Dress The Part: What To Wear For Photos You’ll Love Forever“

hbphotography025
2 days ago
2 min read

Make Your Images Sing

Choosing what to wear for your photo shoot can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.

The right outfits can elevate your images from lovely to truly timeless.

Earthy Tones are a great choice!

Soft, earthy colours photograph beautifully. Think warm neutrals, muted greens, soft browns, creams, rusts, dusty blues, and gentle greys. These tones complement natural light and outdoor settings, and—most importantly—they complement each other.

When photographing couples or families, its good to aim for coordination rather than matching.

Outfits that work within the same colour palette create harmony and allow the focus to stay on connection, emotion, and personality rather than bold distractions.

Texture Over Patterns

Layers and textures (knits, linen, denim, wool) add depth and interest without overpowering the image. Subtle patterns are fine, but avoid large logos or busy prints that can date photos quickly.

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Use this planning process to make outfit decisions easier and more fun:

Start early: A couple of weeks before the shoot, choose your palette so you’re not rushing.
Pick a base colour first: Often it’s helpful to start with an outfit someone loves — like a favourite dress or cosy jumper — and build around it.
Lay outfits together: Put everyone’s clothes side-by-side on the floor or bed — take a photo of them together to see if they feel balanced (it’s amazing how helpful this is!).
Check the setting: Think about your shoot location — earthy tones are great for parks and fields, while light neutrals shine at the coast or in bright studios.
Comfort comes first: If someone isn’t comfortable in their outfit, it will show in the photos — so pick clothes that let you move, sit, and laugh freely.

Comfort Is Key

If you feel comfortable, it will show. Choose clothes you can move, sit, cuddle, and laugh in. Stiff or fussy outfits can limit natural interaction—and natural moments make the best photographs.

And If Neon and Odd Socks Are Your Thing…

Rules are made to be broken. If bold colours, quirky socks, or statement pieces truly reflect you, then embrace them. The best photos always reflect personality. Just know that vibrant colours and high contrast elements will stand out—sometimes dramatically—in your final images.