You have booked your brand shoot, now what do you wear????

One of the first things people think about when having their brand photos taken is… what to wear! This is a really difficult question as it is totally subjective. What I might like, you don’t and vice versa. However one thing we all know it that you want to look and feel your best on the day.

I had the pleasure of not only photographing Luisa, but also having a Wardrobe Detox and Colour Consultation with Luisa Gianni Personal Styling. I have asked Luisa to give her professional advice and top tips on knowing what to wear and to help you look and feel your best on your brand shoot.

Luisa’s Advice!!!!

Colour!

When it comes to choosing the colours that you wear on your shoots, I always recommend 3 key starting points to focus on:

1. What are your best colours that suit your skin tones, eye colour, hair colour, are you warm or cool in tone? It’s always a great time to get a Colour Consultation done with me as I will identify your personal palette that will make your skin radiate, smooth out any blemishes and give a more youthful, fresh appearance. So many people wear colours that either over-power them, drain them or clash with their tones – combine this with the added emphasis of the camera flash or stark outdoor light and it can have a detrimental effect to the final images.

2. Where and when is your shoot taking place? If it’s outdoors in nature you may want to stay away from earthy tones so you don’t blend in. If it’s in a dark bar you may want to wear brighter levels or even some sparkle to truly stand out. It could be just a case of wearing a more intense lipstick shade than you would normally wear to bring some colour to the shoot.

3. Think about what you as a brand are trying to speak to your customer about and then implement the psychology of colour. Colours have adverse and positive traits and it’s wise to know these and bear them in mind when deciding what colours to wear. For example, if your brand is energetic, exciting and outgoing then red is a great choice. If your brand is more about being mindful, peaceful and relaxing then a mid-tone of green is a good option.

Where are you using your images?

Website: think about what section of your site you will be using the images on and support this accordingly with your outfit. Is it the ‘about me’ section? If so, perhaps you could wear a more relaxed piece of clothing such as a chunky piece of knitwear with jeans and be sitting casually with a cup of coffee – this makes you appear approachable and gives the customer the feeling they are seeing the real you. Or is it about the services section? If so, think about what that service is and how you can sell it, e.g., wearing an apron with your logo on it if you’re a florist, opting for sports clothing if you’re a yoga teacher.

Socials: have a plan of your future social media posts and plan your outfits accordingly. Bring a number of outfits with you that are easy to change into so you can get a whole host of shots to choose from. Layer your outfits so you can easily take off certain items to quickly get another shot, such as a leather jacket, a blazer, piece of knitwear. You can then use these images throughout the year when the season changes. Another easy way to extend the value of your shoot is with accessories. Make sure you pack a pair of sunglasses, a scarf, earrings, necklace, summer hat, winter hat – even if this is not something you would usually wear, it will give you more photos to work with when those social media post themes are struggling to come to mind. And don’t forget your props!

These will bring your images to life and can also be a bit of a comfort blanket for you to hold on the day of the shoot if you’re not sure what to do with your hands.

What is your brand identity?

Does your brand have a specific colour used in its logo or website? If so try to incorporate that

within what you wear so that the photos are in line with this and sit harmoniously with your brands marketing.

Who are your customers and what do they look to you for? If your business is professional yet fun, think about incorporating a print into a blouse or dress you wear instead of a plain black suit. If its a creative business consider wearing casual relaxed clothes that reflect your personality.

What not to wear?

The most important part of any shoot is that you feel comfortable. So, make sure what you wear fits you, don’t worry about how old it is or what size it is, that’s not important and only you know this.

Don’t wear anything that you continually need to be fixing, such as a blouse that gapes, jeans that need pulling up at the waist, a dress that’s too long – you need to forget abut what you have on so you and Emma can concentrate on getting the best out of your images.

If you’ve bought a new outfit or shoes for the shoot, make sure you wear them before the day to ensure it’s comfortable and fits.

Think about the fabrics and prints you choose. Make sure the t-shirt you wear isn’t see through under different lights, anything too shiny such as satin can reflect the camera light back, ensure you know what the background of your location will be so that the print you choose to wear doesn’t get hidden or alternatively doesn’t clash.

Be prepared

Creating a pre-shoot look book will help both you and Emma to stay focused and organized on the day. Take a photo of each outfit either flat laid on the floor or with you wearing it. The last thing you need is panic on the day about what goes with what! Emma will then be able to help you decide what outfit is better for each location of the shoot.

Make sure you steam your clothes and carry any dresses/shirts on a hanger so they don’t get crumpled. Bring everything else in a roller suitcase so you’re not lugging big bags around leaving straps marks on your arms!

Consider your hair and make-up options, even if this isn’t something you normally give much attention to. Having a hair style that you could easily put up or down on the day will again give you more options in terms of photo options. Even if you don’t normally wear make-up, I highly suggest you wear some on the day, especially a touch of lipstick. You need to feel like yourself of course but the camera flash can drain your skin and even a subtle touch of make-up can make your eyes shine and your smile radiate. Consider using a make-up artist or at least a trip to a make-up counter who can give you some advice. And don’t forget to bring some with you on the day for any touch ups!

Still unsure?

Book a branding styling session with me. I will take all the hard-work out for you and ensure you can concentrate on enjoying the day. I will make sure your outfits are perfect for the shoot, your brand, your colouring and body shape.

I offer a number of packages tailored to your needs so please get in touch with any enquirers you have: hello@luisastylist.com or click the link here Contact

If you want to know more about booking a Personal Brand Photo-Shoot, contact me on 07703773701 - or email https://www.emmaboylephotography.co.uk/contact