What To Wear To A Photoshoot
Updated: May 8
A guide to choosing your best look for your photoshoot by Erin & Jake Photography.
Trying to find the right outfit for your next photoshoot?
Choosing the right photoshoot outfits can be tricky and stressful. After all, you want to wear something that best represents who you are without looking too forced or awkward. Right?
It's important to find something that showcases your personality, branding and style. Use these 10 tips to guide your inspiration.
Whether you’re updating your modeling portfolio, elevating your personal brand with professional photos or even couple or family photos, this guide will help you find versatile and stylish photoshoot outfits that work best for you.
Timeless is Forever
When deciding on what to wear to your photoshoot, choosing timeless fashion is our top recommendation. Timeless wardrobe will help your photos last longer since timeless fashion never dies.
While making a statement with an outfit can be appealing and fun, trendy fashion will be dated when it goes out of fashion. The idea behind timeless fashion is that it never goes out of style – you’ll always look great regardless of the current trends.
2. Choose a Color Palette
If you are looking for a more stylized look or cohesive looks, an easy trick is to choose a color palette and stick to it when putting your outfit(s) together.
If timeless lasts forever.... Neutrals are the most photogenic and most versatile.
Before choosing your color palette, you will want to consider the following:
- Color palette of your location background.
- Your branding.
- Current fashion color trends.
- Your most flattering colors.
- Season and weather.
- The versatility of your color palette
3. Contrast Your Background
Whether you are planning a studio photoshoot against a backdrop or a location shoot against a stunning natural landscape, you will want to contrast against your surroundings. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel – for example, orange and blue, teal and red, purple and yellow, etc.
You can use this method, for example, at a couple’s photoshoot, group photoshoots, lifestyle photoshoots. It also works to coordinate family photo outfits and even group fashion editorial portraits! Different people can wear clothes in complementary colors to each other.
For a solo portrait photoshoot, you can follow this theory to choose the different pieces of the outfit or pick the wardrobe depending on the color of the background or backdrop.
4. Accessories
Yes, please! Accessories are a great way to add detail and interest to images, all why showing off your personal style. We love a cool hat, a statement necklace, or how a great pair of earrings can make an entire portrait come to life. How a scarf and winter layers can bring all the attention to a subjects face. We are here to capture the essence of who you are, and often accessories help communicate this to the viewer!
5. Prints, Patterns & Logos?
Don’t be afraid to wear patterns or prints for your photoshoot but keep them to a minimum and try to pair them with solid neutral colors. If you’re having a family photoshoot, group shoot, business branding shoot or even a fashion shoot for example, have a few in printed items and a few in solid colors. Play with different colors to match the mood and setting of the shoot. Use neutral colors to calm a print to flow nicely into the style of your photoshoot. Always comes across as elegant and classy.
NO logos! Unless... you are modeling for a branded shoot for the specific company.
Logos and words distract from the face and purpose of the photoshoot.
6. Dress Up or Casual?
It's almost always a good idea to dress up for your professional photos. But, with the increase in popularity of relaxed lifestyle photoshoots in fashion, couple sessions, engagements, maternity and boudoir, you may want to consider the style of your photoshoot before choosing between the two. I will note, not one of our clients has ever regretted dressing up! You can always use the dress up as an excuse for a night out after your photoshoot. Most of our couples, date night after a romantic photoshoot highlighting the magic in their relationship.
7. Neutrals, Pastels & A Pop Of Color!
Earth tones and Neutrals are elegant, classy and pair well with almost anything else. From bolder color combos, patterns, accessories and style contrast.
The photograph so well because they allow for clean lines, fresh vibes, dress up a look, and drive all the attention to the face of the subjects. Notice other photoshoots you love. take notice how many of them have neutrals and pastels. I bet they all do! Never be afraid to add a pop of bold color when expressing your personal style, branding, celebration, etc.
When it comes to pastel colors, they have a high brightness value but a low saturation, meaning they contain less gray than other colors. Since pastel colors are less saturated, they are often associated with calming and peaceful vibes. Pastel colors can be easy on the eyes, and evoke feelings of calmness and nostalgia.
8. Know Where To Bend The Rules!
Where are our rule breakers at?! Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd and do something unconventional if that will make you happy, or represent your true personality, your brand the way you need.
Maybe that means a monochrome photoshoot draped in your favorite color! Or bearing it all for a nude portrait photoshoot.
Tastefully breaking the rules can add an editorial touch to your photos that make them look like they belong in a magazine. Go big, with style and taste. Don't be scared to push the boundaries; especially when promoting yourself online with professional photos.
9. Be Comfortable
Being comfortable should always be a priority. Other than getting better expressions, poses and variety during your actual photo session, you will also have a lot more fun if you are comfortable during your photoshoot. If you are comfortable, you are also able to express your authentic self. Authenticity is photoshoot gold!
10. Hire Hair & Makeup
Tie everything together with professional hair and makeup. If you are going all out on your own outfit, why not a little pamper in the name of professional photos?! Having a professional stylist come to the photoshoot will help you get a more professional looking portraits. They know how to make you look your best for a photoshoot of videoshoot.
At Erin & Jake Photography, we have a list of trusted professional Hair and Makeup Artists we work closely with and can highly recommend. You would choose your favorite and not have to search for an artist, yourself.
At the end of the day, what to wear to a photoshoot is all about who you are and how you feel. Make sure you feel confident in your outfit, because if you don’t, it will show in your images.
It’s important to go into your session feeling as stunning as you are!
<3 Erin & Jake Photography