What should I wear to a photo shoot?

For lifetstyle sessions (including family shoots, maternity sessions, bridals, Save the Date & engagement photos, newborn photos, senior portraits, etc), I love to see people sporting bold colors or shades of the same color.  One family I photographed all wore shades of blue, from navy to sky. Dad & sons wore blue checkered & gingham button-down shirts and Mom & daughter sported scarves in varying shades of blue.  It’s all about textures, layers, and accessories.

Or each member of the family could don a piece of clothing or accessory of the same color. The family in the photo below each wore red, white, and black. The daughter wore a black & white checkered dress with red tights, mom wore a white hat, black boots, and red sweater (and a killer red lipstick), the son wore a white shirt and black sweater & scarf, and the (white) puppy wore a red bow. Accents, like the daughter’s red bow in her hair & the son’s colorful fur hat & the mom’s black-and-white plaid scarf, helped everything *pop*.  Again, textures, layers, and accessories really polish the look.

One choice that doesn’t set me on fire is everyone wearing the same thing, particularly everyone wearing white shirts. Just my two cents.

For headshots, I recommend a nice, clean, unwrinkled shirt — no busy patterns or words or bulk to distract from your face. For ladies: button-down, v-neck, scoop neck — really, anything that’s not too low cut and not sleeveless/strappy. Jewelry is lovely but, again, nothing distracting. For men: again, nothing sleeveless, please! 

Above all, you should feel comfortable because that’s when you’ll look your best. Please feel free to bring a few options, too, if you’re uncertain.