Tips on Choosing your outfit/s for your personal branding photoshoot / video session
When planning a branding photoshoot, what you wear plays a major role in the message you want to convey. Your outfit should reflect your personality, your brand’s values, and the overall tone you want to set in your photos. Here’s a guide on how to choose the perfect outfit, from colors to patterns, to make sure you look polished and professional.
Colour
Your Brand Colours & Reflections
One of the most effective ways to tie your outfit to your brand is by incorporating your brand colours. Whether you choose a full outfit in these hues or include subtle accents (like jewelry, scarves, or shoes), it helps create visual consistency across your website, social media, and marketing materials. If your brand’s colour palette includes bold colours, try wearing one statement piece in that colour while keeping the rest of your outfit neutral to avoid overwhelming the image. You also need to consider the photoshoot location, if your location house has particularly bold coloured walls, your outfit will need to compliment them.
Not all colours will work equally well on camera, especially when it comes to how they reflect on your face. Soft colours like pastels, earth tones, or jewel tones tend to photograph well and are flattering on most skin tones. Avoid neon shades as they can cast unwanted colour onto your skin. If you’re unsure, classic colors like navy, burgundy, and soft blues are always a safe choice.
Patterns
to Stripe or not to Stripe
Patterns can be tricky in photos. Stripes, especially narrow ones can create a visual effect called moiré that causes distortion on camera. If you love stripes, opt for wider like this example below, bolder ones to avoid this issue. Alternatively, consider simple patterns like small polka dots or subtle textures like tweed or linen, which photograph well and add dimension without being distracting.
Textures
Less Commonly considered
Usually less considered but it's always good to think about the textures and fabrics of your outfit. Matte fabrics tend to photograph better than shiny ones, as the latter can reflect light in unflattering ways. Textured fabrics, such as wool, cotton, or linen, add depth to the image and avoid the harsh glare that synthetic or glossy materials can create ( as well as being better for the environment). Texture is also a really emotive sense within a photograph; soft wools can be read as cosy, warm, friendly whereas a linen suit may read more leadership and power so be really clear on the tone of voice you wish to narrate.
timeless
trends pass, fast
It can be tempting to wear the latest trend, but unless you have your branding photos updated regularly, you're better opting for a timeless look so that you don't end up hating your photos in six months time. Plain colours, a staple jeans /trouser or dress in your wardrobe is always a great choice. Blue jeans and a white shirt has been around for decades and it's not going to fade any time fast. If you've agreed with your photographer that you'll have one or more outfit changes throughout the shoot, then consider choosing outfits that portray different sides of your business or if you'd like to be seen as a leader within your industry but also want to show your audience your softer side, choose an outfit for each; this also gives you greater diversity within your gallery and your gallery will last you much longer.
above all
Comfort & confidence
Above all, you really do need to feel comfortable within your outfits, don't be tempted to squeeze into the smaller size because as soon as you capture a seated pose, you'll not only feel uncomfortable but it will show in the images; especially within video capture. Try on your outfit choices and look in the mirror, ask yourself how you feel wearing the outfit, if words like confident, tall and proud come up, then it's a keeper, if you're constantly fiddling, touching your tummy, questioning it, have a chat with your photographer who will be able to help you, feeling good is integral to a successful shoot day.
