The big shoot day is just around the corner, and you don’t know what to wear. In this instance, let’s say you don’t have a wardrobe consultant and are responsible for assembling your outfits. Let me guide you!
There are a few ways to approach this. By now, you should know why you’re doing a personal branding shoot, where you’ll be using these photos, who will be seeing them, and what you want the audience to do or feel after seeing them. This will guide your shoot and the images you take.
If you are starting your photo library from scratch, I highly encourage you to include your brand colors in your outfit. Depending on your style and your shoot goals, this may range anywhere from neutral tones to bold accents in accessories to brightly patterned everything.
Layering your clothes
Begin with your base layer: usually, it’s a plain, neutral top and bottom. Plain doesn’t mean boring. Small embellishments, capped sleeves, a loose turtleneck are all examples of solid-colored, plain clothes.
Then, consider the layers: for example, a blazer if you’re in a formal office setting, a casual fur shrug if you’re more fashion-forward, or a chic sweater for a business casual vibe.
Many photographers limit the number of outfits you can have in a shoot (be sure to check what their definition of an outfit is!). My definition is that if you have to go into a room to change, then that’s an outfit. Blazers, hats, scarves, bags, and other layering accessories are just that: accessories. A leather moto jacket would change up your look without counting as a second outfit.
Perform a vibe check
Another approach to outfit planning is to take a “vibe check.” What are the photoshoot vibes? Are they organic, natural, and calm? Or are they more Miami Beach, nightlife party, and energetic? The outfits for these two shoots would be wildly different. Contrasting outfits in the same shoot are also possible, but discuss this with your photographer so they can help you plan.
Shoot frequency
Something else to consider is how often you’ll be refreshing these photos. For heavy content creators, a shoot must include plenty of outfits. But if you’re using the images for a website refresh, you may not want to shoot every year (totally up to you!). With this in mind, focus on the outfit’s style. Don’t go for the on-trend fashion moment if this will be your bio photo for the next five years. This is not to say you can’t have a fun look—far from it! In fact, I highly encourage my clients to go for colors and patterns—as long as they feel like the clothing is more classic/long-lasting than whatever the current trend is. Vintage is always a great option.
Lastly, try out the outfits before the shoot. Pose in the mirror. Feel how comfortable or uncomfortable you are in them. Your discomfort will show on the camera, so don’t suddenly change your style.
Outfit checklist for your next personal branding photoshoot
If two outfits are allowed in your shoot, then I recommend one that is “business” and the other “casual.” It’s up to you what business and casual mean. My headshot sessions include two outfits, and my personal branding sessions are unlimited.
Color suggestions:
- Your brand colors
- Neutral tones with pops of color
- Colors that do not blend or clash with the backgrounds you’ll be shooting against
As mentioned earlier, I love patterns, but I know some photographers will dissuade you from wearing them. I say wear whatever makes you feel like you!
Layering suggestions:
- Handbags
- Scarves
- Hats
- Wristwatches
- Jewelry
- Jackets
- Belts
- Sweaters and cardigans
- Blazers
Other accessories include:
- Shoes
- Fancy socks
- Headbands/hair items
And things to keep in mind when you’re testing out the outfits:
- The fabric: Is it easily wrinkled? Do you need to dry clean it religiously and spray it with anti-wrinkling stuff every 15 minutes? Maybe save that one for something else.
- Reflective and shiny items: If that chunky necklace has mini mirrors, it will reflect everything, including your photographer, the sun, and the random person walking by. This goes the same for shiny fabrics.
- How does the fabric drape over you? Can you only sit in one position for the clothing to look good? Does it flatter you?
- How the photos will be cropped. There are many crops for a modern headshot: whole body, at the thighs, waist, and shoulders. If you are going for the classic shoulders and up shot, pay extra attention to the fabric and colors around those areas. Off-the-shoulder tops will make you look naked in these crops!
If, by the end of this, you’re thinking, Wow, I have nothing to wear, don’t sweat. There’s still hope for you! Rental sites like Rent the Runway offer designer clothing at affordable prices. Rent that fancy jumpsuit or velvet red carpet gown you’ve always wanted to wear. Psst: it’s also a marketing expense write-off!
