But What Would I Wear? A Cozy, Confident Guide to Styling Your Photoshoot Outfits

Your first photo session is booked! You're excited, the date is saved, and the location is picked. But now the big question... what do you wear?

This is a question that seems simple but never really is, and for good reason. You want yourself and anyone joining you to look natural while still keeping things classy! Who doesn't?

As a photographer, I want to see you look and feel your best during AND after our session. Most of my answers come down to color theory, adding fluidity to your outfit, and incorporating textures.

Some general rules to follow:

• No two people should wear the same color. You can include small elements that connect the outfits, but make sure everyone still stands out as an individual. Think of complimentary colors or different shades of a color.

• Incorporate different styles of your clothing. Texturally, you want a bit of pattern or a few selective differences to keep your session from feeling “one note.”

• Layer up. It is very important to add dimension to your outfit. I rarely recommend skin-tight outfits without elements of lightweight movement, even in a small form.

I learn best through visuals, so let me explain it further with a few examples!

1. Complimentary Colors

When you consider your location, you want to choose outfits that contrast with the environment while still blending naturally into the scenery. Most of the time, I recommend earthy tones and neutral colors such as beige, brown, maroon, forest green, and similar shades.

Many sessions end up being in fall. With this in mind, you are going to find a lot of brown, green and muted yellows surrounding you. This is one of the best times to tie in darker and warmer colors if you're looking for some vibrancy such as a deep purple (exampled by Elizabeth), maroon, or a burnt orange. Otherwise, neutral colors always win! You'll find that beige or brown is a very possible and safe choice if you are ever unsure.

The cream and brown combination will always have a soft spot for me. Jameson’s shirt ties into Krystal’s outfit through her scarf, which adds both texture and a blend of complementary colors. This is a perfect example of a well-balanced color scheme—an ideal approach for couple or family photos!

2. Balanced Textures

Wherever your session takes place, it likely has natural textures from grass, brush, or running water. Your goal is to gently contrast the environment with a light pattern. This is easiest to accomplish with sun dresses, bows, flannels, and similar pieces. Jeans are also a perfectly subtle way to add texture if you want to stay a little closer to a relaxed but put-together look.

This is a perfect example of adding texture without taking away from the scenery or looking too busy! Many sun dresses have simple and small patterns that can truly dress up your photo.

This flannel tied the monochrome red shirt in perfectly and added some dimension to catch your eye. It rests easy on the body while still being "form-fitting". This is also a great example of incorporating textures!

3. Layer Up/Incorporate Movement

Now, I am not saying you have to bundle up in every layer possible. Some of the simplest ways to add dimension are small additions like a cardigan, a flowing skirt, or a scarf. For men, this looks like flannels, jackets, or open work-shirts. There are countless ways to create a three dimensional outfit, but the easiest way to think about it is to ask yourself, “Is my outfit stagnant on my body, or can I move around and interact with it?”

Some pieces of an outfit will naturally add layers, such as Julia's sundress. This allows for capturing movement and making your photos feel more raw, whimsical and comfortable.

Rocky's entire style is a perfect example of layering and safely mixing textures; from the leather jacket to the boots and the dark jeans!

What To Take Away

When choosing outfits for your photo session, aim for a look that feels natural, cohesive, and visually interesting. Focus on three main pillars: color, texture, and dimension. Pick colors that complement both your location and the people in your photos—neutral and earthy tones are almost always a safe bet, with deeper hues adding vibrancy when needed. Introduce subtle textures or patterns to avoid flat, “one note” outfits. Finally, incorporate layers or pieces with movement to create depth and bring life to your photos.

In short: choose complementary colors, mix in gentle textures, and add layers or flowing elements. These intentional choices help create balanced, dynamic, and beautifully photogenic outfits every time.

If all else fails, ALWAYS feel free to reach out to me and we can bounce some ideas off of one another. Every person is different and has varying tastes, so finding the style that makes you look and feel your best is of utmost importance!