What should I wear to my photography session?
One of the most common questions I get asked by a prospective client is, "What should I wear?"
My usual response to this question is "Wear whatever you want to be seen in." Now, this may sound flippant, but it's part of the concept of "How do you want to be seen?" which is paramount to my portraiture. I want people to look their best in the photos, and that usually means that they have to feel their best! Someone who is a career businesswoman might want to be seen in her usual attire to emphasize her successes - but a different person with the exact same role might want to show a casual relaxed side of her personality, or something whimsical or fun, or anything else they want. A decision about outfits isn't made simply, it's usually a conversation, and the outfit is just one aspect of that. For portraiture, the clothes are there to make the subject look good. It's not the same as fashion photography, where the model is there to make the clothes look good!
If a casual look is what you want, then just do it!
It's important to think about your favorite outfits, as well as perhaps things you haven't worn in a while. Occasionally it may be worthwhile buying (or renting) an outfit for your shoot, but keep in mind that you'll have to be certain about the fit and form, because there won't be much time during the photoshoot itself to fix anything!
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This outfit was chosen specifically because she hadn't worn it for years!
General: In all instances you should feel comfortable, which means choosing something you can wear in the environment you'll be photographing in! Cotton is usually an easy choice for material. Denim is also a great look because of its texture and rugged appearance. A silk blouse is simply beautiful, and a tailored suit is super classy.. If you want to look a certain way but are worried about over or under heating, then layering is a great option. I love using a jacket for different looks - closed, open, on, off, over the shoulder... it all counts as a single outfit, but you get a ton of looks to choose from in your gallery. A photoshoot is a great opportunity to bring out items you might not otherwise wear - a sports jacket for example, or checkered blouse - something fun and different but still "you".
A photoshoot is a great way to show off a tattoo that you're proud of, especially if you might otherwise keep it covered.
Colors and patterns: While a lot of my portraiture is black and while, some people obviously want color - and some clients show up with things that demand to be photographed in color! In general, most things work well but it's really cool when things match up well, such as earrings or shoes for example.
A coordinated look with lipstick, nails, and a neckpiece that all matched.
Patterns shouldn't be too "busy" - and by that I mean tons of stripes or polka dots or something similar. Unless the cut of the fabric is obvious (for example, a formal shirt or short skirt) the pattern can be distracting and mislead the eye. Vertical stripes are slimming, horizontal stripes are not. That's a generalization, but one that bears repeating! One thing I will warn people - true black can be an issue for some film stocks (especially high contrast BW), and an outfit that looks awesome in person might not look as good in an image. In contrast, whites can work well because film has such high latitude for over-exposure. The issue is really whether the fabric lines and textures can be seen well. Good lighting will mitigate this of course, but even a dark blue/brown/grey can make all the difference as at least some light will be reflected to give it shape. You may have been told different by a digital photographer, who will blow out their white fabrics but will be able to work with blacks. That's all down to the difference in digital sensors versus film emulsion.
These black pants almost looks like a full-length skirt here as the details are lost.
Clothing cut and fabric: I love anything with buttons and straps - basically whatever can be done/undone or moved around for a different look is great for photography. I don't want to take 30 identical looking images, and I'm sure my clients don't want to see them either! Often the same outfit can be worn in casual and formal ways, demure or daring! If you're not sure how you want your session to go, or simply want some flexibility in your look during the shoot, it's absolutely worth discussing specific outfits and options ahead of time so as to preserve that flexibility on the day. A formal shirt and tie looks very different with the tie undone and the shirt unbuttoned. On the other hand if you go with a turtleneck sweater, then that's the only look you have with it...it all depends what you want.
Different looks with the same outfits during the same session.
You'll want an outfit that fits well - for curvy women in particular there is a tendency to try to "hide" under over-sized clothing that they feel masks areas they don't like. In truth, it often just draws attention to the fact that they're trying to hide something, and they may be better off with an outfit that fits better, while working with posing and camera angles to flatter their look. This can be a total change of mindset - but it may be something that's worth doing for an event as important as a portraiture session. Whatever you wear, you have to be able to move around easily - and something too tight can be as limiting as something too loose.
Well-fitted but flexible fabrics will allow for multiple posing options.
A neckline can make or break an outfit for a woman - consider whether you want to accentuate or minimize, and the other things like shoulder coverage, fabric type and color, and jewelry. A very practical consideration is that strap marks (or bra straps themselves) can ruin the look of an outfit if they're not supposed to be there. A strapless bra can provide some support and coverage without leading to marks that are difficult (or impossible) to edit out of the photos, and shoulder straps should ideally be removed at least an hour prior to a shoot. Some women like to use tape or other covers, but these can be visible in some situations (which looks really weird!) and honestly often just isn't needed. You're much better off working with poses and angles to flatter your look. On the flip side, if you choose to go au naturel then be very mindful of the fabric type and color and your comfort level with the result - what looks great with a denim jacket absolutely might not with a thin white maxi dress! It can be helpful to remember that this isn't a social event, this is an artistic endeavor and a display of confidence.
Capturing natural confidence is one goal of a portraiture session, especially for women.
Short sleeves and slits are great for breaking up the fabric lines and showing off limbs, and for longer dresses give you more options and flexibility than a simple full-length dress - plus they look great in movement shots! Even a long-sleeved shirt can be worn differently, and rolled-up sleeves create a very different vibe for men than when worn down. For women, ribbed tops can be extremely flattering, as the fabric lines accentuate the natural curves. For men, corduroys can also work well as the vertical lines add a sense of height and texture.
A great example of a flattering ribbed top - feminine but full coverage.
Accents and accoutrements: Men are generally easier to dress, but things I would strongly suggest making sure are considered are shoes and belts. Men tend to get away with not caring as much about those, but nothing can ruin the look of a photograph more than a sloppy appearance! Empty belt loops just look weird, and a nice belt can really add to someone's look. If you're going to wear formal outfits, do it properly and consider things like ties, cuff links, and other accents. For women, match shoes with not only the outfit, but also the location. Stilettos on soft sand or grass might not work well at all, but a heeled sandal might look just as good. For feminine poses it's often important to point the toes, and basically that's what heels do, in addition to adding height - but I'll usually direct folks to point their toes even if they're barefoot and sitting down! Jewelry is very important in a female portrait, and it may be worth considering a variety of options. Necklaces are especially good at adding interest to an otherwise plain top or neckline.
Layering jewelry can add interest and depth to an image.
A photoshoot might be a great opportunity to bring something out that you'd otherwise never get a chance to wear! Classic watches look great in a photo - Apple or other smart watches do not. Lastly, I love hats. A good hat is a fantastic addition to a shoot, whether male or female.
I am always happy to review options that clients send in by text or email - sometimes 5 or 6 different options at a time! You can generally expect to get through one outfit (with variations) in an hour of photography (i.e. a Vintage portraiture session), and if you try to squeeze a second outfit in then frankly you just burn through photography time getting changed. I would always recommend a longer session (i.e. a Classic or Premium portraiture photoshoot) if you want to get a multi-outfit session done.