about what to wear, I needed to figure out how I wanted to be photographed. What do I want to look like? What do I want people to think when they see these photos, especially the branding photos. How will I portray my brand? What is the purpose of the other photos? Where do I want to be photographed?

Things I knew:

Eiffel Tower, on the Tracadero.

Pont Alexandre bridge in a gown and/or branding photos

Balcony – we have to get an apartment with a balcony so I can be photographed standing on the balcony from inside

Café? Could be fun, a lifestyle photo (again branding) of me dining on croissants at an outdoor café, living the life of a carefree entrepreneur, designing my next celebrity photoshoot….

At an outdoor market? Buying freshly baked bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, because doesn’t everyone in Paris shop daily for their meals… nice idea, but not in my top 3.

Reality: Where will I be changing these well thought out outfits?

Now, I can address:

Whatever will I wear? I don’t have anything to wear.

Oh no, I have to go shopping and spend more money just for a photo shoot?

Shoes! What am I going to do about shoes!

Will I look good? Does this make my arms look flabby? Do I look too short? Too square?

What do I know for sure? I have this gigantic tulle skirt that I know is going to be the centerpiece of my epic photo at the Eiffel Tower but, I had failed to consider what I was going to wear on top. Also, this is going to be an adventure to pack. (It weighs a ton.)

Next, I recruited my daughters and a friend or two to help with the decisions. I tried on what I already had in my closet that I thought would work and as Ashleigh asked, I took a photo for our shared Pinterest board. Well, you all know, it’s kind of a mistake to have someone just snap a photo of you in clothes that you are considering getting photographed in. Or worse, for me, try to take a selfie. When you are not posed and are in bare feet, you really see what you don’t like about yourself. So of course,  

I didn’t like anything!

Set off on a shopping trip -10 days before my flight (nothing like a deadline) with a plan. My goal was to find something comfortable, not much of a pattern so I am not overwhelmed by the piece. Something, maybe a jumpsuit, that will make me look long and lean. And a smart, casual dress. I had this fantasy of my being tres chic in a navy dress with small white polka dots. Well I put it out there and the universe took care of me, sort of.