More than any other question, clients always ask what they should wear during their portrait session.
Here are some tips to help you with styling.

FOR MEN

Dress shirts, crew necks and textured sweaters. Also suits and blazers. 

You can create contrast by layering a t-shirt, collared shirt, and/or leather jacket.

Plain colours are your best choice.
Patterns or prints distract and can date your photo. Avoid these.

Choose neutral or mid-tone colours - white, light blue, light pink

Avoid wearing tops in flesh tones (cream, beige, pastels, peach or yellow) as they will blend your face into your clothes. If you have dark skin you can generally get away with any colour, but avoid anything close to your skin tone. 

Ties look best when their tone lands between the suit and the shirt - so a light shirt, a dark suit, and a tie in a shade somewhere between them. Some ties are too shiny - try to stay away from really reflective, shiny, silk ties. If you don't wear a tie, choose a non-white shirt if possible: white shirts without a jacket and tie to break them up can lose detail in the colour and folds. 

If you wear a button-down shirt, it's best to wear a jacket or sweater of some kind to layer the look. If not, choose a darker colour shirt or something with pockets or details to avoid it looking like a head floating on a blank, boxy shirt

You may want to use hair spray, gel, and other products to tame frizz and make your hair look healthy. Make sure to avoid products that give a matte look. These are fine for some situations, but not for a photo shoot. Matte finished hair will look dull and lifeless in pictures. Instead, use hair products that enhance shine.

FOR WOMEN 

Business suits and other professional clothing, stretchy tops, sweaters, v-necks. 

Plain colours are your best choice. Patterns or prints distract and date your photo. 

Choose mid- tone colours in blue, green, wine and purple because they are universally flattering.

Avoid wearing tops in flesh tones (cream, beige, pastels, peach or yellow) as they will blend your face into your clothes. If you have dark skin you can generally get away with any colour, but avoid anything close to your skin tone. 

A modest v-neck is universally flattering because it lengthens the neck. 

Opt for blouses with sleeves. 

Fine to medium gauge knits work really well too because they introduce textural interest. 

If you choose to wear a jacket, pair it with a collarless top. This is modern and keeps the neckline simple and sleek. Crisply ironed shirts by themselves frame the face really well.

SAY YES TO:

TEXTURE

Add some visual interest to your images with unique fabrics. Some examples: lace, cable knits, chambray, tweed, herringbone, chambray, faux fur, wool

LAYERS AND ACCESSORIES

These are the quickest way to take your outfits from average to amazing! Think blazers, cardigans, belts and jewellery.

FITTED CLOTHING

We don’t want your clothing to be too baggy or too tight. Properly fitted clothing looks put together and will show your shape. For women, your upper half and lower half should be balanced: so for instance, blousy shirt + skinny pants, or tight shirt + flowing skirt.

CLASSIC CHOICES

Try to steer away from current trends, since they’ll date your photos 10 years from now.

SAY NO TO:

BRIGHT WHITE

If you love white, try off-white or ivory instead.

NEON COLORS

These create skin tone/color cast issues.

LOGOS & TEXT

Words will draw attention away from your faces.

SHORT-SLEEVED T-SHIRTS

Button-down or structured shirts generally look better in photos. If you have your heart set on a t-shirt, try layering a blazer on top.

TINY PLAID & COMPLICATED PATTERNS

These don’t always translate well in-camera.