What to Wear for Your Portrait Session

Here are a few thoughtful tips to help you prepare and get the absolute most out of your portrait session. If you have a question or concern not addressed here, please contact the studio for assistance!

Clothing

When dressing multiple people, focus on coordinating your attire rather than wearing matching "uniforms." Choose tones that harmonize effortlessly, or build your group's look around a cohesive color palette.

Solid colors and subtle patterns generally work best. Simple, classic combinations—like rich jewel tones or soft neutrals paired with denim—translate beautifully on camera. When in doubt, feel free to ask us for guidance!

Accessories & Details

Accessories bring a look together, but they should complement —not distract— from you.

For Women: Consider how your jewelry pairs with your neckline. Whether you prefer classic pearls or a modern statement piece, pay close attention to where a necklace rests against your top or dress.
For Men: A sharp, well-fitted tie can instantly elevate a portrait, whereas an overly loud pattern can draw the eye away from your face.

Details matter! Take a moment to view your entire outfit as a complete, balanced look.

Hair & Styling

Haircuts: If you plan to get a haircut or trim before your session, schedule it about a week in advance. This gives your hair a few days to settle into a natural, relaxed look.
Styles: Stick with a hairstyle you already know and love. Session day isn't the ideal time to try a brand-new look—if you don't feel like yourself, you won't love your portraits.
Retouching: Concerned about stray hairs or a receding hairline? Rest assured, these minor details can easily be refined during our professional retouching process.

Footwear

Unless you are booking a headshot-only session, your shoes and socks will likely be visible in full-length shots. Choose footwear that seamlessly coordinates with your outfit.

Outdoor Session Tip: If we are shooting on location, you may be walking through grass, dirt, or gravel. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes to navigate the terrain, then swapping into your dress shoes or heels once we arrive at our exact spot!

Skin & Makeup

Complexion & Tanning: Don't worry about unexpected blemishes; skin touches are standard in our retouching process. If you plan to spray tan or lay out before your session, allow a few days for your skin tone to settle into a natural glow.
Makeup: Camera lighting softens makeup slightly, so applying it just a touch heavier than your everyday routine works wonderful on camera. Focus on defining your eyes, and double-check for mascara clumps.
Avoid Glitter: Please avoid makeup, lotions, or hair products containing glitter or shimmer—on camera, tiny glints of glitter can inadvertently look like flaking skin or dandruff.

Glasses & Eyewear

We take great care to manage glare on camera. Anti-reflective lenses are ideal, or you may choose to remove your eyewear for part (or all) of the session.

Transition Lenses: Please be aware that transition lenses darken quickly outdoors, even on overcast days. If possible, bring a non-transition pair of glasses. If that isn't an option, let us know ahead of time so we can plan your session around deeply shaded areas to minimize the darkening effect.

A senior portrait taken with transition glasses. We have several techniques we use to compensate for the lenses getting darker, but they work best out of bright sunlight.

Dental Appliances & Braces

Clear Aligners: If you wear Invisalign or clear retainers, please remember to remove them just before we begin shooting. Though subtle, clear aligners can still catch the light in portraits.
Braces: If you wear traditional braces and would like them digitally removed from your final images, let us know in advance (note: advanced retouching fees apply).

Last Minute Touch Ups

Just before we begin, take a quick moment in front of the mirror:

Straighten your necklace, collar, or tie.
Reapply lipstick or lip balm.
Check your teeth and smooth down any stray hairs.

Note: Professional/Corporate Portraits

For corporate and personal branding portraits, polished professional attire is strongly recommended (unless your industry favors a casual look).

For Men: At minimum, a crisp dress shirt and tailored trousers work well. Add a tie, sport coat, or full suit depending on the level of formality you wish to convey.
For Women: An office-appropriate dress with a tailored blazer, or a classic blouse paired with trousers or a skirt, creates a timeless silhouette.

Stick to classic cuts and non-trending patterns. Timeless neutrals like black, charcoal, navy, brown, and cream always look sophisticated. A subtle splash of color—via a tie, pocket square, or scarf—adds personality without distracting from your face.

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