Clothing is the thing clients stress about most and it is genuinely worth some thought, because wardrobe does more to set the tone of a photo than almost any technical decision I make on the day.
Start with fit
A cheap shirt that fits properly beats an expensive one that does not, every single time. Cameras exaggerate looseness around the shoulders and bunching at the waist. If something needs a tailor, that hour is the best money you will spend on the shoot.
Colour rules that actually matter
- Solid colours read cleanly and keep attention on your face
- Mid tones are the most forgiving, very bright white and very deep black both fight the exposure
- Pick colours that sit alongside your brand palette rather than clashing with it
- If your images will have text over them, avoid busy tops that make type unreadable
- One accent colour across the set ties everything together
Patterns to avoid
Tight stripes, small checks and fine herringbone can produce a shimmering interference pattern on a digital sensor. It is called moire and it is a genuine pain to remove afterwards. Larger, softer patterns are fine.
Build looks, not outfits
Think in complete looks rather than individual pieces. A look is the top, the bottom, the shoes, the jacket and whatever you are holding. Layers are useful because removing a jacket gives you a second look in about four seconds.
A simple three look formula
- Look one, elevated. The version of you in the best light for a website hero or a speaking bio.
- Look two, everyday. What you actually wear to work. This is the one that builds trust.
- Look three, relaxed. Softer and more human, ideal for social content and about pages.
The small things people forget
- Steam everything, creases are visible and annoying to retouch
- Check the shoes, they appear in more frames than you expect
- Remove hair ties from your wrist
- Watch for visible bra straps and collar gaps
- Bring a lint roller, especially for black clothing
When in doubt, bring it
Nobody has ever regretted bringing too many options. Lay everything out and we will choose together on the day once we can see the light and the location.
