What to Wear to Your Photoshoot
Knowing what to wear on a day-to-day basis is hard enough, knowing what to wear to your portrait photography session is a whole new level of worry. Don’t worry, I’ve pulled together this handy guide to help you plan photoshoot outfit choices that will have you feeling and looking your best. So, pull out your favourite looks because you might not need a whole new wardrobe. Let’s get started…
Avoid logos and stipes.
This is the classic tip and it’s always served me well. Unless a logo on your outfit is important to your images, they’re best avoided. Logos are designed to be eye-catching and you don’t want anything that might distract the eye from you. Stripes are best avoided but not necessarily a no-go pattern. If you love stripes in your outfits, large, bold striped patterns always work best.
2. Look at what you’ve already got.
Yes, you read it right. Rushing out and buying something new is not always the best choice. Fact is, you already have at least a couple of looks that you love to wear, you know how comfortable they are, and how they can be accessorised and you’ve probably seen photos or selfies of yourself in those clothes and know they look good. It’s also awesome for the environment and that’s never a bad thing.
3. Comfort is everything
For lots of us (myself included) having professional photographs taken can be daunting. There’s a lot to think about before and during your shoot. The last thing you need is to find yourself in a garment that makes you itchy, or one that means you’re very self-aware or have to constantly adjust. Whatever you wear, it needs to be comfortable enough so that you can forget about your outfit and have the confidence to focus on the moment with your photographer
4. Structured shapes are super-flattering.
This advice is not body-shape or size-dependent. Having a more structured element to your outfit will always help you appear your best on camera. Often, billowing fabrics can catch in the wind and distort your body shape. So, if you have a loose-fitting element in your look, like a loose shirt or a boho maxi skirt, include something more defining like a well-cut pair of jeans or a form-fitting top. It really helps to define you and create stand-out shots that you will love.
4.Opt for classic colours
There is always flexibility in your colour choices for a photography session. Bold and strong colour can work really well for lots of people if they feel great in it. But, if you’re unsure of what to choose then classic colours are always the way to go. Rather than stick to classic black and white, which can be dominating in shots, think about neutrals like khaki, nude tones, or navy. All these colours suit most skin tones and can easily be tweaked in the editing process to create something subtle and striking. Choosing more classic shades over bold, trendy hues will also mean that your images will serve you for longer and enable you to make the most of your investment. Remember, you can always include pops of colour with accessories. If you’re planning for a couples shoot, look at harmonising your colours rather than matching them exactly, Ellie and Josh nailed their colours for their springtime engagement session
5. Add detail on collars and sleeves
This is my favourite tip because it really encourages creativity in our photoshoot together. Necklines, hands and wrists appear in most shots, even tighter headshots look fantastic if I pose you with a hand moved towards the face or to the neckline. When planning your portrait session clothing, consider how you can add detail to these areas to add a little something extra. It doesn’t have to tricky; well-chosen jewellery, a collar or a scarf are great ways to supercharge your neck. And for wrists? Think sleeves with buttons, textured fabrics or even layered garments to create wow factor.
6. Hats and accessories
This is a sneaky hint for anyone who books a Mini Portrait Session. This package is just 45 mins and designed to optimise your time with only one outfit included. Yet adding a hat or a coat to your photography session outfit means you can easily create some variety in your shots with the same outfit with no wasted time changing. Top tip -Hats with shallow brims tend to work best as they don’t shadow your face too much.
