by Sarah Wills
You’ve booked your brand shoot and now you need to choose the what to wear. The right outfit can inspire us to feel more confident and ready to face the world. It also tells the viewer a little bit about your personality and who we are.
Finding the right outfit that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident in front of the camera sounds like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. I asked Jennifer Jones, from Jennifer Jones Styling, some questions about how to choose the right outfit for your brand shoot, and here are her tips:
What should you consider when picking your outfits for a photoshoot?
I know it can be daunting when your brand photoshoot is looming, but choosing the right outfits shouldn’t be something that you need to stress about. Don’t get me wrong, it’s super important, but here are some things to consider that will make it easier for you to decide what to wear. Firstly, think about the impression you want to make when your clients/customers see your photos – is what you want to wear for your shoot giving off that impression? Secondly, think about what you feel most good in. Do you like fitted clothing, loose clothing or a particular colour? Always go for what you like so that it feels like you. And thirdly, think about not only what you look and feel good in, but what is going to look great on camera. Will too many accessories take the focus away from you? And will certain colours clash too much with your background?
Can the right outfit really make us feel more confident in front of the camera?
Absolutely! When your’re wearing something you love and look amazing in, you shine. You hold yourself taller, you smile more, you have more energy – wearing the right outfit can make the world of difference! And if you’re someone who is nervous in front of the camera, wearing something you know you look great in means that’s one less thing to worry about at the time. If you’re fidgeting, feeling conscious or not liking what you’re wearing, it will show through your body language and make it harder to enjoy your photoshoot.
What mistakes should I avoid when choosing my outfit?
Don’t leave it until the last minute – plan your outfit and try everything on before the day to ensure it feels good and you’re happy with it. Also, make sure you choose something that reflects you because if you’re wearing something that doesn’t feel like you, that will impact how you feel during your shoot. And when you’re picking your outfits, make sure you’ve covered all seasons or the pieces you’ve chosen are versatile and work across all seasons so that you’re not stuck with only using your brand photos at a certain time of the year.
What advice do you have for choosing an outfit that fits my personality and my brand?
You are your brand so you need to ensure you’re wearing something that feels right for you. Please be authentic in your outfit and don’t see this as an opportunity to dress like someone else. You need to come across like you in the best way. Also, are your brand colours the colours that suit you best and you love to wear? If they are, fantastic, but if they’re not and your brand colour is a vibrant yellow that as a top this would just be too much for you, consider toning it down slightly. Opt for a more muted yellow that still compliments your brand but doesn’t overshadow you. And think about what your clients/customers will see when they see your outfit – will they match up what you’re wearing with someone in your industry? For example, if you’re a flamboyant designer, wearing a plain grey suit is just not going to work.
What are your top tips for preparing for a shoot?
I’ve already mentioned that you should 100% not leave your outfits to the last minute. But there are some other things to consider… make a checklist of everything you need to take with you on the day so that you don’t forget anything and you end up with no accessories because grabbing those earrings you wanted to wear slipped your mind. If you don’t know already, find out what your best colours are – the ones that will brighten up your features and make your skin glow on the day, and discover the best styles for your body shape. This will ensure you don’t have one of those “what was I thinking?” moments when you see your photos for the first time. Doing this preparation before your shoot means you are armed with the knowledge and the skills to shop, or dig out from your wardrobe, the best pieces to wear for your brand shoot!
I always recommend having a chat with your photographer before hand so that they can offer you some advice based on your locations, backgrounds and requirements for the shoot. Find out more about my personal branding photography here.
And if you’d like Jennifer’s expert help with finding the right outfits for your shoot you can contact her via the links below:
www.instagram.com/jenniferjonesstyling
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