What you wear can make a big difference in how your photos feel.
The location, lighting, and overall style of the session will help guide some of the wardrobe choices, but the most important thing is that your clothing feels like you. The goal is not to dress like someone else or copy an exact photo from Pinterest. The goal is to choose outfits that fit your personality, photograph well, and help create the kind of images you want. A little planning goes a long way.
When wardrobe is left until the last minute, it usually adds stress to the day. When you take time to think through your outfits, colors, accessories, and overall style, the session feels more relaxed and the final images usually feel more intentional.
You do not have to figure it all out alone. If you are unsure what colors, outfits, or accessories would work best, we can talk through options based on your location and the look you want for your session.
Start with the feeling you want
Before choosing an outfit, think about how you want the photos to feel. Do you want something soft and romantic? Clean and timeless? Bold and editorial? Relaxed and casual? More dramatic and cinematic? Your wardrobe should support that feeling.
For example, a couple’s session at the beach does not always have to mean light colors and casual outfits. A black suit and black dress by the water can create something more dramatic, stylized, and almost cinematic. A portrait session in a downtown setting might call for a structured jacket, dress, or suit. A session in a field or park may feel better with softer fabrics, movement, and more relaxed styling.
The location matters, but the vision matters just as much.
Choose clothing that photographs well
As a general rule, solid colors tend to photograph best. They keep the attention on your face, expression, and connection instead of pulling the eye toward busy patterns.
That does not mean patterns are always wrong. A subtle pattern, texture, or print can work well when it fits the style of the session. The key is balance. If one person is wearing something with more detail, the other person may want to keep their outfit simpler.
Try to avoid clothing with large logos, loud graphics, or very busy patterns unless they are part of a specific creative idea. These details can date the image quickly and distract from the overall feel.
Fit also matters. Clothing that is too loose can hide your shape and make the body look wider than it is. Clothing that is too tight can feel uncomfortable and show every small adjustment. The best option is usually something that fits well, allows you to move, and makes you feel confident.
Think about colors
color can completely change the mood of a photo
Neutral colors like black, white, cream, beige, gray, denim, and earth tones tend to feel timeless and easy to coordinate. Darker colors can add depth, contrast, and a more polished feel. Lighter colors can feel soft, clean, and romantic. Rich colors like burgundy, navy, forest green, rust, or deep brown can photograph beautifully, especially in the right location.
For couples and engagement sessions, your outfits do not need to match exactly. In fact, it usually looks better when they coordinate instead of matching. Think of your outfits as working together in the same color family or overall mood.
For portraits, color should complement your skin tone, the location, and the way you want to present yourself. If these photos are for your home, business, website, or personal brand, it may also help to think about where the final images will be used.
bring more than one outfit
In general, bringing two to three outfit options is a good idea.
This gives us room to create variety without overcomplicating the session. You might bring one outfit that feels more elevated and another that feels more relaxed. For couples or engagement sessions, one look can be dressier and more polished, while the second can feel more casual and personal.
For portraits, this could mean one outfit that feels professional and another that feels more expressive or creative.
We may not use every single option, but having choices helps us make the best decision based on the location, light, and overall direction of the shoot.
don't forget the shoes
Shoes matter more than people think,
They do not have to be overly formal, but they should make sense with the outfit and location. Boots, heels, dress shoes, sandals, or even bare feet can all work depending on the setting and style of the session.
Try to avoid running shoes, bright white socks, or heavy footwear unless they are part of the look. Shoes can either complete the outfit or quietly distract from it.
Also, consider the location. If we are walking through grass, sand, downtown streets, or uneven ground, bring shoes that look good but still allow you to move comfortably.
Hair, Makeup, and Skin Prep
You do not need professional hair and makeup for every session
The goal is not to look like a different person. The goal is to look like a polished version of yourself.
If you prefer a natural look, that works beautifully. A little attention to skin, eyes, brows, and lips can help bring definition without feeling heavy. Soft eyeliner, mascara, lightly groomed brows, and a natural lip color can make a noticeable difference on camera.
Before your session, keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. Try not to use any new skincare products, peels, or treatments right before the shoot in case your skin reacts. Clean, moisturized skin helps makeup apply more evenly and keeps the final look more natural.
For foundation and concealer, choose something close to your natural skin tone and blend well around the jawline and neck. A light amount of translucent powder can help reduce shine, especially around the forehead, nose, and chin.
Whether your look is natural, polished, or more dramatic, make sure it fits the overall style of the session and still feels like you.
keep it true to you
The best wardrobe, hair, and makeup choices are the ones that make you feel comfortable, confident, and still like yourself.
You do not have to follow every rule. Some sessions are soft and natural. Some are bold and styled. Some are clean and timeless. Others feel more dramatic, creative, or editorial.
The important thing is that everything works together: the location, the wardrobe, the styling, and the feeling you want in the final images.
Bring options, plan ahead, and choose pieces that feel intentional. From there, we can build a session that feels personal, comfortable, and true to you.
