What to Wear for Your Personal Branding Photoshoot
What to Wear for Your Personal Branding Photoshoot
One of the most common questions I receive as a Gold Coast photographer is "What should I wear for my personal branding shoot?" Your outfit choices can make a significant impact on your final images, so I've created this comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your session.
Be Authentically You
Are you a jeans-and-tees kind of girl? Do you feel fab in flowing maxi skirts and dresses? Or is a chic combination of tailored pants and a favourite top your everyday style? Your audience wants to get to know the real you, so choose outfits that reflect your personality and select items you'd normally wear. After all, it's wonderful when there's alignment between who we see in person and who we see online.
The most important thing to keep in mind? Choose outfits that make you look and feel amazing! When you feel good, you radiate confidence.
Planning Your Outfits
During your branding session, we can comfortably capture three different outfits per hour. This gives us plenty of time to create variety in your image collection while ensuring each look is captured perfectly.
Here's how I like to think about it: each outfit you bring creates a different feeling and serves a different purpose across your marketing.
You might bring something polished and professional for your LinkedIn headshot, speaking engagements, or when you're pitching to corporate clients. This is your most elevated look the one that shows you mean business.
Then perhaps something in between and this is where I often ask people: if you were going to a business lunch or event today, what would you wear? What do you naturally gravitate towards? Choose that. These images work beautifully on your website, in email marketing, and across social media.
And finally, something more relaxed that shows your personality. Think lifestyle shots, behind-the-scenes moments, the real you that your audience connects with on Instagram or in your newsletter.
Your outfit selections also provide a great opportunity to subtly hint towards your branding colours. You don't need to wear them head-to-toe, but incorporating them through clothing, accessories and props creates that visual connection between your photos and your brand.
My intention is always to capture as much variety as possible, so you have a diverse gallery of images to pull from across every touchpoint – whether that's a formal media kit or a casual Instagram story sharing your everyday moments.
What Works Well
Soft, solid colours - they photograph beautifully every time
Classic combinations like white and denim - these never date
Dresses that are fitted at the waist to show off your silhouette
Linen pieces and soft-toned garments
A mix of patterns and solid colours for variety
Shape-wear under fitted outfits for a seamless look
What to Avoid
Experience has taught me that certain items can be challenging to photograph:
Large emblems and logos
Thin stripes and finely checkered patterns (they can warp in photos)
Neon colours and shiny fabrics (they can create colour casts on your skin)
Clashing colours (like red and soft blue)
Undergarments Matter
The right foundation garments can make a significant difference in how your outfits photograph. Always opt for:
Nude seamless underwear
Nude t-shirt bras (avoid white bras under white tops as they'll be visible in photos)
Shapewear if wearing fitted outfits
Pattern Considerations
While patterns can photograph beautifully, they tend to look repetitive more quickly in branding materials. I recommend:
Breaking up patterned outfits with solid-coloured options
Choosing classic, neutral pieces to mix with your patterned favourites
Selecting complementary colours within your chosen palette
Need Help Deciding?
The great news: we'll figure this out together! We'll discuss this at length during your pre-shoot planning call (included in all of my personal branding photography packages). Many of my clients will send me photos of their outfits, and I'm always happy to provide specific feedback to ensure you'll love your final images.
Remember, the key to successful personal branding photos is feeling confident and comfortable in what you're wearing. When you feel amazing, it shows in your photos!
Ready to book your personal branding session on the Gold Coast? Contact me to discuss creating authentic, powerful images for your brand.
