What to Wear for Your Photo Session
The first question I get after scheduling a photography session is “What should we wear?” The location, time of year, and your personality can open up an infinite number of options and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. This simple guide offers color combinations and tips to style something unique to you that won’t limit you to black and white outfits (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).
I’ve also provided examples of my own family photo sessions to inspire some ideas in your own wardrobe.
THE “NEW NEUTRAL” PALETTE:
Let’s start with the classics; mix-and-match neutrals with a bold primary color (red, blue, or yellow) to create a seamless look, which can work for almost any setting and season. Combine these solids with textured tweeds, denims, velvets, and other fabrics to create depth. Think rustic outdoor and cozy home sessions!
Here my husband Doug and I pose in our home January 2017. We had just found out I was pregnant (5 weeks) and were reeling with excitement! Comfort was key for this shoot: Jeans are always a classic casual, combined with heathered blue and charcoal.
Out in the fields with Charcoal, Mustard, Denim and Black. (Late Fall 2012)
(Fall 2015)
SOFTER PALETTE:
A softer palette combines muted colors and feminine tones for a rich color scheme. If you’re preparing for a park or garden shoot, these are a great place to start.
Doug and I prepare for the arrival of our baby girl in whimsical maternity photos, wearing soft pink, khaki, and light grey. (Summer 2017)
After our daughter’s arrival I chose this cream Free People dress with accents of plum and orange as a starting point for everyone’s outfits. (Fall 2017)
Our third maternity session included greys, denim blue, grey-blue, and pops of mustard yellow. All were inspired by the maternity dress I found from Pink Blush. (Spring 2022)
COMPLIMENTARY COLORS:
My favorite combination of colors is mixing bright reds with vivid blue tones. Don’t be afraid to combine patterns between people — mix geometric motifs with organic shapes like plaids with flowers, or polka-dots with stripes. This can work well against the grey tones of a city skyline or industrial shoot, but isn’t off-limits for outdoor scenes!
I chose bold, complimentary colors and patterns for our engagement session (Summer 2013). I pulled out the smallest amount of aqua from my all-time-favorite Free People dress pattern and paired it with a medium blue, red, and aqua plaid for Doug. Layered with another aqua shirt and denim, this is still my favorite styled set.
Navy, red, and white plaid pairs perfectly with a solid of any of those hues. I particularly wanted to match my Anthropologie red chiffon dress. (Fall 2015)
BOLD PALETTE
Feeling adventurous? Pick a bolder pattern and pick complimentary bright colors! You can also choose neutrals and pick one bright color to wear. This lively palette brightens snowy winter shoots, indoor home shoots, and more.
Bright and neon colors and patterns go well with solids and neutrals. If you’re starting with a pattern, choose the least dominant color as your solid. For example, there is the slightest hint of pale pink in the floral pattern sample above, so you could do a white shirt with pale pink tie, or a pink shirt or dress to match. Floral patterns and polka-dots can also be mixed with thick stripes or pinstripes.
Our complete family! Photos were taken in November, so to bring color in I matched the girls to my hair (Late Fall/Winter 2022)
Bright pink is one of my favorite colors — and a great way to break through the cool Minnesota winter tones! (Winter 2017)
As always, don’t forget to layer with shirts and tanks, accessorize with scarves, hats, lapel pins, and jewelry!
What are your favorite color palettes for photoshoots? Share in the comments below, or tag me in your photos over on Instagram. Ready for your shoot? Book your next photography session with me.
With special thanks to: photographers Ashley Beckman, Laura Alpizar, Jennifer Whalen, Evan Sowder, Donae Cotton, and Brandon Werth for capturing my favorite people with me.
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