Dress with intention
What To Wear
What you wear shapes how you feel — and how you feel shapes every photograph. This guide is here to help you choose outfits that feel authentically you, photograph beautifully, and stand the test of time.
Universal principles
What always works
Choose colours that complement each other rather than match exactly. Tonal palettes — soft neutrals, earthy tones, muted jewel hues — photograph with depth and cohesion.
Avoid bold logos, heavy graphics, and neon colours. They draw the eye away from your faces and date quickly.
Texture adds richness to images. Linen, silk, lace, knit, and velvet all catch light beautifully.
Wear something you feel genuinely comfortable in. Confidence reads in every frame.
Bring a second outfit if your session allows. A change of look adds variety and gives you more to choose from.
Colour combinations
What works together
These pairings photograph with depth and cohesion. Use them as a starting point — not a strict rule.
Soft, tonal, and effortlessly cohesive. These tones sit in the same warmth family and layer beautifully without competing.
Warm, rich, and deeply photogenic outdoors. Terracotta and rust against cream creates striking contrast without harshness.
Cool, considered, and contemporary. This palette suits urban settings and studio sessions with a clean, editorial edge.
Deep, moody, and cinematic. One light piece (ivory, cream) anchors the palette and stops it reading as flat in low light.
Quiet, soft, and timeless. Ideal when the subject is the story — newborns, intimate maternity, and tender family moments.
A classic family palette — one anchor colour (navy) with warm neutrals and earthy accents. Everyone coordinates without matching.
- Tonal palettes — colours in the same warmth family
- Texture: linen, silk, velvet, lace, knit
- Muted jewel tones — dusty, desaturated versions of bold colours
- One statement piece, with the rest of the group built around it
- Layers — a jacket, scarf, or wrap adds depth and variety
- Patterns that are subtle — fine stripes, small florals, soft texture weaves
- Neon or fluorescent colours — they cast colour onto skin
- Bold logos and heavy graphics — they date quickly and distract
- Everyone in identical outfits — it reads flat and staged
- Stark white near white walls or bright outdoor backgrounds
- Clashing patterns across multiple people
- Overly formal attire that doesn't reflect how you actually feel
A note on skin tone — warm skin tones glow in earthy, terracotta, and gold-adjacent palettes. Cool skin tones sing in dusty blues, sage, and soft greys. If you're unsure which camp you're in, send me a selfie and I'll point you in the right direction.
By session type
Guidance for your session
Weddings
Timeless · Romantic · EditorialYour wedding attire is already chosen — this is about the details. Consider how your accessories, florals, and bridal party colours will photograph together. Bridesmaids in complementary (not matching) tones create a more editorial, cohesive look. Avoid stark white if your venue has white walls — ivory or warm white photographs with more dimension.
Key tips
Press or steam your dress the morning before — creases are visible in detail shots.
Choose florals that complement your palette rather than contrast sharply with it.
Grooms: a well-fitted suit in navy, charcoal, or warm grey photographs beautifully. Avoid jet black in outdoor settings.
If you're ever unsure, send me a photo of your outfit options before the session. I'm always happy to help you choose.