One of the most common questions I get as a photo session approaches is “what should I wear to my photoshoot?”
I get it. With a closet full of clothes, people to coordinate with, and the constant challenge of Canadian weather, it can be pretty difficult to figure out! Clothing can set the tone of the session and is featured in all your pictures, so getting it right is can feel like challenge.
The good news is that there’s no exact formula of what you should wear. Everybody is different!
These six tips are here to help make your choice a bit easier and help you look and feel your very best.
1. Be Comfortable
I put this one first, because this is so important! Whether you are moving around outside or nestled on the couch for an in-home session, it’s hard to be your natural happy self when you’re uncomfortable.
Don’t stress about squeezing yourself into a fancy outfit or throwing heels on. If that’s your style, great! But if that’s not your style, go with something that makes you happy and comfortable. This is particularly important with kids!
Jeans are always a great option because they photograph well and can be easily dressed up with a nice top.
2. Avoid Too Much Black
While black is slimming and a common colour in many of our wardrobes, lots of dark can be overwhelming in pictures and will blend together with other black clothing.
If you feel your best in black, try and mix a black shirt with a lighter colour pair of pants (or vice versa), or make the outfit pop with a more colourful jacket or scarf.
It will make a huge difference, and bring life to your photos!
If you feel your best in black, try and mix a black shirt with a lighter colour pair of pants (or vice versa), or make the outfit pop with a more colourful jacket or scarf.
3. Choose a Palette
Everyone has his or her own style and favourite colours to wear. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about getting your partner or family to agree on one colour! I recommend choosing a couple colours that go well together to create a cohesive colour palette. This will help make your photos cohesive, and will draw focus to your smiling faces instead of the competing colours in mismatched outfits.
If you’re unsure about what looks good together, sticking to a consistently warm palette of browns, reds, oranges, yellows and pinks, or a cooler palette of greys, blues, purples, and greens, is a safe bet.
I also recommend adding in some neutrals to your colour palette to help keep everything balanced and simple.
Here are some seasonal palettes if you’re looking for some colourful inspiration!
4. Don’t be Afraid to Add Colour or Patterns
A pop of colour or pattern can make a big difference and complement the bright and joyful mood of your photos.
You don’t have to go overboard, but choosing one or two bright pops of colour paired with some tamer neutrals can look phenomenal.
This can be done with all solid coloured clothing, or pull a colour from a patterned shirt or dress for someone else to wear.
5. Stay Away from Logos and Words
The primary purpose of your wardrobe is to draw attention to you and make you feel great. Unfortunately, shirts with dominating logos or words on the chest can draw the eye to your clothing instead of your face.
To make you pop, stick to solid colours and simple patterns.
6. Show Off What You Love About Yourself
The final thing I always tell people is to highlight what you love about yourself. If you love the colour of your eyes, choose an outfit that will make your eyes pop. If there’s a part of your body you are most proud of, show it off with a pop of colour that will draw the focus in.
Showing off what you love most about yourself will help you feel radiant in front of the camera!
Conclusion
In the end, there really isn’t a wrong wardrobe choice. The primary goal is for you to be comfortable and feel your best. As long as you’re happy with how you look, your beauty will shine through your confidence and smile!
