8 Photographer Tips: What to Wear for Portraits

More from our mini-series of expert advice, and by the way, for those of you with score cards at home,… we don’t run around referring to ourselves as experts. We try to live humble lives where we work hard to be good at what we do. We just happen to have done this for so long, we know “some stuff.”

So today, I’m giving the 8 key pieces of info about what to wear to a professional portrait session. When it comes to what to wear for portraits, pretty much anything goes. But we know lots of Moms and teenagers stress when it comes to planning what to wear when in front of the camera.

1. Don’t be afraid to wear color. Colors in outdoor portraits that coordinate with the season look better than a wardrobe of black and white.
Arnold family outdoor spring peach orchard photos by Pixels On Paper Portrait Photographers photoThe Arnold family dressed perfectly during their spring, orchard portrait session. And the Church family’s autumn session is coordinated perfectly too.

pixels on paper, portrait photography, family portrait photography, outdoor portrait photography, family portraits, wilkesboro, north carolina, photo

 2. For adults, stick with wearing solids rather than prints. Leave prints, stripes and florals for young kids.
Pixels on Paper Photography outdoor portrait garden photo
 3. Not everyone needs to wear the same color. Write that down! Hee!
Complimentary colors and shades work great especially for large families.

4. Wearing black or white along with khaki or denim are best in studio portraits or outdoors if you want a classic, traditional and timeless look.
Keeping it neutral allows personalities to shine through.
Allen Outdoor Family Portrait PhotographySticking with the white, here is sweet Sawyer in his 6 month portrait session.

5. Shoes can most often date a photo more than any other piece of wardrobe. If the weather and surroundings lend itself, considering going with bare feet or stick with classic solid leather styles for adults and children. Children’s tootsies are so delicious (Ryan and I routinely munch on Finley’s….. his are just right for snackin’), if they can be outdoors and shoe-free, do it!
pixels on paper charlotte nc outdoor family portrait photographers photo

6. Women, don’t forget accessories such as scarves or fashion jewelry. These items work great to tie in your color choices.

Parker Outdoor Family Portrait Photography

Allen Outdoor Family Portrait Photography photo

7. We prefer to have a consult to discuss your portraits prior to when they occur. We can help you coordinate your wardrobe taking into consideration where the photos will take place as well as where you will be hanging portraits in your home. Don’t hesitate to lay out your clothing options all together and send us a cell phone photo. We will help approve or make suggestions!

8. We also have a helpful “What to wear” Pinterest board for inspiration. Bear these in mind and you’ll look brilliant!


We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden. Pixels on Paper photographs, engagements and weddingsbrides, and special events and portraits  of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.

88x31 lucy & glens valle crucis wedding photography | pixels on paper boone wedding photographers

All photos are ©2018 Pixels On Paper. Do not copy, crop, or remove watermark.

Comments are Disabled