Guess what question I get asked the most...
Yup–”What do I wear!?” I promise, I’m here to make that a little bit easier! Finding clothes for your session can be overwhelming, but it’s definitely not impossible with some time and guidance. Unless you wear a standard daily uniform, I encourage you to plan several different outfits so that we can create the illusion of the photoshoot taking place over several days (this will be especially helpful when posting to social media). Ideally all of your outfit changes should coordinate so that they could appear on your website together without clashing.
Get Headshot Fancy
We'll be taking a variety of image styles at your photoshoot, one of which you're probably already familiar with -- a traditional headshot. For this particular portrait, a good rule of thumb is to “dress for the next job up the ladder.” For example, if you typically dress casually, wear a blouse or collared shirt. If you typically would wear a blouse or collared shirt, take the next step up and add a tie or blazer.
Understand your vibe
The wardrobe you choose will play a key role in what your final images look like. Neutral colors create light and bright images. Bold colors create artistic images. Dark colors can create striking images. Colors speak. What do you want to say? Do you want to come across as a high-end designer? A no-nonsense professional? An approachable and playful creator? Your clothing choices can help communicate that! For example, a neutral blazer in a timeless style says polished and professional while a bright pink blazer says something different (hello Elle Woods)! One is no better than the other -- it simply depends on what you want to say.
consider your brand colors
There are two ways you can go about color when it comes to your brand -- matching (like the Ommabe team in the image below) or coordinating. Color matters! You'll probably be using these images on your website and social feeds, so try to visualize how colors look in that place -- is it cohesive with your brand? Selecting matching colors is pretty straightforward so let's unpack what coordinating colors might look like. Coordinating colors are ones that compliment and do not clash. For example, if red is key to your brand but it's not the best color for you (more on that in a minute), you could choose outfits that are white, cream, taupe, and black. If you need help selecting a wardrobe color palette, don't hesitate to let me know. Do be aware that vivid colors should be avoided unless they are in your brand color palette (bright colors can easily dominate an image).
Be season-strategic
Remember that we want a variety of images that make it look as though your branding session has taken place over several days. One important factor to consider here is which seasons will these images be used for marketing? You wouldn't wear a jacket in summer or a tank top in winter, right? (Well maybe in Houston, but you get where I'm going here.) Imagine what season it will be 1-6 months for now and select a couple of outfits that fit in those seasons. If you want your images to be perennial, keep your clothing as seasonally neutral as possible. That said, a few seasonal pieces (like a Christmas sweater) can come in very handy for social media posts for upcoming holidays. We can just take one or two images in that outfit and you'll be set!
Know your colors
We can't all pull off neon yellow. (Ok probably most of us can't.) But if you can and it's aligned with your brand... go for it! You've probably seen those Instagram reels about "getting your colors done." If you haven't yet or it's not in the budget, an easy hack is to pull a bunch of items from your closet and DIY your own color-choosing session. Do this in front of a mirror in a room with a lot of natural light. As you hold each color up to your face, ask: Does this make my eyes pop? What does it do to my skin tone? Do warmer or cooler colors look better with my hair?
emphasize and minimize
I will spend the rest of my life telling my clients they are beautiful in every way, but let’s be honest: we all have things about ourselves we want to emphasize, and others we want to minimize. If you have body parts that you’re particularly self conscious about, keep that in mind when you’re selecting your clothes. If having bare upper arms makes you feel uncomfortable, stay away from sleeveless dresses or tops. If you are proud of your strong legs, rock that miniskirt!
What about black?
Photography is simply “painting with light.” Black clothing absorbs light, which may or may not be the best choice for your session. For example, a black dress against a background of evergreen trees will get lost in the scene. That same black dress against a white studio wall or urban rooftop will absolutely pop! We’re going for good contrast. So if you’re not sure, please reach out to me before your session!
work with a stylist
Still overwhelmed at the idea of selecting clothes for your brand session? Enlist the help of a professional! Many boutiques offer personal styling services that can be incredibly helpful. If you're feeling frozen when it comes to selecting outfits, shoot me a text with options! And when in doubt, bring lots of options to the day of the shoot so we have plenty to choose from.
Bonus tip: Dressing teammates or models
If colleagues, employees, or models (paid or volunteer) will be joining you for your branding shoot, be sure to communicate your desired color palette to them ahead of time. In the photo below, the business owner is wearing a patterned shirt and all of her models/friends were encouraged to select an outfit that coordinated with this anchor piece. No one is matching but the overall effect strikes the viewer as organically coordinated and no two outfits clash.
