When it comes to planning a photoshoot, one of the most common questions that clients ask is, “What should I wear?” As a photographer, you know that the right outfit can make or break a photoshoot. That’s why creating a ‘What to Wear’ or Style Guide is essential for your clients. Not only does it ensure that everyone looks their best, but it also helps to create a cohesive and polished look that will elevate the overall aesthetic of your work. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of a ‘What to Wear’ guide and provide you with tips on how to create one that will wow your clients. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this guide will help you take your work to the next level. So, let’s get started!
Benefits of a ‘What to Wear’ guide for clients and photographers
A ‘What to Wear’ guide provides a lot of benefits to both clients and photographers. For clients, it takes the stress out of deciding what to wear and gives them confidence that they’ll look good in the photos. For photographers, it ensures that everyone shows up in appropriate attire, which can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the shoot. Great outfits make your job easier.
Additionally, a ‘What to Wear’ guide can help clients understand the style and aesthetic of the photographer. By providing guidance on color schemes, patterns, and styles that work well, the guide can help clients align their outfits with the overall theme of the shoot.
How to create a ‘What to Wear’ guide that will wow your clients
Creating a ‘What to Wear’ guide may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite straightforward. Here are some tips to help you create a guide that will wow your clients:
Start with the basics
Begin by outlining the basics of what your clients should wear. This includes things like color schemes, patterns, and styles that work well for the shoot. For example, if you’re shooting a peach blossom session, you may want to suggest light, airy fabrics in soft colors like pastels or neutrals.
Consider the location and time of day
The location and time of day can have a significant impact on what your clients should wear. For example, if you’re shooting in a park, you may want to suggest outfits that blend in with the natural surroundings, like earth tones or greens. If you’re shooting at sunset, you may want to suggest outfits that complement the warm, golden light.
Provide examples
One of the most helpful things you can do for your clients is to provide visual examples of what you’re looking for. Create a mood board or Pinterest board that showcases outfits that work well for the shoot or event. This will help your clients get a better understanding of what you’re looking for and make it easier for them to choose their outfits.
Tips for choosing the right outfits for a photoshoot
Choosing the right outfits for a photoshoot can be tricky, but there are a few tips that can help:
Choose a palette and stick to it
Start the process by choosing colors instead of clothing first. Before I knew anything about how to style my family for sessions, I would immediately start looking for my dress. But, with so many options out there, endless styles in endless colors, it was hard to make a decision. If you build your palette first, and stick to it, then you will know the exact shade of each item you are coordinated which makes choosing pieces so much easier.
Consider the location
The location of the shoot will also help you decide on your color palette. Sometimes, you will want to blend in with the background, sometimes you will want to contrast with it. Make sure to look for inspiration from real photoshoots where you are planning yours to see which colors work best.
Coordinate, instead of matching
It’s important that outfits coordinate, rather than match. This means choosing colors and styles that complement each other, rather than wearing identical outfits. This creates a more natural, cohesive look in the photos.
Guidelines for creating a cohesive look for group photos
Creating a cohesive look for group photos can be challenging, but there are a few guidelines that can help:
Create a Palette for the group
Create a palette that gives you enough colors to work for for everyone in the shoot. Preplan the color that each person will wear beforehand and then look for pieces in those colors.
Mix and match patterns & Textures
Mixing and matching patterns can add visual interest to group photos, but it’s important to do so in a way that doesn’t clash. Stick to patterns that are in the same color family, and choose one pattern to be the dominant one. You don’t want everyone wearing the same pattern or all flat textures, you’ve got to mix it up a bit.
Accessorize
Accessories can add a lot to group photos, and can help tie outfits together. Consider suggesting accessories like cardigans, hats, or scarves that complement the overall look and feel of the shoot.
How to incorporate client preferences into the guide
It’s important to consider client preferences when creating a ‘What to Wear’ guide. Here are some tips on how to do so:
Ask for input
Make sure to discuss outfits with your clients before their shoot, to see if they have any questions or are feeling overwhelmed. Ask your clients for input on what they’d like to wear, and what they feel comfortable in. This will help you make recommendations that they’re more likely to follow.
Provide options
Provide a range of options for your clients to choose from, rather than dictating exactly what they should wear. This gives them more freedom to express their personal style, while still staying within the overall guidelines.
Be flexible
Be flexible and open to changes. If your client has a particular outfit in mind that doesn’t quite fit the guidelines, try to find a way to make it work. It’s important that your clients feel comfortable and confident in their outfits.
How to present the guide to clients
When presenting the ‘What to Wear’ guide to clients, it’s important to do so in a clear and concise manner. Here are some tips:
Use visuals
Use visuals like mood boards or Pinterest boards to showcase the outfits you’re looking for. This will help clients get a better understanding of what you’re looking for.
Be clear and concise
Be clear and concise in your instructions. Provide specific guidelines on colors, patterns, and styles that work well, and make it clear and easy to implement.
Answer questions
Be prepared to answer any questions your clients may have about the ‘What to Wear’ guide. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page, and that the shoot or event runs smoothly.
FAQs about ‘What to Wear’ guides
Here are some frequently asked questions about ‘What to Wear’ guides:
Who should create the guide?
The guide can be created by the photographer or a personal stylist.
When should the guide be created?
The guide should be created as early as possible, ideally during the planning phase of the shoot or event.
How detailed should the guide be?
The guide should be as detailed as necessary to ensure that everyone is on the same page, but not so detailed that it becomes overwhelming.
IN Conclusion
Creating a ‘What to Wear’ guide is essential for any photographer. By providing guidance on color schemes, patterns, and styles that work well, the guide can help ensure that everyone looks their best and that the overall aesthetic of the shoot is elevated. If you need some help creating a Style Guide that will wow your clients, download The Style Guide Checklist by clicking on the image below. It will help take the guesswork out of creating your own Style Guide.
