What to wear for your styled portrait photoshoot

Let’s admit it. Choosing what to wear for your glam portraits can be super stressful! It’s enough to make anyone crazy, even photographers. But finding that perfect outfit is easier with a little bit of guidance.

For Starters

Incorporate layers and clothes with some texture to add visual interest to your look so that you have multiple posing and styling options. Jackets, sweaters, scarves, textured fabrics — all of these things add that extra oomph, making the difference between a basic image and an extraordinary one. 

Choosing clothes that show movement in photographs can make a world of difference for your shoot. Dresses that catch the wind behind you, or jackets that you can work into your poses – open, closed, or wrapped around you. Clothes that show movement not only make images more impactful but also help your posing to give you more variety and options for what to do with your hands and posture.

Accessorize

I can’t stress this enough, accessorize! Accessories are one of the biggest contributors to visual interest in your look. Incorporate Jewelry like earrings, layered necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, and leather-wrapped bracelets. Likewise, Sunglasses, Belts, Scarves, Handbags – all add variety to your images and also give you more posing options.

Bring whatever you have, and we can add them, or not, based on the look. Suspenders, Bowties, Hats – don’t stray too far from your usual style to the point that you aren’t comfortable but think outside the box. Try things you like but wouldn’t always wear that might give your image that extra-wow factor. 

Which Body Shape Are You?

Triangle?

Is your chest narrow? Do you have a well-defined waistline? Is your bust smaller compared to your bottom? If ‘yes,’ then you have a triangular body shape. You need to aim to widen your shoulders and accentuate that waistline. Do so with the help of brightly colored tops with either a boat, square, sweetheart or strapless (tube) neckline. V-necks will work too!

To accentuate your body for the photoshoot, try to avoid wearing loose bottoms and skin-fitting tops. 

Inverted Triangle?

If your shoulders are wider than your hips and if you have a medium to large bust, then you have an inverted-triangle body shape. Your aim should be to make your upper body seem smaller, and you can start by trying on dark-colored clothes. Try wearing tops that have a U or V-neckline, and something that ends right at your hip bone.

Let all your patterns, layers, and ruffles be at the bottom-half of your body, and try to wear your most minimalistic collections for your upper body. As long as you remember this, the camera is going to love you.

Hourglass?

If your waist and bust line are well-defined and of more or less the same width, then you have an hourglass figure. You should try to balance the upper and lower parts of your body. Try on tailored or fitted jackets that fall to your hip bone or wrap dresses. Make sure they aren’t too tight or too baggy. 

While you can pull off almost everything with your body shape, you should stop wearing loose bottoms or tops. These might kill your overall look.

Apple?

If you have a bigger bust, wide waistline, and wide shoulders, then you have an apple figure. If you fall into this category, you need to try on light-colored clothes and try to throw in vertical slimming lines. If you’re about to wear a top, try a V-neck, which ends right below your hip bone. You could also try on A-line dresses that are made from light, flowing fabrics, especially the ones that have high waistlines.

Try to avoid wearing skinny jeans as well as figure-hugging tops and dresses. Instead, try to replace your waist belt with an upper waist belt so you can strike the right balance.

Rectangle?

If your bust and hip line are more or less the same width, and you have a smaller bust and no waist, you have a rectangular body shape. You should try and hide your waistline, and try to make your bust look bigger. Colorful mid to hip length blouses and tops or tunics with large prints should work wonders. They could either have a V-neck or a deep scoop. 

To really shine during your portrait photoshoot, avoid wearing dresses that may be too overarching. These will consume your overall silhouette and will never look great.

Bonus Tips

Short?

If you are short, be careful with proportions. Choose short dresses or dresses with a high waist. Always wear heels to flatter your body.

Tall?

You are lucky! But there are some things that you need to keep in mind. Even if high heels are not a necessity, you can always go for medium-high heels for a more feminine look. Don’t choose dresses that are 3/4 long.

Skinny? 

If you are skinny, things are much easier. But, if you are skinny with no shape, try to choose feminine cuts that will mark your waist. 

Voluptuous? 

If you are voluptuous, don’t choose large dresses and large clothes in general. Choose a dress with cleavage and choose bold colors. 

I hope that by now, you have a better idea of how to dress for your styled portrait photoshoot. Now that you’re shining like the queen you are, all that’s left to do is hold your chin up and smile.