What to Wear in Photos?
Photo by Katie Jones
Nineteen months of a pandemic, three significant haircuts and pairs of glasses later, I am finally going for updated professional photos. (Yes, I too asked ‘what to wear’. It’s a process for us all!) We are photographed more frequently and casually than ever before due to cell phones and social media. However, a photoshoot is a horse of a different color and worth pregaming for excellent results.
Reasons we sit for professional photos include:
Holiday cards to mail far and wide
Engagement photos for print
Family portraits for years of display
Corporate headshots when starting a job search or announcing a new gig
It’s been a while and you look NOTHING like your last pic
You know the saying; ‘Every picture tells a story’. Given your agenda, it pays to think carefully about the story you want to tell with your clothes. Photos are taken to make a literal lasting impression. You don’t likely want them to scream a certain era, nor overwhelm your presence.
My advice:
Wear something you love and feels physically good. Even if you’re more formal than usual, choose a version you are comfortable in, appreciate the color of, etc. We all know the feeling of wearing uncomfortable clothes. Why risk transmitting that energy to the final result?
Jewel tones, rich colors and even pastels work well. Avoid wearing white. I’m no technophile, but white messes with the light and editing in a photo and blows out detail.
Avoid busy, bright and small prints. See above re editing, but also, prints can look dated in ways solids don’t.
Consider a fitted silhouette. Not tight, not voluminous, fitted. Often we end up seated in photos and can look cut in half or swallowed by lots of fabric. Cropping photos can make for an awkward shape with loose garments. If you do just one thing to prep, make sure your waistline is fitted.
Choose clothing that isn’t super trendy. No need to dress like a stodgy imposter version of yourself, but trends can distract. Recall that capturing YOU is the goal! (Alternatively, go for absolute broke and know that the photo will be a fashion time capsule. Giggle about ‘what I used to wear’ in a year(s) to come. You do you.)
Don’t forget the accessories! In the old days of portraiture, meaningful clues were imbedded in clothing, décor and accessories. Add jewelry, shoes, belts, ties, scarves, watches, cufflinks, etc. Wear enough to catch attention, to tell the story of you, but not so many as to distract. (Or go full Iris Apfel if that’s your thing. No middle ground IMO!)
Ideally, photos serve to effectively and positively communicate your spirit. If the viewer is distracted by visual noise, you’ve missed an opportunity to project yourself, to tell your inner story. Ultimately, you need only decide on the story you wish to tell, then choose the clothes that allow you to do just that. Need help? I’m right here.
- Stephanie Gisondi-Little
