What to wear.

Wear what you want

This is the most important thing I can tell you. The best photographs come from people who feel comfortable and confident. If that means jeans and a favourite jumper, wear that. If that means a full suit or a flowing dress, wear that. There is no dress code for looking good in photos — only a dress code for feeling good in them.

A few tips if you want them

• Textures photograph beautifully. Knitwear, linen, denim, and light layers add depth and catch the light in interesting ways.
• Co-ordinate, do not match. Complementary colours and tones work better than identical outfits. Think about the palette, not the uniform.
• Consider the setting. Deep greens and earth tones suit woodland backdrops; neutrals and soft blues work well on beaches or in cities.
• Be practical. If we are walking through a field, heels might not survive. Bring a comfortable backup and change when we arrive.
• Less branding, more you. Large logos and busy patterns can distract from faces and expressions. Solid colours and subtle prints tend to age better too.

For families and groups

Kids will get dirty. It is part of the fun. Dress them in something they can move in, and do not stress about mud on knees or grass stains — those are signs of a good session. For group shots, pick a loose colour theme (warm tones, cool tones, pastels) and let everyone interpret it their own way.

The bottom line

I have photographed people in wedding gowns, football kits, vintage leather jackets, and pyjamas. Every single one of those sessions produced genuine, memorable images because the person wearing them felt like themselves. Your outfit is not what makes the photo — you are.