Photography
How to Prepare for a Photoshoot: What to Wear and What to Bring
If you have booked a portrait or headshot session and you are already fretting about what to wear, take a breath. Here is the core answer up front: the best way to prepare for a photoshoot is to wear well-fitting, solid or subtly textured clothing in colours that suit you, arrive with your skin and hair sorted the day before, bring 2 to 3 outfit options plus a few small props, and give yourself a buffer so you turn up calm rather than rushed. Nerves before a first shoot are completely normal, and almost all of them come from not knowing what to plan for. This guide walks you through the outfits, grooming, timing and location choices that consistently produce photos you will actually want to use, drawn from years of shooting real people across Adelaide.
Key takeaway
Preparing for a photoshoot comes down to 4 things done in advance: choose 2 to 3 well-fitting outfits in flattering solid colours, sort grooming the day before rather than the morning of, bring the small extras (steamer touch-ups, a second top, water, any meaningful props), and build in a time buffer so you arrive relaxed. Do that and the session runs on confidence instead of guesswork.
What to Wear: Outfits That Photograph Well
The camera reads clothing differently to the mirror, so a few simple rules save you from surprises on the day.
Go for solid colours or subtle texture. Tight patterns like fine stripes, small checks and herringbone can create a shimmering moire effect on camera, and busy prints pull attention away from your face. Solid tones and gentle textures (a chunky knit, soft linen, a matte weave) photograph cleanly and let you be the focus.
Fit matters more than brand. Clothing that skims your shape looks far better than anything baggy or straining at the buttons. If a jacket or shirt fits well in real life, it will read well in the photo. Bring a couple of options in case something creases or the light favours one over another.
Choose colours that flatter your skin tone. Deep jewel tones (navy, forest, burgundy, plum) suit most people and read as premium. Mid-tones photograph more forgivingly than stark pure white or dead black, both of which can blow out or lose all detail under strong light. If you want white, an off-white or cream is safer.
Dress for the purpose. A LinkedIn headshot wants a clean, professional layer such as a blazer or a crisp shirt. A personal branding or creative portrait can carry more personality and colour. If the shoot is for a specific use (a website About page, an acting profile, a company directory), tell your photographer so the styling matches the end result.
Mind the small details that ruin an otherwise great frame: iron out creases, check for lint and pet hair, and be careful with logos or slogans that date the image or clash with the mood you want.
Grooming and Skin Prep Before Your Session
Good grooming is about looking like the best-rested version of yourself, not unrecognisable.
Do the big things the day before, not the morning of. A fresh haircut looks its best after a few days of settling, so book it 3 to 5 days ahead rather than the night before. The same goes for any beauty treatment or tan. Same-day changes are the ones people regret in photos.
Hydrate and sleep. Well-rested skin and a good night's sleep do more for a portrait than any last-minute product. Drink water in the days leading up, and go easy on salt and alcohol the night before to avoid puffiness.
Keep skin matte where it counts. Skin that is a little shiny under lights photographs as glare on the forehead, nose and cheeks. A light dusting of translucent powder, or a professional make-up artist if the shoot warrants it, keeps things even. Men benefit from a matte moisturiser too.
Hands, nails and details show up. If your hands will be in frame (crossed arms, holding a tool of your trade, resting on a desk), tidy your nails. Small things like a stray thread, a twisted collar or a smudged lens on your glasses are the ones that cost you an otherwise perfect shot.
Bring your own touch-up kit: a comb, powder, lip balm, and anything you use daily. You know your face better than anyone.
What to Bring on the Day
A short packing list removes most on-the-day stress. Bring more than you think you need; it is easier to leave options in the bag than to wish you had them.
- 2 to 3 complete outfits, on hangers where possible so they stay crease-free. - Layers that change the look fast: a jacket, a scarf, a different collar. One outfit can become 3 looks with smart layering. - Any meaningful props or tools of your trade, especially for a personal branding shoot. A chef with their knives, a musician with their instrument, a tradesperson with a signature piece of kit all add authenticity. - A small grooming kit: comb, powder, lip balm, safety pins, a lint roller and a mini steamer or wrinkle-release spray. - Water and a light snack, particularly for longer sessions. Energy shows on your face. - Reference images if you have a specific style in mind. A few examples of poses or a mood you like give your photographer a clear starting point. - Comfortable shoes for getting between locations, plus the shoes you actually want in the frame.
If children or a partner are part of the shoot, pack for them too: a change of clothes, a favourite toy to keep a child settled, and a bit of patience built into the schedule.
Timing, Location and Arriving Calm
When and where you shoot shapes the final image as much as what you wear.
Plan for the light. For outdoor portraits, the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset (the golden hour) give soft, flattering light with no harsh shadows. Adelaide summers get bright and contrasty by mid-morning, so early or late is kinder to skin and easier on the eyes. In a studio, light is controlled, so time of day matters less and you have more flexibility.
Choose a location that fits the story. Adelaide has plenty of strong backdrops: the parklands and Botanic Garden for greenery, the West End and East End laneways for texture and character, Glenelg and the coast for open light, and North Terrace for a clean, considered feel. A studio suits headshots and branding work where you want zero distraction and full control. Talk through the location with your photographer beforehand so you dress for the setting and the season.
Build in a buffer. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early lets you settle, check your outfit, fix your hair and shake off the travel. Rushing in flustered shows in the first frames, and warming up on camera takes a few minutes for almost everyone. That is completely normal.
Bring the right headspace. The people who photograph best are not the most conventionally photogenic; they are the ones who relaxed into it. Trust that your photographer will direct you on where to look, how to stand and what to do with your hands. Your only job is to turn up prepared and let them guide the rest. A little conversation and a few practice frames at the start settle almost everyone.
JLM Studios shoots portraits, headshots and personal branding across Adelaide metro and within 100km of the CBD, and can talk you through outfits and location before the day so you arrive ready. If you have a shoot coming up and want a hand planning it, get in touch on +61 424 965 133 or jlmstudios75@gmail.com.
Frequently asked questions
What colours should you avoid wearing in a photoshoot?
Avoid tight patterns like fine stripes and small checks, which can create a distracting moire shimmer on camera, and be cautious with pure bright white or dead black, which can blow out or lose all detail under strong light. Neon shades can also cast a colour tint onto your skin. Solid mid-tones and deep jewel colours such as navy, burgundy and forest green are the safest, most flattering choices.
How early should I arrive for a portrait or headshot session?
Aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. That buffer lets you settle after the trip, check your outfit for creases, fix your hair and calm any nerves before the camera comes out. Nearly everyone needs a few minutes to warm up on camera, so arriving relaxed rather than rushed genuinely improves your first frames.
Should I get a haircut or beauty treatment right before a shoot?
Do it a few days ahead, not the night before. A fresh haircut usually looks its best after 3 to 5 days of settling, and the same applies to tans and beauty treatments. Same-day changes are the ones people most often regret in their photos, so give any grooming time to look natural.
What should I bring to a personal branding photoshoot?
Bring 2 to 3 outfits that reflect how you want to be seen, layers such as a jacket or scarf to vary the look quickly, and the real tools of your trade (a chef's knives, a musician's instrument, a tradesperson's signature kit) to add authenticity. Add a small grooming kit, water, a few reference images of styles you like, and comfortable shoes for moving between locations.