Choosing What to Wear for Your Photo Session

For Couples

Jun 17

It can be incredibly daunting to choose what to wear for your photo session. The most important thing is to choose clothes that aren’t distracting from the two of you, or the emotion between you. It’s important that you choose something that not only looks good, but that is comfortable and matches the environment that you’re shooting in. Even though something may look really great in person, it might not always photograph well. Find ways to include your personality in the images by including props or accessories that share who you are as a couple. Last but not least, make sure that it all makes sense — like choosing clothes that are best for the season and the weather.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning for your session:

Stick with warm, solid neutrals

When choosing colours for your session, consider where you’ll be shooting. Choosing colours that blend with the environment will help to create a feeling of togetherness. Rather than matching with one another, focus on coordinating. If you match with one another by both wearing the same colour, you tend to blob together, and there’s no telling where you’re beginning and ending. Think about colours that are complementary, and lean toward natural earth tones. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear a colour that you really love, but rather than yellow or green, opt for something like mustard yellow or forest green. I recommend avoiding colours like pink or red, as they tend to reflect on your skin, causing the colours to intensify. Choose colours that both blend and add contrast to the environment without taking away from, or changing, your skin tones.

Avoid loud patterns

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good graphic or band tee, but shirts that have a lot of loud text or busy graphics can be really distracting. The last thing you want is to wear something that’s distracting from the environment or the emotion. If you plan on incorporating a pattern, ensure that it’s small and subtle, and won’t draw attention away from your face. Also, try to ensure that one of you is in a solid colour to avoid patterns competing with one another. If you’re both in patterns, the photos tend to look too busy. If you’re deciding whether or not a pattern is a good idea, start by thinking about your location. If you’re shooting somewhere that’s busier with a diverse background, opt for something more subtle. If your location is more simple, then including a pattern or depth in colours can add a nice balance.

Consider the environment

It’s important to consider the environment that you’ll be shooting in. Choose complementary colours, meaning that the variety of colours, textures, and accessories all go together while still adding separation from each other and the background. The location is important, but it’s really second to the connection and love that the two of you share. No matter where the location is, make sure that everything makes sense. For example, it doesn’t really work for you to be super dressed up on a beach, or to wear sandals with snow on the ground.

Add your personality

No matter what you choose to wear, ensure that you do you. Ultimately, I want you to look and feel like yourself, whether that means dressing up a little or wearing your favourite jeans and sneakers. Before you rush out to buy a new outfit, think about some of your most loved items in your closet. The photos should represent where you’re at in your life right now. When you feel like yourselves, you’ll be more comfortable, and the images will be more meaningful than if I dress you from head to toe. Infusing personality into your session is more than just your outfits. Think about what you really love to do as a couple, and how your images can reflect your togetherness. Consider adding some accessories or props such as a motorcycle, florals, your dog, sunglasses, a vehicle, or campfire. Do what feels most you!

Choose comfort

No matter what you choose to wear, it needs to be comfortable! The stiffer your clothing feels, the less you’ll be able to move and the more uncomfortable you’ll feel. Whatever you wear should allow you to move freely without restraint. I love to incorporate movement into my sessions because not only does it create a more natural feel, but it also adds energy to the images. Dress for the weather! If you’re wearing minimal clothing in winter time, it’s not going to be a very enjoyable session — you’ll be freezing the entire time! The same goes for a ton of layers in the summertime. If you feel uncomfortable, it can take away from the emotions and moments that we are able to achieve. Consider the weather, and what you would be wearing on a normal day. When it comes to shoes, I usually suggest that my clients bring an extra pair. More often than not, there’s walking involved to get to the spot, so heels might not be the best idea for the journey, but can still be featured in photos.

Hair and makeup

I often get asked if I recommend getting hair and makeup done before the session, and my answer is always this: do whatever feels most you. If you'd rather have the stress taken off of yourself and let a professional do it, that's great. If you like to do your own makeup and want to have a natural look, do it yourself. Whatever makes you feel your best and most confident! Avoid using self tanners prior to the session. You shouldn't have to feel self-conscious about anything during the session, including orange hands or blotches on your skin. If you're more fair-skinned and want to add a slight colour before the session, consider a very light spray tan (by a professional).

At the end of the day, you should choose options that will work best for you based on what you normally wear. Wear something that feels like you, because the more comfortable you are, the more relaxed you’ll feel. Keep in mind the location and the season that you’ll be shooting in. Bring several options so that you can add diversity to your gallery!