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Every portrait photography studio offers advice on the best clothing to wear for a session. There are many variables that can influence this selection process.
First, consider the goal of the portrait photography session. Some clients want their portrait photos to command respect, evoke a playful personality, or amplify their story. Choosing an appropriate outfit sets the tone.
Once a portrait photographer understands the creative objective, then they can begin to coordinate the wardrobe. For example, a photo appearing in a magazine article should pop off the page with color!
Are you still trying to find inspiration for your next shoot? Check out the best portrait photography by Phil Kramer in Philadelphia to discover new possibilities.
Aligning stylish portrait photography clothes with your creative vision is a necessary step to success. Some clothing styles are appropriate for certain approaches, while others are ideal elsewhere.
Once a creative goal is set into motion, then portrait photographers and their subjects should start exploring ideas for the wardrobe.
Clothes should fit. This seems like a simple task; however, many portrait photography subjects wear baggy suits or tight dresses. This creates an odd silhouette and body shape.
Visiting a tailor for alterations will ensure that the clothes fit properly. Take the following into consideration:
A subject can arrive with stylish portrait photography clothes, but they need to fit into them. When clothes fit, they accentuate body proportions and create a sleek look. Furthermore, a fitting wardrobe enhances the subjects’ confidence on camera.
Do you need assistance with mentally preparing for the camera? Here are 10 Ways to Feel More Comfortable During Headshot Photography for reference.
In the photo studio, one of our favorite gadgets is the binder clip. If a suit jacket or pant leg is too baggy, then an on-set stylist can tighten the material with a binder clip. While the clips are useful, sometimes they appear in the image and portrait photographers must use Photoshop to erase them.
In summary, make sure your clothing selections fit on your body to enhance each photo. When it fits good, you feel good!
Remember to iron or steam your clothes prior to the portrait photography session. Wearing wrinkled clothes can ruin your appearance. It conveys carelessness.
Transport stylish portrait photography clothes on a hangar.
Traveling with folded clothes in a gym bag or suitcase will cause wrinkles. Avoid wearing the clothes throughout the day, and especially while driving or sitting.
Instead, wear comfortable clothes like sweatpants or hoodies when travelling to your portrait photography session. Upon arrival, change clothes in the private fitting room at the studio.
Invest in a commercial garment steamer to deal with wrinkles in clothes. Our professional photo studio in Philadelphia has a steamer for clients to use. It is one of the many amenities that clients can access when they book a portrait session with Phil Kramer.
Yes—wrinkles are fixable in software programs like Photoshop. However, it is a complex and tedious process. Patterned clothes are more difficult to retouch. Steaming clothes to remove wrinkles is easier and less time consuming for portrait photographers.
Nevertheless, wearing wrinkle-free clothing is essential for creating a neat appearance.
By removing these distractions, the viewer's gaze is more likely to focus on the subject's expression and overall composition of the portrait. It is a simple wardrobe tip that enhances the photograph.
Select stylish portrait photography clothes that enable you to pose well in the studio. Outfits with movement can accentuate the body and create an attractive silhouette.
As portrait photographers in Philadelphia, we love to make our clients feel like superstars. An outfit with great movement enables photographers to point a fan on the subject. This effect adds visual interest to a dynamic photo!
Avoid sacrificing too much comfort for fashion points. Sometimes looking your best comes with squeezing into shoes that are too tight or pants that poke into the body. Maintaining focus during a portrait photography session is essential. Find a middle ground between comfort and chic.
Women should consider these fashionable clothing options, which offer great movement:
And for men:
Hunting for a wardrobe with great movement is where clients can get creative with their decisions. Consider the shape of the clothes, the angles they create, and how they frame your body. Try walking in front of a mirror to better visualize the movement of your clothes.
Motion contributes to capturing a natural, candid look. Subjects appear genuine, organic, and relaxed in clothes with movement.
Stiff clothing, like a dress that is too tight, will limit your posing options.
Apply layers of clothes to enhance visual interest. Portrait photographers and their subjects create bold photos when an outfit is rich with texture.
Try to layer clothes with accent colors and unique fabrics that compliment your style.
Instead of a bulky white tee shirt, wear a blue button-down shirt with a casual single-breasted blazer. Layering clothes can add angles that slim the subject’s body. The intersection of a button-down shirt and blazer is more visually interesting than a plan t-shirt.
Try these combinations of stylish portrait photography clothes for your next session:
Of course, wearing layers is a safe option and starting point. Some men and women arrive with glamorous dresses or shirts that photograph well on camera!
However, adding layers of clothes and accessories can salvage a mediocre look like a basic tee shirt or button-up.
Layers are ideal for outdoor photography sessions. Wear scarves, gloves, and a coat on top of a cozy sweater in the Winter season to stay warm.
On the contrary, wear breathable materials like linen or silk during the Spring/Summer. Use layers to improve your comfort during the portrait photos.
Whether your portrait photography session is in the studio or at a venue, earth-tone colors work against most backgrounds. This is the safest wardrobe option to look your best.
When portrait photographers mention “earth-tone” colors, a few examples include:
This color palette is versatile. They enhance skin tones, add visual impact, and carry a subtle elegance. Also, these colors are easy to match in a stylish outfit.
Whether warm or cool, the undertones of earthy colors enhance the subject’s complexion. These color palettes provide a flattering contrast to skin tones, which draws attention to the subject’s facial features.
