What to Wear to Your Couples Photoshoot | A Style Guide
So, you have a couples photoshoot coming up…Woohoo! Now, the planning begins.
While planning for this day can be a ton of fun, it can also be a bit stressful. Especially when it comes to deciding on outfits! The poses, landscapes, lighting, and elements are all incredibly important, but the way you present yourself can really affect the way your photos will turn out. When you look back at these photos, the last thing you want to think is “wow why did I wear that?!”
When it comes to deciding on outfits, my clients are typically faced with the following- Should we match? What clothing choices will turn out best on camera? What styles should we avoid?
Look no further! I have compiled a guide that will walk you through the ins and outs of selecting the perfect outfit(s) for your couple’s photo session. I’ll provide you my favorite tips and tricks as well as general guidelines to follow before our session!
A little disclaimer: I’m not going to give you specific clothes suggestion but rather more general ones that you can apply to your very own style of clothing. At the end of the day, I want you to be 100% yourself during your shoot.
Let’s get started!
Tips That Make Outfit Planning Easy
When in doubt, opt for texture! If you think your outfit is a bit dull and needs a little something extra, I always recommend adding texture wherever you can. Texture is a great way to bring in a dynamic element to your photographs. Think clothing with dimension. Detailing around the neckline, subtle embellishments, flowing sleeves, textured garments, and accessories are all examples of this. You certainly do not have to go crazy with texture, but when incorporated strategically, it can make all the difference!
Don’t forget to accessorize! Accessories are another great way to add some texture to your outfit. Just be sure not to overdo it. For the ladies, a nice pair of earrings and a necklace often do just the trick. For the gentleman, a ring and a nice watch are excellent additions. Now is the time to show off all your favorite jewelry pieces!
Colour pairing. Nothing spells disaster quite like clashing colours! Following an overall theme/colour palette is essential. In other words, make sure the colours you wear will compliment those of your significant others! To give you a specific example, I have included a popular colour palette that is both classy and inviting. I also encourage seeking inspiration from online platforms such as Pinterest. These platforms allow you to explore countless colour palettes and will help you find one that will best fit you and your partner’s style! Again, there are many to choose from so have fun with it! Generally, I’d recommend staying away from super bright colours, but that is all up to your individual preference and personality. You can never go wrong with neutrals!
Matching is not a necessity. I have many couples who are overwhelmed by the idea of matching one another. This doesn’t have to be the case! Because let’s face it, matching can really limit your clothing selections. If anything, coordinate! Sticking with a specific colour palette is a great way to coordinate. In fact, this allows you each to pick an outfit that expresses your individual styles without clashing! If being matchy-matchy is your thing, by all means go for it, but try to avoid the “all-white-shirt” look, it’s quite old-fashioned. Instead, opt for similar nuances in your clothes. This is a great way to look polished without being cheesy!
5. Consider your surroundings. When deciding on the perfect outfit, make sure it fits the environment we will be shooting in. For example, you may not want to show up to your beachfront shoot in heavy clothing or heels. Generally, flowy pieces do exceptionally well in most outdoor environments as a way to incorporate wind and movement into your photographs! Take inspiration from the environment and whatever feels right to you! After all, it’s YOUR photoshoot!
6. Outfit changes. Having a couple outfit options is never a bad idea. The more options, the better! However, changing up an outfit can be easier than you think! One word: layers! By simply adding another layer, you instantly have a “new” outfit to rock. This can be as simple as adding a jacket or blazer to freshen up the look! Yep, it’s as easy as that!
7. b I love experimenting with various props during photoshoots. If there is something you’d like to bring, we’ll figure out a great way to include it! Bringing in a prop that is personal to you not only elevates the photographs, but also makes the photoshoot completely unique to you. Grab some flowers, a blanket, or even your dog!
Now that you know what to do, here’s what NOT to do:
DON’T come to your session with chipped nail polish (yes, we notice ha!). Either go for a plain look or make sure your nails are well looked after.
DON’T go crazy with patterns, geometric patterns especially do not photograph well and are very distracting.
DON’T wear clothing that is misfitting or needs constant adjustment (e.g. if you zipper doesn’t stay closed and you keep paying attention to that, you run the risk of getting continuously distracted)
DON’T wear branded clothing – logos are often the first thing someone will notice, which takes their eyes away from the real stars of the show…you and your significant other!
Takeaways
At the end of the day, the most important thing to consider is how you feel. If you are comfortable in an outfit, wear it! Whatever makes you feel most confident will always photograph the best. As the old saying goes, when you look your best, you feel your best! This is truly the case in every session I’ve had.
I hope you take these tips as general guidelines to help you select outfits for your couple’s photoshoot. Over the years I have learned what works well and what does not, I believe this guide further attests to that. If you follow this guide, I am sure that you will be in great shape for our upcoming session!
Happy outfit hunting! I cannot wait to see what you bring to our photoshoot!
Cheers,
Matteo
