How to dress for a portrait session

Ladies, let’s talk about what to wear for your portrait session. I know, I know, it’s a daunting task. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you navigate through the overwhelming options and make sure you look fabulous in front of the camera.

Based on the years of experience as a portrait photographer, I have come up with some dos and don’ts when choosing wardrobe for your portrait session.

First things first, let’s start with the basics. When choosing an outfit for your portrait session, you want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident. Trust me, the camera can sense discomfort, and it won’t make for the best photos. So, pick something that you love and that makes you feel like a million bucks. Even if it means breaking some of the rules below 😉.

Do’s of how to dress for a portraits session

Now, onto the fun stuff. When it comes to choosing an outfit, there are a few do’s you should consider:

1. Do think about the location of your photo shoot

Where will your portrait session be held? Will it be indoors or outdoors? In a studio or on location? These are all factors that will influence what you wear. For example, if you’re shooting outdoors in autumn, you might want to wear layers and a warm coat, whereas if you’re shooting in a studio, you might want to go for something more formal.

2. Wear clothes that fit well

There’s nothing worse than ill-fitting clothing to ruin your professional image (and trust me, you’ll be tugging at it the whole time during your photo shoot 😣) Any clothing you choose should be properly fitted, look professional and complement your figure. Likewise, avoid wearing anything that’s either very loose and slouchy or skin tight and uncomfortable.

3. Think about your personal style

Are you going for a classic and timeless look or something more trendy and fashion-forward? Your personal style should also play a role in what you wear. If you’re a boho-chic kind of gal, flowy dresses and natural fabrics might be more your speed, whereas if you’re a modern minimalist, a sleek blazer and trousers might be more your style.

5. Wear solid colours

Solid colours are timeless and versatile and can create a clean and simple look that will help draw attention to your gorgeous features.But just because you’re wearing a solid colour doesn’t mean your outfit has to be boring! You can play around with different textures, fabrics, and cuts to add interest and dimension to your outfit. A flowy dress, a structured blazer, or a cozy knit sweater can all look great in a solid colour.

6. Wear softer colours

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But I love my bright red dress!” And that’s totally cool – I’m not saying you can’t wear bold colors. But there’s something about softer shades that can really make your skin tone glow and create a more timeless look.

Think about it: when you look back at photos from 20 years ago, what do you see? Lots of neon, right? And while there’s nothing wrong with neon (I’m partial to a good hot pink myself), it can date your photos and make them feel less timeless.

On the other hand, softer colors – think pastels, muted shades, and earth tones – are more likely to stand the test of time. Plus, they can be super flattering on a wide range of skin tones.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But won’t soft colors make me look boring?” Absolutely not! In fact, by focusing on textures and layering (see my next point for more on that), you can create a really interesting and dynamic look even if your colours are more subdued.

And if you’re really attached to your bright colors, don’t worry – you can always incorporate them into your accessories. A pop of color in your earrings, necklace, or shoes can add a fun and unexpected twist to a softer outfit.

7. Layer your clothes

Layering your clothing is the way to go when it comes to your portrait session wardrobe! And I’m not just saying that because it’s trendy (although it totally is!).

Layering your clothing can be super helpful when you’re not sure what the weather is going to be like. By layering, you can easily take off or add on clothing to stay comfortable no matter what the temperature is like.

Layering can also add depth and interest to your photos. Think about it: a single shirt or dress can look nice, but it might not have the same visual impact as a layered outfit. By combining different textures, patterns, and colors, you can create a more dynamic look that really pops on camera.

Here is a link to a Pinterest board I have created for my favourite layered looks – Layered Outfit Ideas.

8. Add accessories

Jewelry can really elevate an outfit to the next level, making you look even more stylish and polished than your regular day-to-day look. (This is totally the reason why you accessorize for a night out! 😄) Just remember that less is more with jewelry, so keep the number of pieces you wear to a minimum and limit the focal point to one area. For example, don’t wear big earrings together with a big necklace; just choose one and let it shine!

9. Wear Heels

You want to get as much out of a single photo shoot as possible, so make sure to bring multiple pre-styled looks to change into. By bringing extra clothing and tops in particular, you can get a variety of looks in your photos, giving you more choice and a wider range of uses for your final photo collection.

Certain items may also be better suited to different lighting conditions or settings, so it’s good to have a number of options to choose from. You may want to bring some dressier and more casual looks with you as well, since they can help to highlight your professionalism, individual personality and sense of style.

10. Bring Wardrobe options

Don’ts of how to dress for a portrait session

What to avoid? Here are some of the don’ts when it comes to wardrobe for portrait photography:

1. Avoid neon colours or busy patterns

When choosing outfits for your portrait session, one thing you definitely want to avoid is busy patterns.

But, you say ” I love my striped print dress! It’s so pretty!” And yes, I’m sure it is lovely. But here’s the thing – busy patterns can be a bit of a nightmare when it comes to portraits.

For starters, they’re just plain distracting. You want the focus of your photos to be on you, not on the crazy pattern on your shirt. When someone looks at your portrait, you want them to see your beautiful face and all of your amazing features, not a jumble of colors and shapes.

A bold pattern might look great right now, but it may not be in style next year, and you don’t want your portraits to look dated.

However there are always exceptions, and I don’t believe in rules when it comes to fashion! For example a printed piece would look great in a location that isn’t busy or distracting, or maybe you want to showcase a more fun and youthful side in you. Personally I love prints, especially florals! So if you opt to wear a print really think about what mood you want to create in your final portraits.

2. Avoid clothes that are too tight or uncomfortable

The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera because of your clothing choices. Anything too tight, finicky or irritating to the skin will leave you constantly tugging and adjusting the garment, which would result in clothing that appears ill fitting on camera and a subject that looks quite uncomfortable.

As a photographer, the last thing I would want is for my client to feel awkward or nervous in any way. (Photo shoots can be a bit nerve-wrecking as is!) Also keep in mind, most photo shoots can take up to a few hours, so make sure you’ll be comfortable in whatever you’re wearing.

3. Wear clothing that is worn out, old or wrinkled

You want to look polished and professional in your personal branding images, so wearing old, worn out clothing is… counterintuitive.🤦‍♀️ Faded colours, stretched out tops or sweaters with pilling don’t photograph well and unfortunately they convey a less-than-professional message. (I know I know, your favourite sweater is super comfy! But girl I think it’s time to treat yourself to a new one 💖)

Save your favourite, well-worn pieces for home and wear something that’s fairly new or in good condition for your photo shoot instead. If you’ve already looked through your closet and still can’t find anything that fits the bill, then look on the bright side; at least it’s a great excuse to go shopping!

4. Accessory overload

Don’t go overboard with the accessories – you don’t want your accessories to overwhelm your outfit or distract from your beautiful face.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. And if all else fails, bring a few outfit options with you and let your photographer help you decide what looks best on camera.

Remember, this is your time to shine, so embrace it and have fun! And who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new favorite outfit along the way.