What to wear and prepare for a photo session


Sometimes we get so inspired by photos that we see on Pinterest or Instagram, so when we do our own photo session we expect the same style/level photos. Also sometimes we underestimate the amount of preparations behind. So here I want to share some tips that will help you to reach the same result:


1. Clothes.

It’s 30% of a successful photo session. I ask my clients to check with me 1 week before the shooting day that we have time to adjust if needed. Please, take photos of yourself in 3-5 favourite outfits, including shoes and accessories. You can ask somebody to take a picture of you at full height or make a selfie in a mirror. 

Give preference to a loose fit, plain or monochromatic clothes in calm tones (like black, white, grey, beige, brown, deep blue, deep red and deep green, etc.), without prints, stripes. Oversized is better than tight. Clothes mustn’t limit movements. In portrait sessions, the focus on a shoot should be on a personality and character.

What looks good?

  • White or light tones classic man’s shirt
  • Oversized jeans
  • Oversized blazer or suit
  • Slipdress
  • Oversized sweater
  • Big mannish boots
  • Classic trench or coat
  • Linnen shirts or dresses
  • Asymmetrical tailoring

There is also 2 rules — wear the same colours that you see in nature depending on the season or wear the same colours that you see in the city or at a location. Make sure your clothes are ironed and don’t have a pilling effect (the camera is so catchy it shows things that in real life we don’t pay so much attention to). Don’t buy new clothes right before it is better to choose an option that you feel comfortable with.

For couples and family sessions choose earth tones and neutral colours. For example, beige in photos looks good and rich.


2. Make-up. 

Always necessary! Why? You know that all actors use make-up for videos and photos. It is because a camera takes away the saturation of the image and also shows all small defects of the skin, making them worse. Good news: We are all much more beautiful in real life. Bad news: You need to show with the help of make-up your real beauty through the cam. Even when you see photos of the models with a “no makeup message” — that is not true, they use the nude one.

Use moisturising lip balm and creams every day 5 days before a photo session. Don’t visit a cosmetologist before the shooting.


3. Hair. 

Is also very important. You know that sometimes with the best makeup we are not happy if our hair doesn’t frame us good. So test different styles, make selfie and choose the best. Don’t try a new style on a photo session, it is better to go with a use-proven one. I also suggest to not do a hair cut right before.


4. Hands.

I advice to put some oil, wax or cream to smooth ur skin and cuticle. Make sure that you refreshed your manicure before the shoot. Also it’s nice when colour of a nail polish is part of your look. Nude tones of french or even without suits to everything.


Apart from the list above sleep good before a photoshoot, a good mood is a part of a nice journey. Here I prepared a check list for your preparation

Check-list