You’ve booked your session. You’re excited. Then you open your closet and the anxiety sets in. “What do I even wear?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear at Michael Photography, and it makes complete sense — nobody wants to look back at their portraits and wish they’d chosen differently. The good news is that getting dressed for a portrait session isn’t about fashion. It’s about a few simple principles that, once you understand them, make the whole thing feel a lot easier.
Clothing matters more than most people expect, and not for the reasons you might think.
Why What You Wear Changes Everything
The goal of a great portrait is to put the focus on your face — your expression, your personality, your connection with the people next to you. Clothing is supposed to support that, not compete with it. When an outfit is working, you don’t notice it. When it isn’t, it’s the first thing your eye goes to in the image.
**The best outfit for a portrait session is one that disappears into the story and lets your face do the talking.**
A bright neon shirt, a busy plaid, or a giant logo across the chest pulls the viewer’s eye away from you. On the other hand, a well-fitted sweater in a warm earth tone or a deep jewel color frames your face and feels timeless ten years from now. That’s the target.
The Core Principles That Apply to Every Session
Coordinate, don’t match. When a family all wears the exact same color shirt, it reads as a uniform. Instead, choose a palette of two or three colors — say, navy, cream, and a warm rust — and let each person wear something within that range. The result looks intentional and layered rather than staged.
Stick to a limited color story. Pick your palette before you pick your outfits. Neutrals, earth tones, and deep jewel tones photograph beautifully and hold up over time. Light tones give portraits an airy, soft feel. Darker tones feel more dramatic and grounded. Neither is wrong — just know the mood you’re going for.
Choose solids and subtle textures over loud patterns. Fine stripes and small checks can create a shimmer effect on camera that’s genuinely distracting. Large logos pull focus. A cable-knit sweater, a chambray shirt, or a linen jacket all add visual interest without the noise.
Think about your location. We serve Genesee County and all surrounding communities, which means we shoot in areas full of green and gold, maybe against warm brick, open fields, studio backdrops, and snowy winter scenes. A pale beige outfit can disappear into a sandy background. A rich burgundy pops against fall foliage. When in doubt, ask us — we know these locations and can point you in the right direction.
Fit and Comfort Are Non-Negotiable
If you spend the entire session tugging at a waistband or adjusting a neckline, it shows. Not because you look bad, but because you look distracted. Wear clothes that fit the way you actually look today — not clothes you’re hoping to grow into or ones that have gotten a little snug.
Layers are your friend. A cardigan, jacket, or open button-down gives you flexibility and adds dimension to the image. Sleeves are also worth considering for anyone who feels self-conscious about their arms — a three-quarter sleeve or a lightweight long-sleeve can make a big difference in how comfortable and confident you feel in front of the camera.
For High School Seniors
Senior portraits are a celebration, and they should feel like one. Your session is a chance to show who you actually are — not just a formal version of yourself. Your session length will guide how many outfits to bring, so ask us what’s right for your package, but in general, plan for a mix.
Think about one dressy look, one casual look, and one that represents something you love — your sport, your instrument, your letterman jacket, your hobby. Those “personality” shots are often the ones families treasure most.
A few things that make a real difference in senior portraits:
Jeans should fit well. Full-length shots show everything from shoes to shoulders, so avoid jeans that bunch or sag unless that is specific to the look that you want.
Shoes matter more than you’d expect. Bring more than one pair if you’re doing outfit changes.
Props are welcome. Sports gear, instruments, helmets, artwork — bring what tells your story.
Avoid brand-new shoes. They’re stiff, they don’t move naturally, and breaking them in the day before a session is a recipe for discomfort.
For Family Portraits
Start with one person — usually the person whose outfit is hardest to plan, often a toddler or a teenager — and build the rest of the family’s looks around that. It’s much easier to match to one anchor outfit than to try to coordinate five people from scratch.
Choose a palette of about three colors plus a neutral (white, cream, tan, grey, or black). Not everyone needs to wear all three colors. Some family members can wear one, some can layer two. The variety is what makes it look natural.
Dress the little ones last. Kids’ outfits get juice on them, grass stains on them, and untucked within thirty seconds. Save the final getting-dressed step for the youngest members of the group, and bring a backup outfit for any child under five. It’s not pessimism — it’s experience.
Make sure everyone is at the same level of formality. Dad in a suit next to a child in overalls creates a disconnect that no amount of posing can fix. Casual, business casual, or dressy — pick one lane and stay in it.
For Headshots and Professional Portraits
Professional headshots have one job: to make you look like the most confident, capable version of yourself. The rule we always suggest is to dress one notch above your daily work attire. If you normally wear jeans and a polo, step up to a blazer. If you wear business casual every day, consider something a little more polished.
Solid mid-tones photograph best for headshots. Avoid pure white — it can blow out near your face and create unflattering contrast. Avoid pure black for the same reason, especially against a dark backdrop. Navy, slate blue, forest green, burgundy, charcoal, and warm grey all tend to work exceptionally well.
Keep jewelry simple. A bold statement necklace or large earrings can distract from your face in a tight crop. If you wear glasses, let us know ahead of time — we can adjust lighting angles to reduce glare significantly.
Seasonal Notes for Michigan Sessions
Michigan’s seasons are genuinely beautiful, and each one comes with its own wardrobe considerations. For spring and fall sessions, layers are smart — temperatures can shift by twenty degrees between when you arrive and when we wrap up. For summer, breathable fabrics matter; you’ll be more comfortable and you’ll photograph better when you’re not overheated. For winter sessions, lean into it. A structured coat, tall boots, and a warm scarf worn intentionally look far better than someone clearly trying to ignore the cold.
Your Session-Day Checklist
Bring everything pressed, prepared, and ready to go so the morning of your session stays calm.
– Steam or iron every outfit the night before — wrinkles photograph clearly
– Transport outfits on hangers, not folded in a bag
– Wear undergarments that won’t show (nude tones, seamless, no visible straps)
– Do hair and nails before the session, not after
– Keep jewelry simple unless it’s intentional to your look
– Bring chapstick — camera-ready lips matter more than people realize
– Pack a small snack and water, especially if you have kids or a longer session
– Leave the brand-new shoes at home
One Last Thing Before Your Session
If you’re still uncertain about an outfit — or you want a second opinion before session day — reach out to us. That’s genuinely part of what we’re here for. Michael Photography is a Professional Photography Studio, and helping you feel prepared is as important to us as the photography itself. Being prepared is essential, and that is why we have consultations with no obligation prior to scheduling a photo session.
The more comfortable and confident you feel walking in, the better your portraits will be. Clothing is just one piece of that, but it’s a piece you can absolutely get right — and now you know how.