Best Tips for Choosing What to Wear to a Photoshoot

Do you have a photoshoot coming up, and you can’t decide what to wear? Don’t worry, we got you covered. As a photographer, I have learned how important clothing choices affect the images. Honestly, they can either make or break an image or the mood you are trying to establish.

In this article, I will help you understand how to pick out the best outfit for your specific shoot so you will love your photos for years to come.

Colors to Wear:

I love to have my clients wear earthy tones. I have a warm & light editing style and have found these tones work best to complement the client and make the photo cohesive. I ask that you stick with softer, more muted colors. You can choose warm reds, oranges, and blues, or try olive greens. My favorites are whites, creams, tans browns, and blacks! Blue jeans of any kind always look great!

Wear Neutral colors! Below are some examples of colors that photograph well. I like to edit light and warm, so the best tones are rich and earthy.

Find out what style your photographer likes to shoot and ask for a style guide. I’m sure they will give you the colors that photograph best for them and be happy you asked!

Try not to match the background. If you are in a forest of green trees, don't wear an olive top. If you are taking photos in the snow, try wearing a maroon top. You get the point. Your colors should add contrast to the image and make you the focal point. This happens by choosing your colors wisely.

Coordinate your colors. If you are doing a family shoot, make sure to choose the color scheme before picking out the outfits. You need to follow this color palette to make sure the photos look cohesive.

For couples, try sticking to a few colors that complement each other. Matching colors is a trend that can look cool if implemented purposefully. Experiment with different options to find what you love.

Type of Clothing:

When choosing the type of outfit, you want to wear, make sure it is something you feel comfortable in! Dresses add a natural element of movement to the photo and always look stunning. Jeans and pants have pockets that give an extra place to put your hands.

When choosing your outfit, pick something that matches the location & the type of photos you're looking for. The city would probably be more formal, and the beach more of a bohemian and casual style Find something that matches your own style - something you know you will love!

Layers & Textures:

Here is the fun part! Get creative with the layers and textures of your outfit. Layers add depth and help when the weather is cooler than expected. They also add variety to the photos. For example, if you wear a light jacket, you can wear it normally, hold it over your shoulder, wear it falling off your shoulders, or remove it completely.

Find something that compliments your outfit and bring it along! As for the textures, mix them as much as you want! Denim cotton, wool, velvet, and silk - these all give different looks, shine, and colors to the photo.

Keep the patterns and prints more minimal Having multiple patterns/prints can compete for attention and distract from you!

Shoes & Accessories:

Want to add a little more pop to your outfit? Consider adding a hat, piece of jewelry, hairpiece, belt, purse, or anything else that shows off your personality! Some of these things work as great props too!

When choosing your shoes, make sure they are something you will be comfortable walking in. If you love heels as much as I do, consider bringing some extra sandals to wear for the time spent walking. Have your outfit ready the day before to be prepared!

Don’t over-accessorize. Small accessories add to the beauty, but too much can draw attention away from you. Keep it simple.

Glasses are important to take into consideration beforehand. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, whether it be glasses or contacts. Non-reflective glasses are always a help!

Two Outfits for One Shoot:

If you have multiple outfits for one session, change them up! Make one more casual and the other dressier. One outfit can be jeans and a top, the other a dress and heels. This gives you variety in your photos and will give you more places to use them.

Prepare for the weather:

Every shoot is different. The weather will be different too, so it’s important to come prepared! This is another reason why layers help! You can shed a layer if it’s too hot or add one if you get cold. Preparing for the weather ensures that you will get the most out of the session and feel comfortable while doing so!

Hair, Nails, and Makeup:

The last thing you want is to love the photos but hate how you look. Make sure to dress your best, not only in your clothing but in your cosmetics!

Depending on your budget, you can hire professionals to help you with these things. But if you take them on yourself, here are a few tips to help. Keep your hair off your face. You want your face to be the focus of the photo. As for nails, don’t get cheap press-on. These tend to fall off easily, and you don’t want to worry about them the whole shoot. Try buying ones with stronger glue or just go for gels or acrylics. Wear your makeup according to your style. If you want barely-there, then do it accordingly. I like to use a little extra, with some fake lashes to make my eyes pop.

My personal favorite outfits:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE outfits made of white, cream, tan, and black. These neutral colors look beautiful with every location and background. If you are looking to buy an outfit, look for these colors!

No matter what you decide to wear, make sure it’s something you love! Be sure to check out my Instagram page for more outfit inspiration.