Table of Contents
Article Summary
Wardrobe is one of the things people stress about most before a brand photography session, and it’s usually because nobody has given them a clear, practical answer to what actually works. Getting it wrong doesn’t just affect how you look in the photos; it can make the whole session feel off before it even starts. This guide covers everything you need to know about what to wear, what to avoid, and how to put your session wardrobe together with confidence.
Wardrobe is one of the questions I get asked most before a brand photography session. And honestly, it makes sense. You’ve invested in a professional session, you’re showing up to be photographed, and the last thing you want is to get there and realise your outfit isn’t working.
The good news is that dressing well for brand photos isn’t about having the most expensive wardrobe or knowing anything about fashion. It’s about a few straightforward principles that make a real difference in how your images turn out. Once you know them, pulling your session wardrobe together gets a lot easier.
Here’s everything I share with my clients before their brand photography sessions in Burlington.
Start With Your Brand, Not Your Wardrobe
Before you open your closet, open your website.
What colours are in your brand palette? What’s the overall feeling of your visual identity, clean and minimal, warm and earthy, bold and energetic? The most effective brand photo wardrobes are chosen to complement that existing aesthetic rather than clash with it.
If your website is built around soft neutrals and you show up in a bright red blazer, the images are going to feel disconnected from the rest of your brand, even if the photos themselves are beautiful. Consistency is the goal. When someone sees your photos on Instagram and then clicks through to your website, everything should feel like it belongs together.
If you’re not sure what your brand colours are, or your branding is still in progress, don’t worry. Neutral tones like cream, white, grey, tan, and navy are safe, versatile choices that work across almost any brand aesthetic and photograph beautifully in both studio and natural light.
The Wardrobe Rules That Actually Matter
Solid colours almost always outperform patterns
This is the single most consistent piece of wardrobe advice I give, and the one that makes the biggest difference. Busy prints, large logos, bold stripes, and complicated patterns draw the eye away from your face, which is the main event in any brand photo.
Solid colours keep the focus where it belongs. They also tend to look cleaner and more timeless in photos, which matters when you’re planning to use these images for the next year or two.
If you love pattern, a subtle texture or a fine, small-scale print can work well. The test is simple: hold the garment at arm’s length and look at it. If the pattern dominates, it’ll dominate in photos too.
Fit matters more than style
Clothes that fit well always photograph better than clothes that don’t, regardless of how much they cost or how stylish they are. A well-fitted simple outfit will outperform an expensive one that pulls, gaps, or hangs awkwardly every single time.
Before your session, try your planned outfits on and move around in them. Sit down, stand up, cross your arms, turn to the side. If anything feels uncomfortable or looks off in the mirror, it’s going to feel uncomfortable and look off in photos too. Trust that instinct and swap it out.
Wear things you actually feel good in
This one sounds obvious but it’s worth saying directly. Confidence shows up in photos. When you’re wearing something that feels right, that feels like you, it changes how you carry yourself and how relaxed you look on camera.
This isn’t the session to debut something brand new that you’ve never worn before, or to force yourself into something that feels slightly off because you think it looks more professional. Wear the things that make you feel like the best version of yourself. That’s what translates into images you’ll actually want to use.
What to Avoid
A few specific things that consistently cause problems in brand photos:
Very bright whites near the face. Pure white can blow out in certain lighting conditions and create a harsh contrast against skin tones. Off-white, cream, and ivory tend to photograph more flatteringly.
Large, distracting logos. Brand photos are about your brand, not someone else’s. Save the statement logo pieces for another day.
Fabrics that wrinkle easily. Linen and some lightweight cottons can look beautifully effortless in person but show every crease in a photo. If you’re bringing pieces like this, steam them right before you pack.
Anything that requires constant adjusting. If you’re going to be tugging at a neckline, pulling down a hem, or repositioning a strap throughout the session, it’ll be distracting for both of you and it’ll show up in your body language. Choose things you can forget about once you’re wearing them.
How Many Outfits Should You Bring?
