Styling Advice and Tips
So you've scheduled a photoshoot... but what are you going to wear?
One of the most common questions I get asked is, "what should I wear to my photoshoot?" This can prove especially challenging if you've scheduled a family session and need to dress multiple people. It might be difficult to know what will look good on camera, or how to make outfits that go together.
Personally, I don't like fully controlling what my clients wear to their photoshoot. I feel that clients should wear their favorite outfits and colors that make them feel the best. After all, these are YOUR photos. That being said, I do have some advice and tips on how to guide you through the decision of what will look best in photos, and how to make cohesive outfits with multiple people.
Here are the dos and the don'ts of what to wear in your upcoming photoshoot.
DO
wear patterns
Stripes, florals, or plaids, are all a great way to add visual interest to your photos!
DON'T
clash too many patterns
Mixing and matching patterns is great - just be cautious of too many bold ones. If you have multiple people in the photos, try mixing in a few outfits that don't have any patterns to prevent it from becoming too overpowering.
DO
wear textures
Cable knit sweaters, ruffles, silk, suede, and other fabrics can add a lot of great detail to your photos!
DON'T
wear very small stripes
Small stripes can have a weird effect on the eyes and show through on a photograph.
DO
wear complimentary colors
Have each person wear a different color or shade from each other to help everyone stand out. Try going for a theme, like everyone wearing pastels or autumnal colors.
DON'T
overly match colors
Wearing the exact same color can make it hard for anyone to stand out and can make your photos look a bit dated.
DO
wear neutrals
Using a few neutral tones can help make sure the color palette doesn't go over the top!
DON'T
wear logos or big words
Shirts or hats with big logos, sports teams, or brand names can be distracting. Sometimes these things might be a focus of the photoshoot, and in those cases then of course please wear them!
DO
stand out from your surroundings
Wear colors that will make you pop against your backdrop. (It can also be nice to wear colors that match certain aspects of the backdrop. For example, wearing a white shirt on a sailboat.)
DON'T
blend into the backdrop.
You want to be the subject of your photos, so if you match your location too much, it might be hard to see you!
DO
wear confidence
Wear what makes you feel comfortable and the most confident!
DON'T
wear something tight or uncomfortable
If you aren't feeling good in what you're wearing physically, you'll be able to see it in your photos.
