What to Wear to Your Portrait Session
It’s almost time for your photoshoot! Now comes the part where you must decide on what you are going to wear.
Choosing what to wear can be one of the toughest things when it comes to planning your Portrait Session. We never want our clients to feel stressed about planning their portraits, so we thought to share nine tips about what to wear for your time with our team! These are portraits that you will have for the rest of your life but that doesn’t mean you need to be stressing or go out shopping for all new clothing. Here we go:
Consider solid colors
Solid colors tends to put the focus more on you than if you have patterns printed on your shirts, such as stripes or polka dots. Something to keep in mind is that darker colors tend to make one look a little slimmer while brighter colors can really make you pop. Form an editing standpoint, wearing solid colors makes it easier for me to get rid of the random stray hair that falls onto your clothing.
Keep it simple
It is very important that you are relaxed during your photo shoot. Being relaxed leads to more natural expressions and poses which make the images go from being just average to being art. Therefore, try to keep your outfits on the simpler side. The more complex the clothing and jewelry that you wear, the more likely it is that you will be uncomfortable during the photo shoot because you will be constantly trying to readjust it.
Be confident in what you wear
On a related note, try to wear clothing that you feel confident in. For example, if you have a pair of jeans that you love, see if there is a way to fit that into your ensemble. There is no need to buy new clothing just for the photo shoot. Use what you have and are comfortable wearing. This will lead to the confidence and relaxation during the photo shoot that will lead to getting amazing photos.
Make sure that your clothing fits well
Cameras tend to exaggerate details and if your clothing is too baggy or too loose, that will easily show up in photos. Therefore, just wear clothes that fit your figure the best and that will lead to you being more relaxed and confident in your photos.
Dress for the weather
Don’t torture yourself by dressing in fall clothes for a winter shoot. Of course that’s an exaggeration, but I think you get my point. Along that same thought process, make sure your outfit matches the environment. Don’t for example wear a ball gown in a fall forest environment. If we are shooting at a more rustic environment, feel free to wear more of a farming aesthetic.
Try to avoid black and white clothing
Plain Black and white clothing are nice and classy looking, but unless the fabric is nicely textured they do not look great in photos.
No hats
While hats and baseball caps can be stylish and add a personal touch to your outfit, they are generally not recommended for photoshoots. One primary reason is that hats often cast shadows on your face, obscuring your features and making it difficult for the photographer to capture clear, well-lit images. The brim of a hat can create harsh lines and uneven lighting, which can detract from the overall quality of the photos. Additionally, hats can limit the variety of poses and angles, as the photographer has to work around the headwear to get the best shot.
Another reason to avoid hats and baseball caps is that they can distract from your expression and the overall composition of the photo. Hats tend to draw attention away from your face, which is typically the focal point of a portrait. They can also create a more casual or informal look, which might not be suitable for all types of photoshoots, especially those meant to convey professionalism or elegance. By forgoing headwear, you allow the photographer to focus on your natural expressions and features, ensuring that the resulting images are both flattering and timeless.
Tips for men
A button down shirt or a polo are fantastic options for men to wear to a portrait session. Just try not to go with white. White tends to be a very business color therefore not a very easy going look.
Jeans and casual trousers are a great choice because they can go with just about anything. Jeans can look both semi-formal and casual. Khaki dress pants are a great alternative if you are afraid of looking too casual.
Tips for women
Consider Layers. Layers and different accessories can add personality to your photos. Things like scarfs, jewelry, and jackets are just a few examples that can add texture to your photos.
If you choose to wear high heels, I recommend that you only put them on when you get to location. Extra hair ties and lint rollers are also great things to have as backups.
Family portrait tips
When it comes to family portraits, its important to consider cohesiveness. Consider for example the color palette of all of your outfits. Having similar colors can really help your photos pop compared to those families that haphazardly throw on random clothing. Old Navy sometimes sells family packs of clothing for purposes such as this and might be worth checking out.