Thank you for booking your session with me. The first question I always get is: What should I wear?
No worries! I am here to help you with that!
Professional Portraits
The goal of any professional portrait is to direct the viewer’s eye to the face(s) in the portrait. All other elements should be secondary. For individuals, simple long-sleeved outfits in medium to dark tones of brown, rust, burgundy, green, or blue are pleasing choices when photographed against any medium or dark background.
Tip: If you’re a business owner, consider wearing your brand colors! Color recognition is a really easy way for people to associate your brand photos with your business. If you don’t have an outfit in your brand colors, make sure your outfit compliments those colors, so when you use your brand photos, they look nice with the rest of your promotional materials!
Tips on Preparing For Your Portrait
- Turtle necks or V-necks can be flattering, but they must not be exaggerated in style. Avoid very wide or particularly deep V-neck outfits or bulky cowl-neck sweaters that completely hide the neck.
- Long sleeves are essential, if you don't want to bring too much attention to your arms.
- Women being photographed in full length should wear a dress or skirt that is not too short when sitting down.
- If feet are to show in the portrait, make sure your shoes and socks match the rest of your outfit.
- Men should have their hair cut about one week before the portrait session. Women should be photographed whenever they are happiest with their hair in relation to the time it is styled.
Out of comfort
Bring one outfit that is a little out of your comfor zone. You might feel uncomfortable wearing it to work, because it is too short or too long, but it might be perfect for a photo where we control how it will fit your body.
Guys: Bring a tie
I always recommend bringing a few ties with your dress shirt and/or suite jacket. YOu might not need a photo wearing it now, but maybe 6 months from now, you have a presentation that you want to use a photo for that is a bit more formal.
Bring accessories
A hat, a watch, bracelets, a scarf, jewerly etc. You can change a look with a different backdrop and a necklace or show personality with the watch you are wearing.
Don't forget shoes
When you take photos sitting behind a desk, you will see your shoes, you want them to match your outfit!
Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) do when looking for an outfit for your personal branding session. Do: Focus on comfortability and confidence.
Choose outfits that show off your personality. Even if you want to dress up for your photos, you should wear something realistic for you. If you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, your face will show it. We all have parts of our bodies that we like less than others. If you struggle to find clothes you feel comfortable in, give yourself enough time to try different outfits before you pick the final one.
Finding an outfit that makes you feel confident is the best way to get naturally beautiful photos. Match your style to purpose and location. Think about the goal you want to achieve by getting your photo taken. Do you want to look professional or candid? Posed or natural? Your outfit should reflect your goal. Also consider the location of your photo session. An urban location might call for a more edgy outfit.
A natural setting might inspire something more light and loose. For both indoor and outdoor sessions, your outfit should complement your surroundings.
Accessorize appropriately. Accessories can be a fun way to add color and personality to a photo, but limit the accessories you choose. Too many accessories can be distracting. And jewelry isn’t your only option. Hats, belts, scarves, glasses, and even socks can add something fun and unusual to your outfit.
Style within your budget.
You don’t have to buy new clothes for your session. There is a good chance you already have the perfect outfit in your closet! Before you use your photo session as an excuse to get a new wardrobe, take a good look at the clothes you have.
Pick one or two base pieces you love and build on them. If you do want to go shopping, pick a store that fits your budget and matches your style. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to look great.
Pick a second look or backup outfit.
Some photo sessions include more than one look. For these sessions, pick a second outfit that looks different. This way you can create different photos within the same session. For sessions that don’t include a second look, it’s important to have a backup outfit. You never know what might happen once you get to your session. The weather could change, you could lose a button, or spill something. Having a backup outfit ensures you'll look your best.
Choose something timeless.
We all have photos that don't age well. I have an album of photos in my home from the ’80s. My girls have fun laughing about my bangs and bright outfits! Choosing a timeless outfit is important. You don’t want to have to take new photos each year because your outfit is no longer in style. Unless the theme of your photoshoot is period-based, stay away from clothing trends that might look dated in a few years.
Treat your clothes like a member of the family.
Lots of wrinkles, stains, and missing buttons can make your photos look messy and unprofessional. Check your clothes before your session. They should be clean and wrinkle-free. You don’t want to ruin your brand photos because you forgot to iron your shirt!
Don’t:
Advertise your favorite brands.
Wearing words of any kind will take your eye away from you and turn the focus to your clothes. It’s also a good idea to avoid any recognizable characters on clothing. Solid colors and patterns are the best way to keep your photos from becoming distracting. For men, a polo is always more professional than a t-shirt.
Pick clothing that makes you look flat.
Adding layers and texture is a great way to make your photos look better. A lack of layers and textures can make your outfits look flat and wash you out. Cardigans and opened button-up shirts make great layers. Lace, denim, and tulle are a few playful textures to experiment with. Pick layers that are different colors, even if the difference is slight. Wearing a shirt and jacket that are the same color won’t keep you from looking flat.
Forget about your shoes.
Your shoes are always the first accessory to choose. They’re just as important as your clothes and are often the culprit of a less-than-perfect photo. Scuffed or worn shoes can take away from the subject. If needed, clean your shoes before your session.
Go overboard with the eyeliner and hairspray.
Natural hair and makeup are essential for great photos, especially branding photos. You want to look authentic to yourself. Because you’re taking personal branding photos, your face will be front and center. Your hair and makeup should be natural and neutral. Pick colors that complement both your skin tone and your outfit.
Surprise your photographer the day of.
It’s always a good idea to run your outfit by your photographer before your session. You can create and share your style board with your photographer on platforms like Pinterest. A style board can help you plan the best outfit for you. Sharing your board ahead of time will help you prevent any issues, like an outfit that might be hard to photograph. You can also email or text me pictures of your outfit to get my feedback. I'm happy to help you pick the perfect outfit for you.
What to avoid
All Black and White
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Avoid an all black or all white outfit
Too much
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Bold stripes, brand logo prints, small flowers and prints are visually confusing and do not photograph well.
Straps
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Bare shoulders or tops with “spaghetti straps” often make the subject look like you are not wearing a top when the photo is cropped a certain way.