"What Should I Wear to a Photoshoot?" A Guide to Picking the Perfect Outfit.
- Carly Thompson
- Mar 8, 2024
- 4 min read
Deciding what to wear for a photoshoot can be one of the most stressful parts of the planning process. Don't worry, I'm here to help. I would love to share some of my favorite tips for picking the perfect outfit for our next session!
These are definitely not hard and fast rules for what you should and shouldn't wear. I want you to dress in whatever makes you feel like your most authentic self, and whatever makes you the happiest! However, if you want your photos to feel timeless and beautiful years and years from now, this guide will help you reach that goal!
Colors:
When it comes to photography, color is one of the most important aspects. Changing the colors found in the scenery, the lighting, and the outfit you're wearing can affect the mood and feeling that each photo conveys. Choosing the wrong outfit colors can distract from you and everyone else in the photo, and clash with your environment. I always tell people to avoid bright, neon, and bold colors. I always recommend muted colors and earth tones. These kinds of colors work especially well for sessions in more natural environments and help you fit in with your scenery.
Patterns:
For a photoshoot, I would always choose an outfit with solid colors over patterns. If you want something that stands out a little more, I would suggest opting for a fun, interesting texture over a loud pattern. Just like a bright color, a complicated pattern can distract from the subject and clash with the scenery. If you're posing with others, like family or friends, a good rule of thumb is to make sure only one person in the photo is wearing a pattern. The other people involved in the photoshoot can build their outfits around the colors in the pattern to help you look great together as a couple or group!
Fit:
When it comes to fit, the most important element is that you're comfortable! If you're considering a dress or skirt, I would always go flowy over fitted. The more movement the better; especially in a beach environment!
When considering more masculine clothing, a good fit is super important. Too tight and your discomfort will be evident in the photos, too loose and you may end up looking too casual and unkempt. I would also avoid polo shirts and fishing shirts. More often than not, they can make you look too casual next to others in the photo. I would usually recommend a nice button down, sweater, or henley shirt; depending on your personal style. Like I said in the beginning, being yourself is the most important!
Details:
It's all in the details! I am a firm believer that the smallest details can make or break a photo. From a person walking by in the background, to a hair tie accidentally left on your wrist; seeing something out of place can be so distracting and frustrating as a photographer and a client. And, of course, I can edit some things out, but your photos will get back to you so much quicker if we avoid that being a necessity!
When I discuss details of an outfit for a photoshoot, one of the easiest forgotten things is bulky items in pockets! This can also be one of the hardest things to edit out. You might think your keys or wallet won't be visible in the photos, but it's always better to be safe than sorry! Have someone bring a bag that we can set to the side with all of your valuables and things that you may have forgotten were in your pockets.
Another big pet peeve for me when looking at professional photos is seeing an Apple Watch or Fitbit on someone's wrist. If you are going for timeless photos, this is a good way to quickly date them. One day, we'll most likely look back and it will be just like the photos of our parents with their pagers and flip phones on their belts. I always recommend taking anything off of your wrists that you didn't purposefully put on for the photoshoot. This includes smart watches, hair ties, rubber bracelets, and anything else that might not match the vibe you're going for!
One question I get a lot, is if sunglasses and casual hats need to be removed for photos. Ironically, mostly from groomsmen at weddings. My answer is always yes. I understand many people feel most comfortable wearing a hat (and the sun can be harsh during golden hour), but I promise, you look much better next to your partner without things covering your face and casting shadows. You can also end up looking way too casual; especially when they're wearing a dress!
Last, but not least, shoes! I've had so many people, especially at beach photo sessions, ask if I can crop out their shoes because they wore their beach shoes. I totally understand not wanting to ruin your favorite shoes with sand and water. So, I always recommend wearing shoes that you don't mind being photographed, and taking them off once we get to the sand. Your shoes won't be in every photo, but wanting them to be left out of every photo really limits how creative we can get and the number of photos that will be in your gallery.
All of this being said, if you ever have any questions about what you should wear to a photo session, please don't hesitate to ask me! I would love to help you style yourself, your family, or whoever else you want to make memories with. You can also leave comments on this blog post. I would love to hear from you!
Comments