One of the most frequent questions I get asked is : “how should we dress for our photo session in Paris” ?
I will give you below some tips that will prevent you from making mistakes while preparing your outfits for our photo session in Paris, as well as to any other photo session around the globe.
To prepare best for my shoots i strongly encourage you to send me your outfits ideas to get feedback on how it will look on camera.
First Golden Rule - your clothes should be clean and fit you perfectly.
I do completely understand that “my body is my business” and we all wear what we want, but I would strongly recommend you pick clothes that are clean, hide your underwear and best flatter your body-type. For instance, if you have some curves, it would be better to pick a dress which is not too tight and has sleeves. Like this you will be more free in your moves during the photo session.
Make sure that the silhouette looks great not only from the front but also from the profile (for example tight close which wrinkles from the side, too tight in chest, or has deep armpits cuts which will not look flattery from the side (especially if they show part of your bra).
Don't forget about make up/hair style
I understand that not all women prefer heavy makeup from professional makeup artists, but your skin and hair are crucial for achieving the best results in your photoshoot. If you would like some professional assistance, I can provide you with a list of beauty artists I work with who can come to your hotel, as early as needed, to help you get ready for your big day.
If you prefer to skip professional makeup, I still recommend taking some steps to prepare. Use a moisturizing cream overnight to soften your skin (face/arms/legs), use some shimmer oil for legs-arms the morning of the photoshoot, and apply at least some BB cream (or better yet, foundation) on your face, mascara to accentuate your eyes, and lipstick as a minimum. Also, make sure your hair is clean and well-brushed. It’s a good idea to bring a hair tie in case of windy weather.
Please, please, please! Pay attention to your hair! Untidy hair can destroy the whole look. Use streightner if you know that your hair can frizz. Take hairbrush and hair tie with you.
For the gentlemen, I suggest not shaving on the morning of the photoshoot to avoid skin irritation.
Don’t forget to take care of your nails, and if the weather is expected to be sunny, it’s a great idea to bring sunglasses.
Pick your clothes according to the season/weather
We all saw these cute pictures with girls in flowing dresses and I do understand that you want to recreate these scenes. But, keep in mind that the weather conditions during your photo session might be different. If might be so cold, that the only thing you would be able to think of while wearing sleeveless dress is :”where is my coat”. So I would strongly recommend for winter photo sessions to forget your sleeveless dresses at home. Instead you can pick the following mixture: A skirt + sweater, jeans + sweater, a warmer dress with sleeves and a coat or jacket. For winter it looks super cute, if you have matching sweaters or scarfs or hats or coats for couple photo session.
In case it rains...
Well, we can not predict if our photo session will be on sunny weather, or under rain. Sometimes, rain starts unexpectedly and even if it doesn’t rain hard, there are still those nasty drops which can make your outfit look not as perfect as it is supposed to be. For that reason I would like to give you some tips.
If you suspect rain on the day of your photo session, choose outfits with material on which rain drops will not be easily visible (leather, viscose, organza, knitwear). In case you doubt if your favourite photo session dress suits rainy weather, just check at home if water drops leave any marks.
Prefer black or dark colors in clothes. Avoid linen, satin and silk.
For the top it would be perfect to pick a leather jacket. Trench coats will look super stylish! As an idea to match camel trench coat with red sweater under – beautiful and very stylish color combination.
Avoid long gowns. Their bottom will absorb water from the street and change color. It won’t look pretty. The only exception is a black gown (not silk material though!), as I mentioned before, black color hides rain drops very well.
Take transparent umbrella with you – it will be a very nice prop!
Check if your outfits match together as couple
It is very essential during the couple photo session that your outfits match in style and in color. For example – if you wear a gown, your partner should wear a tuxedo, not a hoodie and jeans…definitely not shorts. If you wear something casual, your partner should go with the same style.
Also make sure that the colors of your outfits match. Basically, if one of the partners wears a total black look, the other partner can mix up to 2 other colors in his/her outfit.
Use the following rule: no more than 3 different colors for both outfits. For example – blue jeans for both partners, a red shirt for one partner and a black shirt for another partner.
You can also try wearing same-color tops and same-color bottoms. For example – black bottom and blue top and so on.
I picked OUTFITS INSPIRATION BOARD on pinterest for you. Check it out here.
Pick brighter or more clean colors
Colors like dark blue/dark green will be too dull. Instead pick either light colors (light pink, light blue, pastel colors etc) or bright (at least in some parts of the outfit) – red, deep blue, golden, violet etc. This will help you to spice up pictures with colors.
Check the dresses I propose for rent, even if you don’t want to rent, you can still get pretty good idea of the colors which will look good on the camera.
My personal favourite colors list according locations:
-Blue. Light blue or deep bright blue is perfect for loacations as Trocadero or riversides – places with sky.
– Golden/yellow – perfect for Alexandre 3rd bridge. It will match golden bridge stucco.
– Orange. Anywhere with lot’s of green. For example of Tuillries garden. (NB. Do not wear green outfit in the park!)
– Red. Great for any location.
– Pink, lavender and other pastel colors. If you want some softness in the pictures.
– Bourgundy. Suits to anything!=)
– Brown/beige. For architecture locations (Louvre, streets of Paris, Montmartre). But will work best with adding up some bright splashes (like red dress + beige coat)
COLORS AND STYLE I DO NOT RECOMMEND:
– navy blue, dull green color
– dark navy/black dress with flowers print for woman
– bright blue suits for man
For men if you want a costume, best pick is a suit in grey/black color.
Pick fun props!
As ideas: bottle of champagne, take away coffee cups, croissants (ask me if you want contact of bakery where you can order a giant croissant) or macaroons, sunglasses (also would be very helpful in sunny days), newspaper, hats. Flowers are still in trends! in christmas time we can take pictures with small christmas tree they are selling all over the city (it won’t cost more then bouquett of flowers, but it’s a fresh idea).
Also if you want some fun lifestyle pics, go ahead bringing pizza or mcdonalds meals (burger, french fries).
A bit of color inspiration
Are you familiar with color circle? It will help you match colors of your outfits. Basically, the rule is the following: you should either pick diametrically opposite colors or adjacent ones to make a perfect match. Check the pictures below
Even more inspiration
I hope my tips about outfits for photo session were helpful to you!
Don’t be shy to ask your photographer to help you to finalise your look for photo session. Great outfit creates 80% of the photo session’s success. I would be glad to give you tips about your outfits for our photo session in Paris.
