How to dress for outdoor photoshoot

Today I’m joined by Toni Carver at TLC Style & Colour and we’re looking at How to I dress for an outdoor photoshoot.

You’ve just booked your shoot so now you’re stressing and thinking- what should I wear?

Clothes don’t just cover our bodies.

What we wear matters, and it makes a visual statement. When you feel good in what you wear, this confidence shows in abundance.

They say a picture tells a thousand words and each time you look at your photos, you’ll remember how you felt as well as how you look.

When it comes to the winter months and How to dress for outdoor photoshoot, a good thing to consider wearing are layers. This way, you’ll stay warm and it’ll give you some options to de-layer for additional photos during your shoot.

Layers also add interest to your outfits and you’ll look more ‘pulled together’.

Choose fine and thinner garments. This will avoid adding bulk (especially if you’re top heavy) and stops you looking like Joey from Friends.

Fabric

Silk adjusts to your body temperature and works in both hot and cold months.

Unsurprisingly, wool is a great insulator making it perfect for when you need to take off your coat outdoors.

Cashmere is more expensive so consider using cashmere in your accessories. Scarves, hats or fingerless gloves. These can be easier to take off too and will have already warmed you up!

Synthetic fibres like polyester (including fleece) aren’t breathable and will trap in heat so use them as an outer layer rather than a base. It makes it easier to take off this layer too.

Colour

When choosing colour for your clothes (and makeup ladies), take a look at YOU when you wear it.

A simple way to check if it’s the right colour for you is by simply holding the garment under your chin (without makeup). If it lightens and brightens your face, making you appear more youthful,  brighter and your eyes stand out then it’s great for you.

If it casts any dark shadows or stands out too much (ie. it looks to be wearing you), then it’s sadly not the best for you and is best avoided near to your face. Having a colour consultation is the best way to discover the shades that work for you and how to wear them. Be aware that just because you had your colours done decades ago, colour analysis has changed and you may find that the colours that used to suit you really don’t work for you anymore.

Black and white aren’t always great colours to wear. They are often too harsh for most people and can wash most people out. Opt for dark grey or navy and an off white as better alternatives.

If you’re happy in colour, consider that when you wear clothes all in one shade of colour such as the same colour top and bottoms, it can visually lengthen the appearance of your body line and be more slimming.

It can also be a way of adding interest by using different textures eg. cashmere jumper with denim and a tweed jacket, leather boots and a silk scarf.

if you’ve nailed your branding and your colours, try and introduce this into How to dress for outdoor photoshoot. But, it’s not always essential so if this starts to stress you out then don’t worry about it. Just go with what you’re comfortable in.

Shape and fit

Size doesn’t matter but shape does!

Guys have it easier than girls when it comes to body shapes as they tend to be more streamlined. Whichever gender, dress for your body lines and body shape as you’ll be far more comfortable too.

The fit of your clothes is important as if something nips, tugs or rides, you’ll be constantly pulling and faffing. Be comfortable.

It can be tempting to choose clothes which are bigger to try and hide but usually, it has the opposite effect. Instead it draws attention to you and actually makes you appear bigger than you are and this will be highlighted on your shots. Try not to use too many chunky layers as you’ll lose the definition of your shape.

Your branding shoot is your chance to demonstrate who you are and what story you want to create.

What we wear can be so powerful. Ask yourself what message you’re trying to deliver. What you do is more than just your branding and your logo. It’s about your purpose, your proposition and your personality. How will you represent this on film?

Toni Carver qualified as a colour, style, image and makeup consultant through Colour me Beautiful in 2011. She has her own business; TLC Style & Colour and gives women the confidence to dress their best so they can look and feel good every day. Her confidence boosting sessions are available virtually and in person at her studio in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. You can visit her full range of services here: www.tlcstyleandcolour.co.uk and follow her on Facebook and Instagram @tlcstyleandcolour.

And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:

1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.

Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots.  Read here

2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.

We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read more) or you could join me at a Branding Day.

3) Join ‘Visibility School

Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group. Read more