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Congrats you just booked your brand photoshoot! Now, what do you wear?!? As you walk into your closet, you might look at your clothes and think “I have nothing to wear!!” OR you might gravitate towards your favorite jeans and T-shirt OR maybe you bought a dress for a special occasion and thought NOW is finally the time I get to wear this. Believe me, I have had all of those same thoughts in preparing for my own brand sessions. Do I go with something wild and crazy (leopard print dress) or do I stick with what I actually wear every day (leggings and a t-shirt).

As I often advise my clients, strategic thinking is key. Just as you didn’t (hopefully) choose your brand colors on a whim, your outfit should also convey a purpose. What message does it send? How will it resonate with your audience? Does it align with your business brand identity rather than just your personal style? Let’s explore the three categories I typically start with when helping my clients prepare for their brand sessions.

Keep It Professional

What does professionalism look like in your industry? Are you constantly meeting new clients, requiring a dress and heels? Perhaps you’re a fitness instructor who rocks Lululemon from head to toe. Do you have a specific uniform?

This outfit should present you as an expert in your field, exuding professionalism, polish, and expertise. While it’s true that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, let’s face it—we all do. Think of this as your headshot outfit; if your audience were to see just one outfit, this should be the one.

Here are a few examples by industry:

• Esthetician: Embroidered Scrubs
• Fitness Trainer: Matching workout set
• Realtor: Dress and Heels, Suit Coat/ Blazer, Button-up shirt and tie
• Balloon Artist: Fun Blazer, Jeans, and Heels
• Photographer: Blazer, Jeans, and Tennis Shoes
• Interior Designer: Fun Printed Dress
• Financial Advisor: Suit and Tie or Dress Pants and Nice Top
• Artist: Painted Overalls

Casual But True To Brand

What constitutes a casual outfit will vary depending on your personal style and business. While you might typically wear leggings, a baggy tee, and a top knot, consider whether that’s the way you’d like to present yourself to your clients in a casual setting. Perhaps casual for you means jeans and a nice top or reflects your shoe preference, be it flats, heels, or fun sneakers.

This outfit should showcase your personality while still resembling your everyday attire.

A few examples:

• Jeans and Tee with Blazer
• Dress with Sneakers
• Jeans with Dress Shirt
• Dress and Jean Jacket
• Shorts with Tank Top

Unleash Your Creativity: The Wildcard Outfit

A brand photoshoot is an opportunity to represent your business, but it’s also a chance to let your personality shine. This is where the fun outfits come into play. What could you wear that reflects who you are or showcases your interests? Are you an die-hard fan of a specific sports team (like my husband’s love for the Michigan Wolverines)? Perhaps you love sequins and want to wear a sequin blazer for a celebratory photo. Or maybe you’d like to highlight a hobby you enjoy, such as cycling classes or painting.

This outfit is your chance to be different, unique, and provide your audience with something relatable. Often, when my clients incorporate these types of outfits, they receive more engagement, as people are drawn to commonalities.

A few examples:

• Workout outfit for fitness photos
• Apron for baking
• Favorite team jersey or hat
• T-shirt with a fun graphic
• Favorite band shirt

By combining these three outfit categories, you’ll bring variety, personality, and intrigue to your brand photoshoot, capturing the essence of your business and captivating your audience.