If you were to list the top FAQs for portrait photographers, “What do I wear for a photoshoot?” would be right up there.
Part of being an awesome portrait photographer is anticipating your clients’ questions and concerns and being ready with answers. Bonus points if you have the answers before they even ask. Which is why having a what to wear post on your blog or a style guide you can send to prospective clients is so important.
People want to look great in their photos, and styling is part of a great photoshoot experience. Here’s what to include for a what to wear blog post or style guide that will help clients choose outfits they love and that will mesh well with your artistic style.
Guidelines
First of all, give a few general guidelines. You probably have a few favorites, like:
- Dress mom first
- Choose 3-4 colors
- Opt for solids
- Choose neutrals if you’re not sure
Rules of thumb like this can give clients parameters to work with as they choose their outfits, while still allowing them the creativity to own their style. And remember to tell them why these guidelines work well. People are more likely to take your advice when they have a vision of the why behind it.
Inspiration and Ideas
Even with some guidelines, your clients will appreciate some inspiration from an expert. As a photographer, you’ve probably seen your share of stunning outfit choices. You don’t have to go over all of these, but scattering a couple of specific wardrobe examples throughout your writing can conjure up a vivid image and get your clients’ mind working. Include some detailed outfit suggestions. For example, “If casual maternity photos are more your thing, jeans and a pretty bra are the perfect way to show off your bump. Paint a word picture and feel free to include images that give visual examples of a variety of favorite style choices.
And speaking of images…
Images
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. You’ll want to provide images throughout your “What to Wear” post to illustrate your points. But another great way to guide clients is with your Pinterest boards or portfolio. It’s easy to include a link to resources that make it easy for clients to see your style across several different photoshoots and inspire them with ideas of their own.
Practical Advice
Photos may be all about appearance, but you also want your clients to enjoy the experience. When choosing what to wear, they’re probably thinking about how it will look and not necessarily how it will perform. Clients may not think about little details like the weather or destinations that require a bit of a walk. It’s up to you to remind them of the logistics! Practical advice, such as: “Babies are unpredictable, so bring an outfit change just in case little one has an accident during their session” can avert disaster, show off your experience (you’ve seen it all!) and impress clients with a much more smooth and seamless photoshoot.
Permission
You may love neutrals, but that doesn’t mean everyone does. Unless you absolutely bar bright colors or bold patterns, let your clients know that they should wear whatever they love and feel comfortable in. This can help put clients at their ease and feel like they can approach you if they have ideas that are a bit different than your usual style.
Your Portrait Style
Of course, while you want to leave room for your clients’ own vibe to shine through, don’t forget that they chose YOU to take their pictures. As you’re figuring out what to include in your what to wear blog post or style guide, take your own portrait style into consideration. There are plenty of bland “What to Wear for Your Photography Session” posts out there that could probably apply to any studio. So inject your post with your own style and personality. Of course your clients have the last say in their outfit choices, but remember, they want to know what YOU recommend they wear.
Your Offerings
If you have a client wardrobe, don’t make a secret of it! Knowing that you have maternity gowns, newborn headbands and swaddles, or a variety of fun cake smash outfits can take the pressure off clients. Let them know that you can help them out with what to wear. While you don’t need to dive into all the details in your killer “what to wear” post, this is a great opportunity to link to your webpage or blog post describing the many options in your client closet.
Reassurance
Not everyone loves having their picture taken. And even the most confident among us probably feel a little self-conscious about some part of our personal appearance. Help your clients feel comfortable in their own skin by addressing potential concerns. Let them know what they can expect as far as touchups. Talk about the range of sizes in your client closet. And include photos that show some diversity so clients know that you help a wide variety of people look and feel beautiful!
Options
Do you have a consultation beforehand to help clients decide what to wear? How many outfit changes do you usually squeeze in during a session? Little details like these can help people stress less, knowing what to expect and what their options are.
Little Details
You’d be surprised how many people show up for their session in a great outfit…paired with a mangy old pair of sneakers. Actually, you’re a photographer—maybe you wouldn’t be surprised at all. In any case, make sure to mention little details (like shoes and accessories) that your clients might not think about.
Hair and Makeup Tips
Speaking of little details, you can also remind clients to make sure they look their best by paying attention to their hair, nails, and makeup. Play up your own hair and makeup services if you offer them. If not, that’s okay. Give clients a few tips for getting ready for their big day, like advising them to get a trim a couple of weeks in advance so they have time to get used to their new look.
Location Considerations
Do you offer multiple location options for shoots? If so, let clients know that their choice of location may influence their outfit choices. If you do lots of snowy winter photoshoots, tell them what colors will work well against that bright white background. If they’ll be at the studio, let them know if you have a variety of backdrops to match any outfit, or if your studio style is more minimal, emphasizing bold solid colors and silhouettes.
Positives
As you’re writing your what to wear post or style guide, remember to emphasize the positive. In other words, focus on what they should wear, not on the no-nos. If you do want to point out something they shouldn’t wear, keep it vague in comparison with what they should wear, so that the image in their mind is the right one.
If you say, “Please, for the love of Mike, do not have your entire family show up in blue jeans and white t-shirts,” your clients may just pick up on the “blue jeans and white t-shirts” part, and show up in exactly what you were hoping to avoid.
Instead, try something like, “Skip the matching outfits. Think coordination instead. For example, if Mom is wearing a blue dress with pink flowers, maybe Dad can wear a neutral color that coordinates well with the blue (browns and blues usually work well together) and daughter can wear a solid pink dress.” Your clients won’t necessarily show up in exactly what you recommended, but they’re more likely to remember the idea of coordinating vs. matching, because you’ve paired it with a mental image.
Confidence
Once you’ve given them everything they need to choose the perfect outfits for their photoshoot, remind your clients that they’ve got this! These tips will help them look and feel their best for their portrait session—and they’re welcome to reach out to you if they have questions or need extra guidance. After all, the really important thing about pictures isn’t the clothes, but the memories. No matter what they choose, you’re going to help them capture their family’s important moments and it’s going to be an amazing experience!
Next time you get that “What should I wear for my photoshoot?” question, you’ll be able to refer your clients to your super detailed what to wear post or style guide—complete with guidelines and inspiration to create a look for their family portraits that is both true to them and in tune with your artistic vibe.
Need help writing that amazing what to wear post? Get in touch! I’d love to help you organize your studio-specific suggestions into a unique and well-written blog post that impresses your clients and makes your life easier. And hey, if you’ve totally got this and want to write it yourself, please drop me a link to your post in the comments—I’d love to read it!
