Tips for Picking out a Wardrobe for a Portrait or Family Session
Picking out the right wardrobe for your portrait session is so important! Your outfit is the meat of the photograph. Whatever you wear, will be front and center of your image.
There is more to picking out an outfit, for a portrait session, than it being pretty. There’s factors you need to think about when choosing the right outfit(s) for your session. For example, you wouldn’t want to wear a green dress to a photo shot located in a green forest. You also wouldn’t want to wear black and white striped in a flower field.
Maybe these are just my onions… but maybe not. Your outfit is a key trait in making the photograph, and if your outfit is too distracting or camouflaging into the background, it probably isn’t a good choice.
Below are some ideas, tips, and tricks to picking out the right wardrobe for your portrait session
2. Leather
Leather, in a solid form (no prints), can be a great choice! Leather photographs well and can be found in nice, neutral, bold colors.
4. One solid/ saturated color
One solid color, without patterns, is always a great choice! Especially for head shots or professional portraits.
1. Business casual denim
Denim can fit many different looks. But wearing denim with a cardigan creates a professional yet casual style for your portrait session.
3. Neutral
For family photos, I prefer everyone to wear their own colors and style. When families all wear the same color and style, they tend to get lost and blend together. I like lighter colors because darker colors tend to disappear in photos.
6. Denim with a pop of color
I love denim (or let's say Khaki, or leather, or canvas) with a pop of color. It’s casual, fun, and can go well with most scenery.
5. A subtle 2 color plaid or print
I believe the smaller the print, the better for photographs. If the pattern is too big, I find it’s too distracting in your photos.
7. Casual
Casual is nice for simple family portraits. Some key pointers:
Stay aware from logos! Logos on shirts (like a big check mark for Nike) should not be worn for a portrait session unless you’re branding for Nike.
Stay away from large prints. Wear smaller prints.
Stay away from bright, neon colors
Wear neutrals, blues, warm or cool colors.
Try to stay in sync with the family. If one person is wearing satin, another person ( I think) should be wearing satin also. Too many, and too different, materials in a photograph can look awkward and not thoughtout.
Portrait Session Wardrobe Checklist
Solid color (no neon or bright colors)
Stay away from pure white and pure black because they tend to get lost in photos
If wearing a print, make sure the print is small- not too big and distracting
When wearing denim, try and class it up with a cardigan and khakis
When wearing denim, wear a splash of color to pop out a bit in photos
For families, don’t all dress alike. You can still stay in sync with shades of the same color, but wear your own styles and throw in a few other colors
Wear clothes that are fit well. You don’t want to wear anything too big or too small
STAY AWAY FROM LOGOS :-)
