FR | EN
What to Wear for Your Photoshoot: A Detail That Matters
Choosing to do a photoshoot is also about capturing a version of yourself that you'll be able to look back on and cherish. Because of that, the clothes you wear become part of that memory, part of what stays with you in the images. In my view, clothing is very much part of how we express who we are, our identity.
Beyond that, clothing also helps set a particular mood, depending on the style and colors you choose. Loose, flowing pieces like a long trench coat will create a very different effect than an outfit made up of jeans and a t-shirt, or a sexy dress. It's up to you to play with the version of yourself you want this shoot to capture!
Rule number one: feel beautiful in what you're wearing
Everything that follows in this article is secondary to this one golden rule: love yourself in your clothes! The goal is that you feel good, and feel beautiful, in what you're wearing. Whether it's a red jacket (like the one you can see in the example on this page), a floral dress, or a pair of denim overalls, if you feel attractive, cute, or downright irresistible in that outfit, wear it, even if it doesn't match the guidelines below. When you feel confident in what you're wearing, that energy shows up in the final photos!
Favor neutral tones
Classic colors like beige, black, grey, white, khaki, and brown are timeless, and they also pair beautifully with almost any setting, whether you're shooting in Paris or out in nature. That said, I'd recommend avoiding a color too close to the surrounding landscape, especially for outdoor sessions in nature, a green outfit blending into a garden, for example, won't stand out as well. In the city, most colors tend to work well against the backdrop. Still, it really depends on the case and what you're hoping to create, sometimes blending into the scenery is exactly the point.
Choose natural fabrics
Cotton and linen bring a beautiful texture and an elegant drape. Picture a lovely linen or cotton shirt for a summer session, or a flowing poplin dress caught in the wind!
Wool, in the form of a cardigan or sweater, creates a lovely cozy feel that works especially well for autumn or winter sessions. That said, this is very much case by case, a beautiful dress can absolutely be made of synthetic fabric and still look stunning.
Loose, flowing cuts are always a safe bet
Long trench coats, wide-leg trousers, long winter coats, or flowing dresses all add a lovely fluidity to your silhouette, especially once movement is involved, which also helps enhance that cinematic feel. That said, depending on the look you're going for, more fitted pieces, like a beautiful bodycon dress, can highlight your figure just as beautifully!
Coordinate without being too matchy
One piece of advice I often give couples is to make sure your two outfits feel harmonious together. Avoid the identical "matching" look, but aim to stay within a cohesive color palette for your outfits during a couples shoot.
What's best to avoid
Logos, text, and busy prints tend to photograph poorly, as they take away from the timeless, cinematic feel of the images (check my article "What is a Cinematic Couples Photoshoot"). That said, if the concept is, say, a 90s-inspired couples shoot or something along those lines, a logo t-shirt might actually be exactly right! As always, this is something worth thinking through on a case-by-case basis.
Dress for the season
I always recommend dressing for the actual season. Some people really want to wear a summer dress for a winter session, but I'd encourage you, whenever possible, to save that look for another shoot. Not only will you be cold (especially in Paris!), but it will show in the photos too (people tend to look a bit more tense), and it can also show on the skin, with redness or goosebumps. A beautiful coat, or layering a blazer over a sweater, can look wonderful in photos, and will likely make for a much more comfortable experience too.
Still not sure what to wear?
If you decide to book a session with me, I'd be happy to advise you personally based on your wardrobe and the mood you're hoping to create! You're welcome to send me photos of outfits you're considering, and we can talk it through together.
You'll also find plenty of inspiration on my portfolio, on my Pinterest, and on my portrait Instagram page, @bsc.visions!
Ready to book a couples photoshoot in Paris, in a cinematic style?
Fill out the contact form below so we can talk through your vision and create an authentic photoshoot together.
