What Clothes Should You Wear to Your Portrait Session?
What Clothes Should You Wear to Your Portrait Session?
Portrait sessions are so much fun! They let you really relax, be yourself, go on an adventure and create gorgeous memories for your home, family and friends. One question I often get asked though, is "what should I wear to my portrait session?" There are a lot of different posts out there with suggestions, but I wanted to really keep it simple and give you a few tips that will help you to feel comfortable and provide some beautiful photos.
What You Should Do!
BE COMFORTABLE
It's super important that you're comfortable in the clothes that you choose, both literally and figuratively. You should LOVE your outfit so much that you'd happily wear it every day if you could. (It may end up being one that you look at every day on the wall.) It should be an outfit that makes you feel like you, makes you feel confident and makes you feel good. It should also fit well and be easy to get around in. With no tight pinchy bits, awkward loose baggy bits or wobbly ankles. Not only should you feel like you look amazing, but you should also just feel amazing and be able to easily move.
CHOOSE SUBTLE COLOURS
I love colours in shoots, and if you choose more muted and subtle tones then you're going to have beautiful colours that are well balanced and don't dominate the photo. Unlike overly bright or fluro colours, muted and subtle colours generally won't leave colour casts on your skin.
Colours (along with the colours in your location) can also really impact the final feel of your shoot. If you wear warm colours, then your photos are all going to have a lovely, warm feel to them. If you wear blacks, whites and greys, then you're going to have beautiful, minimalist photos. And if you wear gorgeous, muted blues or yellows or purples etc, then your photos will have a funky and bright vibe.
COORDINATE WITH YOUR PARTNER/FAMILY
When choosing your outfit, make sure that it won't clash with your partner or other family members. Definitely don't try to match completely (like a strange family uniform), but also make sure that you wear similar tones and styles of clothing. Either both/all be casual or both/all be semi-formal, either both/all wear earthy colours or both/all wear cool colours.
What to Avoid
I'm not much of a no person, but if you want to avoid colour casts and distractions, it could pay to follow these no no rules.
AVOID BRIGHT / FLURO COLOURS
One thing I often suggest avoiding in your shoot are clothes that are fluro, super bright or full of crazy patterns (unless that’s completely you and what you’re going for!). Bright colours and patterns distract and demand attention first in a photo. Very bright, fluro colours can also cast colours on your skin, especially if you’re pale (like me!). My pale skin is a great example of how you might get a colour cast in your photos (even from an article of clothing that doesn’t feel particularly bright in “real life”). It’s subtle, but have a look at how one of my fave maroon shirts makes my skin look a little more pink/red than normal in the photo below.
BE CAREFUL WITH PATTERNS
There's a little more leeway with patterns, but you have to be careful with them. If there is an outfit with beautiful patterns, this is the person who will be drawing the attention in the photo. Our eyes are naturally attracted to patterns and bright colours before we notice the other details. If there are two or more people with beautiful patterns? Then that can sometimes cause a clash. That said, I love the photo below, I think it works so well with that complex pattern because the majority of the frame is taken up by a blank sky, and the pattern is replicated naturally in the stones below. It helps that the photo is also simple, with one subject - me again!
AVOID DELIBERATELY MATCHING "UNIFORMS"
Do you remember that fad? Every person in a family or engagement session wearing exactly the same outfit? Such as a matching white top and blue jeans. You really don’t need to do that. Whilst it's important to coordinate, matching completely in every way can look a little bit strange. My sessions are all about being natural and real, and I'd hate for the natural beauty of your photo to be taken away by a family uniform. You don’t need to wear exactly the same thing. xo Unless a little bit strange is exactly the vibe you’re going for, then I’m all down for that!
THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO LOOK IN YOUR PHOTOS
I’m all for natural photography and loving yourself just the way you are! I’m not the type of person who will say “hey, your hair looks weird” or, “did you mean to apply your makeup like that?” When you arrive at your session, I trust that you have looked in the mirror and are happy with what you saw. If not, please talk to me. Let me know if there’s something you’re not particularly comfortable with. Or if there’s something you want me to keep an eye out for (like a falling bra strap or a pimple, etc).
Final Words
In the end, you shouldn't stress too much about your outfit. As long as you love it, feel comfortable in it, don't go toooo crazy with the colours and patterns (unless that’s your thing). The tips above are all just things to keep in mind. This shoot is about you, your unique style, your beautiful face/s, your connection and your adventurous life. Dress for you! xx
