Wondering what to wear to wear to a photoshoot with family, friends, or a solo shoot?
One of the most common questions my lovely clients ask me is what to wear to a family photoshoot or a model portfolio shoot. Keep reading if you’d like to creatively venture beyond the standard white-tee-and-denim family photos for your next photoshoot.
Let’s face it – deciding on an outfit each day can be hard enough, without the added pressure of a professional photographer pointing a camera at you. Before you empty the contents of your closet onto the floor or open another tab to panic buy new clothes online, let’s chat about how to choose a photoshoot outfit you will love and feel comfortable in.
So, whether you’re trying to wrangle your little (or not so little) ones into a family portrait session, or you want fresh content for your Instagram, keep reading to learn what to wear to a photoshoot.
Your outfit should hug you in all the right places and make you feel comfortable in your own skin. We want to capture your unique authentic self, enjoying every moment of your photoshoot, which is tricky if you feel uncomfortable or need to constantly adjust hemlines, straps, etc.
You can wear baggy jeans, a tight mini dress, or a button-up shirt if that’s your jam. But steer clear of trying to copy and paste other trends or aesthetics that don’t make you feel good. Simply put, be you and be comfy.
Also, remember to dress for the location by wearing an outfit appropriate for the area and conditions. Gold Coast weather can be temperamental, but suitable clothing makes for better photos and prevents pitying glances from curious onlookers.
Choosing a colour palette is one of the key decisions to make when deciding what to wear for a photoshoot. Neutral colours are always a good idea as they work well in most settings and are easy to pair with pops of contrasting colours.
As a Gold Coast photographer, I mostly shoot outdoors, such as at beaches, forests, bushland, and fields. Neutral and muted tones will align with the natural earthy colours of our surroundings. Shades of white, beige, dusty pinks, mustard, rust orange, and soft greens look beautiful.
A handy tip is to consider the rules of colour theory, which is covered in more detail in my colour theory for photography article.
You can use colour theory to find colour combinations that look good when paired together. For group or family photoshoots, try harmonising colours by matching a “hero” shade for some family members with neutral tones in other outfits.
Don’t match too much of the same colour as different outfits may blend into a uniform blob.
For solo photoshoots, choosing complementary colours based on the photoshoot location can provide a visually appealing contrast, such as wearing yellow in a purple lavender field. Or you can try matching your outfit to the surroundings, such as a green outfit against a green wall.
For a timeless feel, avoid clothing with patterns, prints, brand names, and slogans. Although your child may swear allegiance to Elsa for eternity, non-branded clothing is less distracting and easy to coordinate with the rest of the family photoshoot outfits.
Loud prints (I’m looking at you leopard spots) may go out of fashion or your favour. Further, if multiple family members are wearing bold prints, the colours and patterns can clash and detract from each beautiful person’s face.
Really love a pattern though? Try to pick just one patterned piece and select a colour from the pattern to base the remaining outfits on. Avoid clash of the tartans by selecting one pattern at a time.
Choose outfits that move with you and make the most of the setting.
Fabrics that flow in the wind, filter golden sunlight, and create silhouettes will add movement and interest to your images.
Think natural fibres, such as linen, cotton, and wool.
Flowy fabrics add an element of playful whimsy to outdoor shoots that structured clothing can sometimes lack.
Further, textured clothing (such as lace, waffled fabric, tulle, or wool) photographs well and may help keep you warm (hello winter scarves).
Hats are one of my favourite accessories for summer shoots. I love to use these classic straw hats from Lack of Colour, but I’ve also found picture-perfect hats at thrift stores.
From wide brimmed to bucket, hats are a fun way to express your style, tame wind-blown hair, and add variety to your images.
I also LOVE to bring props to my Gold Coast portrait photoshoots, such as shells and mirrors. Props don’t need to be cheesy and are a great tool to help tell your story.
Hear me out: my default mode is barefoot and fancy-free on a beach. So, if you’ve booked a Gold Coast beach photoshoot for your family or model portfolio, barefoot is usually best. But it’s helpful to bring appropriate footwear to reach your location, such as sandals or your trusty thongs (or slippers for my beautiful U.S friends).
For fields or other grassy areas, bring comfortable, enclosed shoes that match your outfits. Snakes may not love your boots, but I will!
Footwear should be both aesthetic and practical for your photography location. If you’re unsure about what shoes to wear to your Gold Coast photography session or another location, slide into my inbox.
Dark and heavy eye makeup can make your eyes appear smaller, particularly during outdoor photoshoots. For my outdoor Gold Coast photography sessions, I recommend the less is more approach and avoiding thick eyelash extensions, which can cast panda eye shadows. Pandas are cute but panda eye shadows: not so much…
Makeup is an artistic expression, and you should wear what reflects your most beautifully confident self and aligns with the vibe of your photoshoot.
How you choose to style your hair is also a personal preference. Slicked-back ponytails are a popular trend in fashion photography and if an up-do is your vibe– go for it!
But, I’ll admit I’m a sucker for that romantic, windswept hair that adds movement and intrigue to any photograph. If I had to choose between an up-do or hair down – the latter wins every time!
The flaws of uneven nails and chipped polish tend to be emphasised during portrait photography sessions, so consider treating yourself to that mani-pedi. Go on, you deserve it 😉
To wrap it up like your hair curler, you are naturally gorgeous and however you choose to accentuate your style will be celebrated during our Gold Coast photography experience together.
Your portrait photography session is all about you! Wear whatever makes you feel comfy and confident and reflects your true style. As your Gold Coast photographer and professional hype-woman, I’m here to make you look and feel beautiful, no matter what you wear to your portrait photoshoot.
You can always message me for outfit inspiration or photos to help you decide what to wear to family photo shoots or your next solo photography portrait session.