For a full brand photography session, three to five outfits is a good range. You want enough variety to give your images different looks and moods without the session turning into a full wardrobe production.
Think about having at least one option that feels polished and professional, one that feels a little more relaxed or creative, and one that sits somewhere in between. This gives your final image library range, so not every photo looks like it came from the same shoot even when they did.
For a headshot session, one to two outfits is typically plenty. The focus is narrower and the session is shorter, so you don’t need the same variety.
Don’t Forget the Details
Accessories, shoes, and smaller details are worth thinking about too, especially if any of your shots will include your full outfit.
Accessories can add visual interest and reflect your personality without competing with your face the way a busy print might. A statement necklace, a pair of earrings, a watch, or a scarf can change the feeling of an outfit significantly. Just keep it intentional rather than piling on everything at once.
Shoes matter more than people expect, particularly for seated shots or full-length images. Choose pairs that feel consistent with the overall look of each outfit.
And finally, get your clothes ready the night before. Steam anything that needs it, hang everything together, and pack your props at the same time. Arriving organised means arriving relaxed, and that makes a real difference to how the session feels.
A Quick Reference: What to Wear for Brand Photos
Do:
- Solid colours and simple textures
- Colours that align with your brand palette
- Clothes that fit well and that you feel confident in
- Layers and accessories that add variety
- Three to five outfits for a full brand session
Avoid:
- Busy prints and large logos
- Pure white near the face
- Fabrics that wrinkle easily
- Anything that requires adjusting
Frequently Asked Questions
Solid colours almost always photograph better than patterns. Choose colours that align with your existing brand palette so your images feel consistent with your website and social media. If your branding is still in progress or you’re not sure what your brand colours are, neutral tones like cream, grey, tan, and navy are safe, versatile choices that work across almost any brand aesthetic and lighting situation.
It depends on the shade. Pure white near the face can blow out in certain lighting conditions and create a harsh contrast against skin tones. Off-white, cream, and ivory are generally more flattering options that still read as light and clean without the exposure issues that pure white can cause.
Three to five outfits is the recommended range for a full brand session. Aim for at least one that feels polished and professional, one that’s more relaxed or creative, and one that sits somewhere in between. This gives your final image library enough variety that not every photo looks like it came from the same shoot, even when they did. For a headshot session, one to two outfits is typically enough.
Busy prints, bold stripes, and large logos tend to draw the eye away from your face, which is where the focus belongs in brand photography. If you love pattern, a subtle texture or a fine, small-scale print can work well. A simple test: hold the garment at arm’s length. If the pattern is the first thing you notice, it’ll be the first thing the camera notices too.
Yes, more than most people expect. A well-fitted simple outfit will outperform an expensive one that pulls, gaps, or hangs awkwardly every time. Before your session, try each planned outfit on and move around in it. Sit down, stand up, turn to the side. If anything feels or looks off in the mirror, swap it out. Trust that instinct.
Not necessarily. Your session wardrobe should feel like you, and the best images tend to come from people wearing things they’re already comfortable and confident in. Debuting something brand new that you’ve never worn before can add unnecessary uncertainty on the day. Reach for pieces you already love and feel like yourself in, and save anything untested for another occasion.
More than people expect, particularly if any of your shots include a seated pose, a full-length image, or lifestyle shots that show more of your outfit. Accessories like a statement necklace, earrings, a scarf, or a watch can meaningfully change the feeling of an outfit and add visual interest without competing with your face. Keep it intentional rather than layering on everything at once.
No. Professional makeup and light hair styling are included in every brand photography session at Jenn Grachow Photography. All you need to do is bring your outfits, arrive on time, and let the rest take care of itself. A full wardrobe guide and planning call are also included so you’re fully prepared before you even walk in the door.
One More Thing
When you book a brand photography session with me, you’ll receive a full wardrobe guide as part of your session prep materials. We’ll also go through your planned outfits on the planning call so you can get a second opinion before the day. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
Professional makeup and light hair styling are included in every session, so once you arrive at my Burlington studio, the rest is taken care of. All you need to do is bring your outfits and show up ready to enjoy it.
