The question I’m asked most before a portrait session is what to wear. The honest answer is: whatever you’d wear on a good day doing the thing you love. But a few things help.
Wear what you feel like yourself in
A new shirt bought for the shoot almost always shows. People hold themselves differently in clothes they’re not used to. Your favourite shirt, the abaya or jacket you wear to work, the apron with the paint on it: these tell the viewer something true about you.
A few things that photograph well
- Plain, mid-tone colours: navy, olive, rust, grey, cream.
- Texture: linen, cotton, denim, a light knit.
- Light layers you can take off when we step from an air-conditioned room into the sun.
- Shoes you can walk in. We usually walk.
A few that don’t
- Small, tight patterns and thin stripes, which shimmer on screen.
- Big logos and slogans, which pull the eye away from your face.
- Anything you’ll spend the session tugging at.
If you’re not sure, bring two options in a bag. We’ll decide together in the first five minutes.
For work portraits
If we’re photographing you at work, wear what you actually work in. A chef in clean whites looks staged; a chef with a tea towel over the shoulder looks like a chef.
And if you’re nervous, tell me. Most people are. We’ll start with a walk and a coffee, and I won’t lift the camera until you’re ready.