Earth-tones adapt well to different backgrounds and settings. If you’re unsure of the exact location of your photo session, then stick to earth-tone clothes. This is a flexible color palette when posing for portrait photography at a venue with multiple backgrounds options.
Whenever arranging a color scheme for your portrait photography wardrobe, try to evoke a natural harmony between them.
Add a splash of color where it makes sense. Try to avoid tpo many distractions since this will detract the viewers’ eye from the subject.
One of the most popular questions that clients ask our photo studio is “should I wear black or white clothes?”
Let’s begin with black.
Most people wear black because it is professional and slims the subject. However, portrait photographers always slim their subjects’ waists, arms, and legs using programs like Photoshop. Never wear black with the intention of appearing slimmer in the photos since this detail is easily fixable in post-production.
Wear black clothes with a rich texture. When photographers enhance the photo, the texture will stand out. If you’re posing against a black background, then you’ll want to avoid wearing black as you’ll blend into it.
Now, let’s discuss white.
Wearing white clothes feels clean, precise, and simple. Body frames are more visible in white clothing. This color is a challenge to keep clean, too. The camera will catch stray hairs, wrinkles, and stains that appear on white clothes.
It is easy for white clothes to become overexposed and look too bright in the photo. Unlike black, white clothes reflect light, which could cause excessive hot spots or glaring. Portrait photographers need to tweak their lighting to find a good balance.
Also, avoid wearing white clothes if you’re posing against a white background. There is a real risk of blending into the background. White lacks visual interest, so implement rich textures and layers to add dimension.
Black and white can work as a color palette, but you should plan accordingly with the photographer. Sometimes black or white clothes can work very well against extraordinary backgrounds.
If you’re comfortable wearing black or white in a portrait session, and the wardrobe aligns with your personality—then go for it!
Deciding on the best stylish portrait photography clothes is a difficult decision. However, it is important to choose an outfit that aligns with your authentic personality. Staying true to yourself will dictate how well you perform for the camera.
Clothing is a form of self-expression. It communicates a small portion of someone’s identity and draws speculation. A navy-blue suit and a grunge leather jacket can set opposite first impressions.
Wear necklaces, rings, or other forms of jewelry with sentimental meaning. Including these valuable items makes each portrait photo feel more authentic to you. Close friends and family will recognize you for the jewelry pieces or accessories that you wear every day.
The best portrait photographs have a visual narrative. They speak for themselves. Pick clothes and style them to convey your personal story. Ask yourself: “Does this outfit command the spotlight at first glance?”
Finally, select an outfit that closely aligns with your personal style preferences. Portrait photographers want subjects to arrive with maximum confidence. When individuals feel comfortable and confident in their clothing choices, it reflects in their posture, expression, and overall demeanor.
Feeling stuck between outfit combinations is stressful.
The best solution is to bring about 2-3 outfit options to your portrait photography session. This approach enables you to discuss clothing with the photographer before posing on set.
Remember: it is always beneficial to have clothes with visual diversity.
Sometimes strict time constraints make it difficult to bring other clothing options. As a time saving method, arrive in your favorite outfit. Try to avoid getting it dirty! Bring another outfit as a back-up to quickly change.
Small accessories like ties or necklaces are easily interchangeable. Always bring multiple accessories to get an opinion before putting them on.
During group portrait photography sessions, multiple clothing options is helpful for photographers. Posing subjects in a group photo is like a puzzle. You need to play with all the pieces and see how they will inevitably fit. If a subject’s wardrobe could improve to enhance the group portrait, then changing is necessary.
Read 5 Tips to Enhance a Group Portrait Photo to prepare for your group session.
Managing to arrive at a photo studio, especially in Philadelphia, is time consuming and stressful. Upon entering, slow down the pace and review your array of wardrobe options with the photographer.
In disciplines such as medicine or science, a white lab coat is an honorable symbol of expertise. The white lab coat is earned through years of hard work. Many associate it with credibility and trust.
For these reasons, doctors, practitioners, and scientists want to wear their white lab coat in the photo. As portrait photographers, we fully understand their perspective. Especially if the portrait photos will appear in a widespread magazine publication.
A white lab coat is a positive first impression that elevates level of your professionalism. In this garment, subjects appear as figures of authority. Depending on where the photo appears, viewers may want this type of reassurance.
Against a neutral studio background color, white lab coats compliment the clean and crisp appearance. This maintains a consistent aesthetic. However, wearing a white lab coat for portrait photography at a venue may feel out of place.
On the contrary, there are also reasons to avoid posing in a white lab coat.
First, the white lab coat is very boxy. It fails to accentuate the body and looks like a white rectangle on your body. There are plenty of stylish portrait photography clothes that can enhance your image better than a white lab coat.
On top of this, the white lab coat is very common in portraits of medical professionals. Your portrait photo may struggle to distinguish itself from others. You can wear stylish attire, like suits and dresses, and still communicate that you’re a medical professional.
White lab coats lack personality. Fashion is freedom. It is ever-changing and a chance to express yourself. The white lab coat neutralizes this with its clinical appearance.
Hopefully, these wardrobe tips are helpful as you plan your upcoming portrait photography session.
Phil Kramer, a professional photographer in Philadelphia, specializes in portrait, fashion, lifestyle, and wedding photography. He possesses over 40 years of experience in the field. Clients include Discover Lancaster, Reybold, Philadelphia Style, and American Cancer Society.
Contact the studio and book Phil Kramer to capture your portrait.
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