Style Guide for
Photography Sessions
One of the most frequently asked questions is, "What do I wear to my photo session?" If you're looking for a photography styling guide, I've got you! I've put together my recommendations below for a variety of scenarios, and have included items to avoid wearing. These are just guidelines to what looks best on camera, and what doesn't draw attention away from you. The best outfit is the outfit you're most comfortable in, though!
What do I wear to an indoor photo session?
Suggested: Cream, white, light greens/blues, etc. with jeans or khakis. Light colors are always best! They reflect light onto your skin to make you look brighter and fill in shadows.
Avoid: Black, purples, pinks, yellows, oranges - these can reflect onto your skin and give you a weird tint
What do I do wear to an outdoor photo session or engagement session?
Suggested: Mustard yellows, sage, forest or olive greens, burnt oranges, cream, terracotta, white, black, navy or light blues, and rust red. Dresses, jeans, khakis, black jeans, etc. Earthy colors are gorgeous in outdoor photoshoots!
Avoid: Purples, bright pinks, neon colors, bright orange - these take away from YOU as the subject and make the viewer focus on what you're wearing instead of the emotion
What shoes do I wear to a photo session?
Suggested: Heels, close-toed shoes, cute sandals, boat shoes, barefoot, neutral colors that coordinate with outfit, tennis/hiking shoes when applicable
Avoid: Torn, stained shoes. Bright colors, or colors that don't coordinate with outfit, heels that are too high
Tips and coordination
Suggested: Flowing dresses long or short, stylish top with regular pants (jeans, khakis), solid colors, complementary colors (not perfectly matched). Examples of complementary colors: Turquoise and mustard yellow, olive green and cream, navy and burnt orange, maroon and mustard yellow. You can find one or two colors or accent colors to weave into each outfit, but having different textures and styled clothes with the colors makes for a visually-interesting photo.
Avoid: Overly-patterned outfits, logos, T-shirts, screen Ts, baggy clothes, overly-tight clothes, perfectly matched (though black and black is always cute), lack of coordination
Below are some great outfit examples!
