So you’ve booked a photoshoot – well done, that takes some courage. First hurdle navigated safely. Now there are plenty of things to put in place and organise, but the first question that often arises is… “What am I going to wear?”
It’s a significant consideration. Clothing is very important to us and how we express ourselves. It’s tied into our identity, status, belonging, hiding, flamboyance, and a myriad of other constructs we’ve built throughout our lives.
To help you navigate this part of the photoshoot process, here are our 7 tips on what to wear to a photo shoot. The first two are over-arching, all-encompassing fundamentals, whilst the next five are sort of caveats to those first two.
1. Be yourself
It seems simple, but there are so many images out there in the world telling us how we need to look, that we often forget this fundamental fact. A photoshoot is an opportunity to show yourself to the world, so make sure it’s you and not some idealised version influenced from outside yourself. What you wear is your expression and nobody else’s. Own it.
2. wear something you love
Wear something you love. Again this is simple, but it really helps you on shoot day. We all have some favourite outfits that feel awesome and that we look great in. This is what you should wear to the photo shoot.
3. Keep it simple
Strong patterns, colours, and text can be very distracting in a photo. If you wear a bright yellow jacket to the shoot, it will be hard to look past this and see you. Whilst honouring the first 2 tips on this list, we recommend neutral colours, no crazy patterns, no writing or big logos and simple clothing. Remember the portrait is about you, not your clothes. What you wear should support you, not take over.
4. Be mindful of colours
Looking at a portrait, our eyes will go to the lightest part first. For this reason, darker clothing can often work best since your face will be the lightest part. Now, this tip can be and is often not followed. Light clothing can be fresh and be perfect for a shoot too. So it’s not a hard and fast rule, but it is a great general principle to ensure your portrait really sings.
5. Take multiple outfits to the shoot
I love it when people turn up with heaps of different clothing options. It allows us to decide together what might be the best outfit for the day. It also means you can change into something different and get better value from the shoot. Bring as many outfits and changes as you feel to – don’t hold back here. Definitely a good idea for a business shoot – so you can mix it up and get the best mileage from the shoot for your business.
A bonus tip here – you don’t need to match others clothing in the shoot if there is a group or family shot. Think more along the lines of complimenting one another. That said, a family shoot all in matching tracksuits would be so nerdy cool.
6. Don’t expose too much skin
This ties into point #4. The skin can be very distracting and take away from your face, which is what the portrait is all about. Shorts for guys should definitively be avoided. Short sleeves or even exposing shoulders can be avoided for women. If you’re wearing a strapless or even thin strap top and we shoot a close up portrait, it can appear that you are not wearing anything at all. Unless it’s a shoot where that’s what you’re going for, cover-up as a general rule.
7. Consider your hair
Hair is a factor to consider and most of us will have very particular preferences and styles. I will say 2 things about this. Firstly, follow # 1&2 on this list. It has to be you and ideally a do that you love. Secondly, when having a closer portrait and particularly a corporate headshot, consider having your hair pulled back. Time and time again I have done headshots which always look better when the hair is not getting in the way. It helps accentuate jawlines and shows the décolletage. It just helps to show more of you.
BONUS TIP
Follow any impulse you might have when picking your clothes.
Often I have people arrive for a shoot and tell me “I was going to bring a particular item but decided not to, now I wish I had.” Be open to what feels right on the day and don’t overthink it. Trust your impulse, more often than not it will be spot on the money.
If you have any comments on this article or want to share your own experiences and tips about what to wear to a photoshoot, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.
