What to wear for your pre-shoot

What you wear shapes a pre-shoot almost as much as where you go. You don’t need a new wardrobe, only a little thought about colour, movement and comfort. These are the things that make the biggest difference in photographs.

Choose colours that suit the place

Soft, natural tones sit well in green landscapes and on the beach, while a single strong colour, a deep red or a mustard yellow, stands out beautifully against mist, stone or sand. Try not to match the background too closely, or you’ll disappear into it.

Complement each other, don’t match

Two outfits in exactly the same colour tend to merge into one shape. Pick tones that sit comfortably side by side instead, and keep to a similar level of dressiness so that one of you doesn’t look ready for a ball and the other for a walk.

Let the fabric move

Flowing fabrics catch the wind and bring life to a photograph: a long skirt, a saree fall, a loose shirt. Stiff or very tight clothes limit how you can sit, walk and hold each other, and that shows.

Keep patterns and logos quiet

Large logos, bold slogans and very fine stripes pull attention away from your faces. Plain fabrics, texture and simple patterns keep the focus where it belongs.

Plan your changes

Two outfits are usually plenty: one relaxed, one dressier. Every change takes time away from photographs, so think about where you’ll change and bring what you need to do it quickly. Comfortable shoes for walking between spots are never a mistake.

Above all, be comfortable

If you feel like yourself, it shows. Wear something you can move, sit and laugh in, and the photographs will take care of themselves.