What do I wear for my photoshoot?

Congratulations on taking the plunge and indulging with professional photography services! I promise to make this as EASY as possible and provide advice throughout the process. But let’s address the biggest question on your mind: ‘What do I wear??’

Here are ideas and professional advice on how to look amazing in your photos!

Ask yourself, what colors make me feel good?

Look at the colors in your home- what do you surround yourself with? This will give you an idea of the colors you gravitate towards. Ideally, these images will grace the walls of your home. Everything should blend together like a master piece!

Select clothing to wear with a ‘color theme’

Select TWO primary colors and a THIRD complimentary color. This makes it easy-peasy, selecting only clothing that falls within the parameters of your color theme!

Choose clothing which gives you confidence! This is a top priority!

Choosing something you feel confident wearing will make a tremendous difference in how you feel. Which might mean purchasing a new outfit… oh my! It’s OK to splurge a little; truth be told, these images will live in your family… images you’ll want to visit again and again and again.

Mix up your look by adding texture & accessories.  

Vary your looks by mixing textures & accessories that add personality.  

Solid colors or small simple prints work best.  I suggest children wear small prints while adults stick to solid colors; again picking two colors in the same tonal range: pastels (pinks and blues), primary colors (red and blue), or earth tones (navy, tan, burgundy, or green).

Dressy outfits can be an exciting way to diversify! Just be certain everyone is the same level of ‘fancy’ or it doesn’t quite work!

*Remember, accessories are great- I highly recommend bringing extras so we change up your look.

What should I wear for my Couples Portrait?

Coordinate your clothing together, following the same rules as listed for family groups.  Pick colors in the same tonal range or choose earthy colors.  Keep in mind where the portrait will be taken.  If you are planning a shoot in the park, green would probably not be the best color.  Choose something that will add to the scenery. 

Adversely- neutral colors, earth tones & whites can look fantastic at sunset! 

studio lit portrait couple

Tips to Remember:

  1. Ladies remember to bring lipstick and powder.
  2. Men don’t forget to bring a belt.
  3. If you need a haircut, have it done at least a week before so that it has time to look natural
  4. Don’t be afraid to mix it up to make your portraits unique- For instance, if you have a fun dress for your little girl (as seen below), select colors within the outfit to dress the rest of the family.
Portrait of couple dancing in a park.

What to Wear for Children’s Portraits

Pastels work best for babies. Primary colors work better with older children. We often photograph babies and children with no shoes.

If you prefer your child wears shoes, please make sure they have clean, polished dress shoes (not sneakers) and socks to match their outfit. 

fine art baby portrait

Avoid outfits with large animal characters or logos with large letters. These often direct the eye to the clothing and away from the face of the child.

When photographing groups of children, I suggest coordinating their outfits together and select clothing to compliment their personality!

Photographer Tip for kids:: It’s a good idea to bring a favorite toy or something that can keep their attention.  This helps bring out the personality in your child.  Do they enjoy reading or playing catch? Let’s incorporate those things in the shoot.

Preparing an EXTENDED FAMILY for Group Photos

Large family reunion type groups need special consideration. The person organizing the group should determine whether the style of the portrait would be formal or casual.

It is important that all the families know the “theme” of the photo. If one family comes in suits and dresses and another comes in jeans and T-shirts, there will be no cohesion.

Short or long sleeves photograph better than sleeveless shirts. Women will often be seated, so skirts should cover the knees and be comfortable loose. (You might want to print these tips and give them to the other families).

PLEASE BE PREPARED TO SIT ON THE GROUND & GET A LITTLE DIRTY!!! 

For more ideas, visit our Pinterest Page with things to get you inspired!

clothing choices for photo shoots
Circle portrait of Adrienne Maples for verification purposes.

Adrienne Maples

 

Kansas City photographer, Adrienne Maples, weaves together powerful narratives with her photographs to create mood and evoke emotion.

 

She a board member of AIGA and KCAC. As a committee member of KCDW, she organized the 2024 talks: The A.I. Asset, Creator as Curator.

color awards

About

the Author

Adrienne Maples

 

Kansas City commercial photographer, Adrienne Maples, weaves together powerful narratives with her photographs to create mood and evoke emotion.

 

She's an AI enthusiast, passionate about teaching others how to use technology responsibly for the greater good. Known for her 'spunk & pizazz', she directs & curates images to transform mediocrity into the extraordinary.

 

She a board member of AIGA and KCAC. As a committee member of KCDW, she organized the 2024 talks: The A.I. Asset, Creator as Curator.

Related Posts

Read More

*bw photo by Sara Brennen-Harrell

[email protected]

913-549-3335

Facebook Icon illustrating a link to a Facebook account.Facebook Icon

Copyright 2023 Adrienne Maples PhotoStudios, Inc. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cashed or otherwise used, except with prior written permission.