Solid Colours Are Better
For portrait sessions, I recommend solid colours because they put more focus on you, the subject. Selfishly, solid clothing also makes it easier for me to edit stray hairs or wrinkles in the fabric. When picking colours, be aware that darker-coloured clothes will make you appear more slender on camera. If you want to POP out and draw attention, wear a vibrant colour for one of your primary pieces: a jacket, shirt, or scarf.

Avoid Patterns, Logos, Graphics, And Illustrations
Pretty straightforward here, they can be distracting. Also, cameras do weird things with tight patterns and produce a funky pixelation effect. Plus, you may hate that logo/company 20+ years after your session. Don’t ruin a good picture with a bad symbol.

Simple Is Better
A t-shirt with jeans, a dress, slacks, and a jacket; these are all very clean and easy outfits. The more complex your outfit, the more you’ll be fidgeting with it during the session to make sure it looks exactly right. Keep it simple so you can focus on having a good time.

Remove Lenses From Your Glasses
If you usually wear glasses, you should wear them for your portraits. The lenses of glasses make taking pictures tricky, though. Clear lenses will occasionally reflect light, which can be distracting and block your face. Transition lenses not only reflect light, but if it’s bright outside, then they’ll effectively act as sunglasses. If you can, I’d recommend removing the lenses and wearing contacts simultaneously for the best images.

Stick With What You Already Own And Love
Be comfortable, dress like you would every day, and you’ll feel at ease. There’s a significant emphasis on being comfortable and relaxed when doing a photo session; I’m telling you it makes all the difference. There’s no need to buy something just for the photoshoot. You’ve got everything you need in your closet.

Wear Clothes That Give You Confidence
Select clothing that makes you feel unstoppable when you put it on. I know I always feel confident in my blue-checkered button-down shirt so you can bet I wear it whenever I have a big meeting. If you’ve got a pair of jeans, a shirt, or a dress that makes you feel like a rock star, try to make it part of your ensemble. Dressing confidently helps influence your mood during a portrait session. If you feel confident, it’ll show up in your images.

Wear Reasonably Fitted Clothes
Loose, baggy clothing may be the comfiest thing ever, but I’d steer away from it for your photos. Clothing that fits your figure is not only more comfortable to pose, but also looks more flattering.

Dress Comfortably
Dress for the weather

• Don’t torture yourself! If it’s cold out, then wear a jacket and maybe even a sweater. If you’re miserable and uncomfortable, then your face will reflect that in the images. It’s hard to smile happily when your socks are soaking wet. At a minimum, bring the appropriate clothing and wear it when you’re not actively getting your picture taken. If it’s super hot out, try to shoot early in the morning or late afternoon/evening.
• Match your surroundings
• Unless you live for irony and juxtaposition, a tux and a ballgown do not fit well with a forest. Personally, I freaking love it. If you’re shooting in downtown Atlanta, then dress it up a bit. And if it manages to snow, then don’t be afraid to layer it up with a jacket, vest, or sweater!
• Match your activity
  • This goes along with the above tips – if we’re trekking to the top of a mountain, you may want to leave the heels or all-white kicks at home. At the same time, if we’re going to a farm or field, don’t be afraid to pull out the jeans and cowboy boots!

Longer Sleeves Are Better
Long sleeves seem to work better for photos, in my opinion. Too much skin can be distracting from your face. And even if you have thin or toned arms, long sleeves tend to make all arms look better.

Avoid Ripped Jeans Or Clothing
Unless your personal style encompasses ripped jeans or you’re doing a model shoot where holes in clothing is the look, try to avoid clothing with rips, tears, or holes. Depending on your pose, these can look unflattering.

Mind Your Underwear
Something to keep in mind is the colour and fit of your undergarments. If you’re wearing a white shirt, ladies, don’t wear a hot pink bra underneath it. Double-check your outfits with your selected undergarments of choice to make sure nothing is visible. The safe option is to go with nude-toned garments. Guys, make sure your boxers don’t bunch up underneath your pants. It could look odd or suggestive.

Mind The Neckline
When selecting a shirt or top, be aware of how it fits. Most of the time, you’ll want to avoid that plunging neckline that shows off any cleavage. I’d also make sure not to wear a loose turtleneck or a shirt with a collar that’s too loose or too tight.

Bring Multiple, Diverse Outfits
You should always have multiple outfits ready for your session. Your photographer may notice something that makes one piece better than another or an outfit that’s a better fit for a specific location. Try to do variations in lengths, textures, and colours. I also recommend bringing outfits that are a mix of casual, formal, and in-between. It’s wise to have multiple outfits just in case you spill something or brush up against some dirt or paint. Back-ups are handy.