what to wear for your photo session: styling tips from Pábitel Photography
- Lisa Calandrino
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
You've spent hours researching photographers and even more time struggling to find a date that both you and your family members have free for a photo session. A few hundred dollars have been invested into this important evening as well, and now that the contract is signed and your photo session is officially locked in your calendar, the stress is kicking in.
What are we going to wear for our photo session?
Answering that single question is perhaps the most stressful part of planning for a photo session. That's why I try to assist, in one capacity or another, every single client who books a session with me. Clients always receive my styling guide: a short, straight-to-the-point document full of general tips for choosing outfits that are guaranteed to show up great in photos. On top of this, I provide all clients with a link to a Pinterest board filled with clothing inspiration as well as offer complimentary access to my client closet: a small but growing collection of formal dresses in various sizes and colors.
Additionally, for those who select my premium package, I provide personal styling assistance! This service is unique in that I provide as much assistance as clients individually need while working to select outfits for their sessions. This might involve helping a client with online clothing shopping, creating a Pinterest board tailored to their session's desired aesthetics and location, and responding to any texts received about clothing options.
Now, while I clearly put a lot of emphasis on outfits when working with clients, I am not going to be the photographer that says, "Outfits can make or break a session." Sometimes, buying new clothes and putting together the most pristine, well-coordinated outfits is just not possible. I fully understand that paying for and sitting through a photo session is a luxury that not everyone can afford. To expect or to pressure my clients into spending additional money on the perfect wardrobe is something I'm not willing to do.
What I will do though is plead you to trust me when I say that carefully choosing your clothes matters. Outfits may not make or break your session, but they will one hundred percent enhance or impair your photos.
To make the most out of your upcoming photo session, I strongly encourage you to follow the styling tips provided below. This guidance is shared with every client of Pábitel Photography through my styling guide, and those who follow it thoughtfully always find their final galleries to be exceptional!
tip one: stick to a color palette
I have found that many people tend to gravitate toward dressing in similar colors for their photo sessions (think blue jeans and white shirts). Although this seems to be a popular choice, try to resist hopping on this band wagon!
Your photos will look 1,000 times better if, instead of going the matchy-matchy route, you opt for a color palette. I personally recommend choosing about four different colors and sticking to them. For my clients specifically, I suggest wearing rich earth tones or pastels and advise them to steer clear of bright colors and neon.
It's a great idea to ask your photographer if there are any colors they recommend avoiding before your photo session. They will know best which colors do not mesh well with their editing style. For example, although I do not prohibit my clients from wearing blues or purples, I typically find these colors more challenging to work with in the editing process. Remember, every photographer has their own unique style. Colors that work well for one photographer's style might not be suited for another's!
tip two: materials + patterns matter
Again, this is a subject you can ask your photographer about before your session, but something easily overlooked when choosing what to wear for a photo session is the material an article of clothing is made from. My main piece of advice here is simple: avoid shiny or reflective materials. Matte materials tend to absorb light better, making for rich and vibrant photos. I always encourage my clients to wear clothing pieces made out of cotton, polyester, satin, mesh, nylon, or lace.
As far as patterns go, the rule is as follows: the lighter the pattern, the better. Stay clear of anything heavily patterned. Busy patterns can not only distract from the emotion and connection in photos, but sometimes they may even become distorted depending on the intricacy of the pattern and the angle the photo was taken from. Instead, opt for wearing solid colors with delicate details such as pearls, sparkles, and lace trims.
Flannels are also a great - not to mention popular - option for photo sessions! They must be coordinated correctly though; remember, it is best to avoid dressing matchy-matchy. If one person wears a flannel, consider putting someone else in a solid color.
tip three: choose your accessories carefully
In my humble opinion, delicate accessories look beautiful in photos! Pearls and thin silver or gold chains with small pendants are so elegant. Of course, some outfits may call for bolder jewelry such as thick bangles and statement necklaces, but be careful; these can be overpowering if not selected carefully.
And please, please, please, if at all possible, take off your Fitbits, Apple Watches, and baseball caps. While you're at it, consider switching out those tennis shoes for dress shoes too!
Alright, friends, you're now equipped with the knowledge to elevate your next photo session from a 10 to a 100. Just follow my three easy tips for a stunning wardrobe—you won't regret it!
Oh, and one extra treat before you go: my quick list of styling do's and don'ts.
do...
•• make sure your clothes are ironed.
•• wear an undershirt with a button-up shirt.
•• dress like the best version of yourself.
•• have your hair parted and brushed.
don't...
•• spray tan within at least 24 hours of your session.
•• wear undergarments that create lines.
•• wear baseball caps, tennis shoes, Apple watches, Fitbits, or hair ties.
•• wear shirts with logos on them.
•• wear leggings if you can help it.
•• feel pressured to shop new.
•• hesitate to ask your photographer questions!
A few of my typical side notes:
Pábitel Photography is now on Bluesky!
Grand Rapids, Michigan friends! Mark your calendars for May 4th! Pábitel Photography will be a vendor at the Love for Lily: Hope for PDCD fundraiser event happening at the Fulton Street Market from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I will have plenty of Spring nature and landscape photos to decorate your home with.
Interested in buying your loved ones a gift certificate? Gift cards are available all year round! Send me an email to purchase one.
Visit my print shop for nature + landscape photos!
I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I provide.
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