What to Wear to a Photo Shoot — Tips From a Photographer
It’s the question every photographer loves to hear: “What do I wear to my photo shoot?” Whether you’ve hired me for a family photo session here in the beautiful Sullivan County Catskills, I’m taking engagement photos for you and your special someone, we’re planning for your corporate headshots, or you’ve set up a senior portrait photo session, it might surprise you to hear that the best photo shoot outfit is likely going to look pretty similar.
Read on for tips on the best colors to wear, colors you should avoid and other common questions about your photo session clothing.
What Should I Wear to a Photo Shoot?
First thing’s first, I tell every client that they need to wear clothing that will be comfortable. It may seem overly simplistic, but think about what happens when you’re wearing clothes that are too tight, itchy, or just plain not comfy. Now think about trying to smile and move around in those clothes. It doesn’t sound terribly pleasant, does it?
If you’re not comfortable in your outfit, it’s going to show in your photos. You’ll look, well, uncomfortable.
Most clients are not professional models, and your family photo session, senior portraits, or engagement photos might just be the first time you’ve ever had your photo taken by a professional or maybe it’s one of the few times you’ve been in front of a professional’s camera. That’s stressful enough for the average person, and my goal is to take that stress away (or reduce it as much as I can). We’re going to have fun together. We’re going to chat and laugh, and we’re going to move around (at least a little bit). Keep that in mind when you choose your clothing.
Think about the mood you want to be in on the day of your photo shoot, and choose outfits that make you feel that way.
Whether we’re heading out into the woods for photos or sticking close to home, the most important thing is to always wear clothing that is:
Weather-appropriate
Appropriate for the terrain (e.g. no high heels if you have chosen a location out in the woods or shoes you worry will be ruined if we’re heading out into a cow field)
Going to allow you to move around
Do you have children who will be photographed during the session? Make sure their outfits are comfortable too, and it’s best to bring a spare for young children who may spit up or get dirty quickly. Don’t worry; you’ll have time to pop them into a new outfit!
What Is the Best Color to Wear to a Photo Shoot?
So I can just wear any outfit I feel comfortable wearing? Not so fast! There are “best colors” to wear to a photo shoot, whether it’s a professional headshot or a lifestyle session with your family.
- Solid colors are best for any photo shoot outfit. Not only do the minimize distractions, keeping the focus on you, they can easily be paired with different backgrounds and settings without clashing.
- Neutral colors allow you to shine instead of your clothing! Earthy tones and muted gem tones typically complement a variety of skin tones, enhancing your natural look.
- Muted blues and greens tend to be universally flattering as they often complement a wide range of skin tones. These colors are also evoke a natural, calming vibe.
- If you can’t find anything solid, low contrast pieces (where the colors are similar in tone) will give you a soft, cohesive look. By minimizing the business of the outfit, your photo session outfit will minimizes harsh lines and color blocks.
- Colors that complement those of anyone else in the photos (but don’t match exactly)
Outfit Colors Not to Wear in Photos
Along with “best” options, there are also some big outfit “don’ts” to avoid when you’re planning to meet up for our photo shoot, and outfit color falls on the list. It’s always OK to send me a few photos to ask if the outfit will work, but to help you choose, I suggest that you keep the following to a minimum in your clothing:
- Bright red — although it can be pretty, bright red tends to create a color cast on the skin
- Bright blue — especially if we’re doing an outdoor session, it will stand out in stark contrast to your surroundings
- Super bright colors and neons
- All black
- All white
Although it’s not a color, anything with busy prints and patterns that will dominate the photo should also be skipped! You’ll also want to steer clear of shiny fabrics.
An easy rule to follow: Less is more. Your photos are about you, not your outfit.
Can I Wear White to a Photo Shoot?
Are you wondering why I advise against wearing white to your photo shoot?
Although it is neutral, bright white tends to distract the eye from the subject, overpowering the photo. White clothing can also reflect onto the skin.
If you do choose to wear white, avoid pairing it with stark black, and consider layering it with a neutral.
Should Everyone Match in My Photos?
Believe it or not, I advise against dressing the entire family up in the same blue jeans and white shirts or plaid button downs. Not only can this end up making your photos look dated when a particular matchy matchy trend dies down, but the matching look doesn’t allow for family members to wear the colors that flatter them most!
Are you a winter? A summer? A spring? Everyone in your family may sync up, and different shades of the same color will make for a beautiful family photo.
Does everyone in your photo look best in a totally different color? That’s OK too!
In that case, look to different colors that are flattering but complementary. Complementary colors are those that sit directly across one another on a color wheel. For example, as you see in the color wheel below, red and green lie directly across from one another. A rich maroon would work well with an earthy green.
Can I Wear My Glasses to My Photo Session?
If you’re a glasses wearer, you’ve probably got more than a few photos of yourself where your eyes are hard to see because of the glare of a flash in the glass. Often clients will ask if they have to take their glasses off before I take their photo, and my answer is simply “only if you want to.”
I recognize that glasses are often tied closely to your identity. Your family and friends may not even recognize you without them on.
Because of this I’ve perfected my use of lighting over the years to ensure that I can capture an image that avoids the glare and allows you to look like you.
If you would like to go glasses free for a headshot or other photo session, that’s A-OK. If that’s your plan, try to go glasses-free for several hours before your session. This will allow time for the “dents” that glasses wearers often experience in the soft tissue of the nose to disappear so they won’t show up in your photo.
Outfit Questions?
When in doubt, send me an email or text, and we can talk through your outfit options to find the perfect clothing to wear to your photo shoot!
