What to Wear for your Personal Brand Photoshoot
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from my personal brand photography clients is, “What should I wear for my brand photoshoot?” It’s an important question because it’s how you are representing your brand, and it also impacts how versatile your images will be and how long you can use them for on any given platform. So today I’d like to give you some tips for picking your outfits for your brand photoshoot. Grab a cup of coffee and a notepad and let’s get to it!
I think one of the most important things is to bring clothing you feel comfortable in. You will feel more confident if you’re wearing an outfit that you really love and feel yourself in. I want you to feel your best when you come in for your photoshoot and this gets us off to a great start! If it means going shopping for something new, don’t worry! It’s worth it to spend a few extra bucks to feel like a million ;) Right?
My next tip is to pick simple, classic outfits. These types of timeless outfits will give your photos a longer lifespan because they won’t go out of style. For example, jeans and a white blouse or neutral-colored sweater.
Another tip along these same lines is to think about wardrobe staples that you wear year-round. These pieces are typically seasonally ambiguous, meaning that you could wear them any time of year. Or another way to look at this one is to dress for the cross-over seasons like spring and fall. That way you won’t end up with images that you can only use for a short season out of the year. For example, rather than a floral sundress, pick the more neutral-colored dress and wear a light cardigan over it.
Think twice about loud patterns and bold colors. Big bold patterns stick out so you’ll probably only feel good about using a photo with that type of pattern once or twice on your Instagram before it feels old. Same goes for loud colors, with the exception of if it’s one of your brand colors. For example, if your brand has a vibrant yellow logo then it would be okay to wear vibrant yellow for your shoot. Speaking of brand colors. If you’ve got a brand color that looks good on your skin tone, definitely use it! For instance, I wear a bit of blush in my brand photos often because it’s one of my brand colors. It doesn’t get old because it meshes so well with my overall brand aesthetic.
In addition to staying away from big patterns and bold colors, I recommend staying away from other brands’ logos. This shoot is about you so don’t promote another brand by wearing their branded shirt to your photoshoot. It detracts from your brand and confuses the message.
Bring a cardigan or jacket for an easy and quick way to switch up a look without even finding a private place to change! Jewelry and shoes are another area where you can switch up your look quickly without changing your base outfit. The more you can add in these quick changes the more your shoot will look like it didn’t all take place in one day.
And speaking of changing, wear a neutral color tank top as a base layer so you can change shirts quickly and modestly on the go. The quicker you’re able to change, the more time for taking great photos and the more versatile your shoot because the more outfits you can wear! In addition, if you’re not in a studio with easy changing room access this can be a lifesaver!
Don’t forget the details! Shoes and jewelry are important for pulling it all together. Make sure you take the time to think through all the details of which necklace or earrings will go with each outfit and don’t forget that extra pair of shoes! A switch between tennis shoes, flats or heals can completely change a basic outfit’s vibe.
Plan ahead! This is a big one. Take the time to try things on ahead of time to make sure you love each outfit on you. Make sure you’ve got everything cleaned a few days in advance and hang them up to reduce any wrinkles. There’s nothing worse than a cute outfit with creases down the front!
Bring lots of different options, even if you don’t think you’ll wear all of them. Make sure you pick your favorite few and have a plan, but it doesn’t hurt to throw in that extra top because you might end up having the time to shoot a couple extra shots in it and extend the life of your photos that much more.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to your brand photographer with questions! I love it when my clients text me quick snaps of their outfits in advance. It helps me to be able to help them feel confident in their choices! I am happy to give personal advice or just cheer you on! So if you’re a client of mine and you need an extra set of eyes on that outfit ahead of time, just shoot me a text, Instagram DM or email ;)
