What to wear for a personal Branding Photoshoot - 5 tips to help you pick the perfect outfit

Selecting the right outfit for a brand photo session can be very stressful. Many people have no idea what to wear, and to make it worse, being in front of a camera makes most people really nervous. Here are 5 tips on choosing the right outfit for your personal brand session that will help you find just the right outfit for your your shoot.

1. Wear solid colors While picking out your wardrobe, you may find yourself gravitating towards your favourite printed pieces, but this is actually not the best decision. Florals, stripes and polka-dots may look great for your day-to-day wear, but they actually have the opposite effect in brand photography. Prints can sometimes be distracting in photographs, stealing attention away from YOU as the focus of the image, or even clashing with items in the background. Instead, it’s best to wear solid pops of color which complement you without creating too much distraction. However there are always exceptions, and I don’t believe in rules when it comes to fashion! For example a printed piece would look great in a location that isn’t busy or distracting, or maybe you want to showcase a more fun and youthful side in your brand photos. Personally I love prints, especially florals, but again it suits my brand words which are feminine, playful and vibrant. So if you opt to wear a print really think how that piece ties into your brand direction.

2. Do! Accessorize your outfit Jewelry can really elevate an outfit to the next level, making you look even more stylish and polished than your regular day-to-day look. (This is totally the reason why you accessorize for a night out!) Just remember that less is more with jewelry, so keep the number of pieces you wear to a minimum and limit the focal point to one area. For example, don’t wear big earrings together with a big necklace; just choose one and let it speak!

3. Do! Wear your brand colors The purpose of these photos is to use them on your website and other marketing materials, so it’s a good idea to keep your brand colours in mind when choosing your wardrobe. Don’t wear colors that are completely off brand for you because they may end up clashing with the other visual elements of your branding. (ie. try not to wear a hot pink blazer if your colour palette is soft blues and greens)  Good news is you still have creative freedom with how you incorporate your brand colors. You can either wear your colours boldly (for example a tasteful pantsuit so you are one color head to toe) or incorporate them more subtly in your wardrobe (perhaps a scarf or pair of shoes in your brand colours paired with a neutral wardrobe) – it’s up to you!

4. DONT! Wear anything too loose, too tight or uncomfortable The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera because of your clothing choices. Anything too tight, finicky or irritating to the skin will leave you constantly tugging and adjusting the garment, which would result in clothing that appears ill fitting on camera and a subject that looks quite uncomfortable. As a photographer, the last thing I would want is for my client to feel awkward or nervous in any way. (Photo shoots can be a bit nerve-wrecking as is!) Also keep in mind, most photo shoots can take up to a few hours, so make sure you’ll be comfortable in whatever you’re wearing.

5.    Bring wardrobe options You want to get as much out of a single photo shoot as possible, so make sure to bring multiple pre-styled looks to change into. By bringing extra clothing and tops in particular, you can get a variety of looks in your photos, giving you more choice and a wider range of uses for your final photo collection. Certain items may also be better suited to different lighting conditions or settings, so it’s good to have a number of options to choose from. You may want to bring some dressier and more casual looks with you as well, since they can help to highlight your professionalism, individual personality and sense of style.