- Chaz Medlock
- May 3
- 4 min read
You booked the shoot. You picked the location. And then a few days out, the question always shows up: "What do I wear?"
It's the most common question we get at CMV Media whether it's a family session, a couples shoot, a headshot, a brand shoot, or something for a content creator. And here's the truth: what you wear changes how your photos turn out more than most people realize. The right outfit makes everything work better. The wrong one can quietly water down a shoot you were excited about.
Here's a simple guide that works for any kind of shoot.
1. Match the vibe of your shoot
Before you start picking clothes, think about what the shoot is actually for. A LinkedIn headshot, a family Christmas card photo, an engagement session at the beach, and content for your small business all want different energy. Dress for the moment.
A few quick examples:
Headshot: clean and professional. A solid color shirt or blazer, simple and tailored. What you'd actually wear on a workday.
Family or couples photos: Coordinate, don't match. Pick a soft color palette together creams, denim, soft greens, muted blues and dress in that range.
Engagement shoot: something you feel great in, slightly elevated from everyday. A nice dress, a button-down, something romantic.
Brand or content shoot: something on-brand for you. Is your style warm and casual? Is it polished and modern?.
If you're not sure what fits, just ask. We're happy to help you figure it out before the shoot.
2. Solid colors beat patterns almost every time
This is the most reliable wardrobe rule for photos: solid colors usually look better than patterns.
Why? Patterns can do strange things on camera. Stripes can warp. Small prints get busy and pull the eye away from your face. A solid piece especially one with a little texture gives the photo room to breathe and keeps the focus where it should be which is on you. If you really love a patterned piece, wear it for one of your outfits not all of them.
3. Bring more than one outfit
A common mistake is showing up with a single outfit. Bring at least two, ideally three. It's an easy way to multiply how much you walk away with one shoot, more variety, more photos to actually use.
A simple way to plan three:
Outfit 1: the safe one. Whatever feels most like you on a regular day.
Outfit 2: dressed up a notch. A blazer, a nicer top, a dress.
Outfit 3: something you don't usually wear but love. A bolder color, a statement piece, a fun jacket.
Bring everything on hangers in a garment bag if you can. We'll look together and pick what works on the day.
4. What to leave at home
A few things almost never work for photos:
Logos and big graphics. They date the photo, distract from your face, and clash with anything you'll use the photos for later.
Bright pure white in direct sun. White can blow out and lose detail. Cream or off-white reads better on camera.
Brand-new clothes with the creases still in. Steam them the night before fold lines show up under good light.
Anything you haven't tried on this season. A surprise fit issue right before the shoot is the worst kind of stress. Try every piece on a few days ahead.
Sunglasses for the whole shoot. They cover the eyes, and the eyes are usually the best part of the photo.
5. Don't forget the small stuff
The frame is bigger than the outfit. Little things make a real difference:
Skin. Drink water the day before. If you wear makeup, keep it close to your everyday but a little more defined cameras tend to flatten things out.
Hair. Wash the night before, not the morning of. Day-two hair photographs better than hair that's just been blow-dried.
Nails. Clean and short, or freshly done. Hands end up in more shots than you'd expect.
Shoes. Yes, even when you don't think we'll see them. We probably will.
6. Comfort counts more than you think
If you're not comfortable, it shows on your face. Skip anything too tight, too short, too itchy, or anything you'll keep tugging at. The goal is to feel like a slightly upgraded version of yourself not someone you're trying to be. If you can, wear the outfit around the house for ten minutes before the shoot. You'll know quickly whether it's a yes.
7. The night before, do these three things
Steam every outfit. A small handheld steamer is around $25 and saves the day.
Lay it all out. Outfit, shoes, jewelry, accessories. Try it on once. Make sure the whole look works together.
Pack a small kit. Lint roller, water, a snack, phone charger, anything you might need. Photoshoots take longer than people expect.
Do those three and you'll walk in calm. It always shows in the photos.
The short version: dress for the kind of shoot you're doing, lean on solid colors, bring more outfits than you think, and pay attention to the small stuff. Do that and you'll walk away with photos that look like the best version of you.
Ready to book your shoot? Let's talk → https://www.cmvisuals.co/contact-us