What to Wear During A Photoshoot
So you’ve paid your deposit, set up a photoshoot date, AND picked a location, but now it’s time to choose outfits.
While it can seem daunting and overwhelming, I have a few tips and tricks to help you feel confident in your photos, while also complimenting your skin color, your vibes and the backdrop!
Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals.
The more neutral, the better. Heavy prints & crazy colors can clash if you have a busy background, and make for an overall “busy” photo. You want your eye to go directly to the subject (you) without standing out too much. Now, sometimes I ask clients to bring their favorite statement piece, for plain and minimal backdrops.
Luckily, I also have a client closet for you to pick from as well! Included in your session, I offer dresses, to leather jackets, statement accessories and more. I will always bring this up if you voice your struggle with outfits!
2. How many pieces do I bring?
Depending on the length of your session, as well as location, plays a part in the type and the amount of wardrobe changes.
For example, let’s say we are in a studio. With this, the options are (almost) endless! The ease of shooting, wardrobe change, shooting, wardrobe change is something you take for granted once you are in a city. Here, you can have up to 4 outfits for a one hour session. While outside in a city with limited public bathrooms, most likely we will fit in 2-3 at most.
BELOW : TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN SAME SHOOT - SAME OUTFIT BUT DIFFERENT COAT
For something like a city shoot, I ALWAYS!! recommend layers, or even pieces that are super easy to slide over. If you are up for it, a lot of my clients have changed behind bushes, in their cars, etc. Layers make it easy to switch up the look without having to do a complete wardrobe change. (PICTURED ABOVE)
We’ll talk more in our planning on the estimate of how many choices to bring!
Keep in mind that putting a jacket on or taking it off does not count as a whole outfit change. An outfit change involves the pants and shoes, typically. At the end of the day, the more the better. The more options you bring, the more chance of getting a variety of shots. Even if we don’t shoot all of them, that’s okay!
3. Comfort is important
While I always promise neutrals will be best, comfort is always up there. The best photos come when you’re feeling confident! Especially if it’s your first professional shoot, the more confident, the better. Focus on slightly-loose fitting clothing, and whatever you feel comfy AND confident in. All though, with couples or groups, neutrals look best so you are not contrasting the other subjects, and again clashing in the photo, making it too busy on the viewing eye.
Things change though if you’re doing a styled shoot or a fashion shoot. I love stepping out of the box to try new things, so if you are doing one of these with me, or have that statement piece with you, we can work together to find a complimenting background to get the perfect shot.
Christina voiced that she was very nervous for her first shoot, and her comfort was bright colors/d, which contrasted very well with her skin tone and contrasting colors around her.
4. Breaking it down.
Now that I’ve mentioned what to bring, I want to talk about structure during the shoot. Again, as this all varies depending on time, location, and overall vibe, but we will discuss this before the photoshoot to have more specifics for our shoot together…
Here’s an example of how I would recommend what to wear and in what order…
Location : Mount Vernon, Baltimore, MD
Type : Branding Photoshoot, 2 Hours.
Outline : Start at the Ivy Hotel then walk through the main circle, into Topside, then townhomes.
Outfits from start to finish: Fancy work outfit (pantsuit), a relaxed comfy outfit (jeans and tee), second comfy outfit, a relaxed daytime dress, and optional: your statement piece.
Again, this can vary, but just having an idea beforehand make our lives that much more easier, so you know what to show up in (the most detailed outfit) and what levels of outfits to bring along.
I hope this helps you in deciding your next photoshoot fits! Don’t worry it’s only stressful if you make it that. I absolutely love styling so feel free to shoot me a text asking about outfits, or even FT me for opinions. I look forward to shooting with you!
NOTE* This blog is for new clients taking portraits, couples, branding shots, etc. If you are a fashion or editorial model, we will discuss clothing together separately.
STYLED FASHION SHOOT
COUPLE/ENGAGEMENT SHOOT
