Dressing correctly for your lifestyle branding photoshoot is a must.  

Here is why.

Your wardrobe choices need to be purposeful, cohesive, and stylish, and I would dare to say too timeless so that your photos turn out amazing.

Whether you hired a wardrobe stylist or not, these are FIVE (5) things to keep in mind when selecting your outfits for your lifestyle branding photoshoot:

• Clothing choices must match your [personal] brand image
• What you wear must communicate personality, professionalism, and your own sense of style
• What you wear must appeal to your audience and customers
• What you wear must be comfortable
• What you wear you must love and love how it makes you look

Already noted down? Great!

I know...selecting outfits is not easy for everyone. 

That is why I have put together these 8 wardrobe tips for your lifestyle branding session that will help you tremendously in deciding what to bring.

Let's take a look...

TIP #1:  Wear solid colors vs. prints

• Solid colors are less distracting
• Prints can be distracting and take away the attention from you or clash in busy backgrounds unless it is your brand logo
• If you choose a print make sure it suits your brand, brand colors, or your personality
• Avoid busy prints and wild patterns that will claim the viewer's attention
• Avoid prints with dates, faces, etc. 

TIP #2:  Wear your brand colors, if applicable

• The palette color of your wardrobe choices should match and combine with your brand colors
• Be tasteful and creative incorporating your brand colors using accessories or outfit pieces.
• You can use bags, scarves, tights, shoes, headpieces, props, etc. to incorporate your brand colors.
• Avoid neon or bright colors that will overpower the viewer's attention (if part of your brand colors, use them subtly)

TIP #3: Wear clothes that fit, look well, and feels good

• Must be comfortable
• Must be properly fitted
• Must look professional 
• Must complement your figure
• Remove tags that irritate or itch your skin
• must be stylish and timeless so that you can use your images over and over again
• Avoid loose, slouchy, ill-fitting, tight, skin-tight, and uncomfortable pieces
• Avoid fabrics that are fastidious, irritating, or itchy
• Avoid clothing that you wouldn't normally wear so that you feel yourself at all times
• Avoid trendy pieces -- this is not a fashion trend photoshoot

TIP #4: Get a manicure and pedicure as part of your wardrobe prep

• Hands are important in a photoshoot because they are visible all the time
• Unmanicured nails look bad and can ruin a headshot or a nice closeup pose
• Feet are not as visible but if you decide to wear sandals, they will become more visible
• Choose a neutral, natural, or color that matches or combines with your brand color palette

TIP #5: Accessorize your outfit

• Use bags, shoes, scarves, sunshades to make your outfit more stylish
• Jewelry completes an outfit, but be careful not to overdo it, try to remain elegant and polished
• Avoid using outlandish, trendy, bold, or statement pieces that will steal away the focus from you

TIP #6: Bring clean and ironed or steamed wardrobe

• Make sure your clothes are clean (no makeup, grease, or food stains)
• Bring ironed or steamed clothing
• Wrinkles and pronounced creases are distracting and take away the attention from you
• Bring clothing in good condition
• Avoid clothing that is old, dated, and worn out - don't photograph well and are distracting

TIP #7:  Wear heels 

• Heels elevate (literally) your outfit to the next level
• Heels help elongate the body from toes up and make you longer, which is very flattering
• Wear comfortable heels
• Bring a combination of dressier shoes, sandals, booties depending on the season
• Bring shoes in good condition and versatile
• If wearing tights or nylons try to keep the shoes in the same color
• Avoid old beaten shoes or brand new ones that you have not broken into 

TIP #8:  Bring clothing options and consider the season

• Bring at least 4 pre-styled looks to play with
• Bring a few extra tops or bottoms just in case we need to restyle certain looks or create new or extra ones
• Bring a combination of dressy, business, and casual looks to add to your pool of choices and uses
• Keep in mind the season of the photoshoot to put together your outfits
• Avoid bringing skin-tight or revealing pieces that show too much skin, low-cut tops, mini dresses, or skirts.
• Avoid too seasonal pieces of clothing

BONUS TIP:  Wear shapewear | Undergarments matter

• they lift
• they tighten
• they shape
• they smooth out bumps, lines, and underwear
• they make curves wow!

Remember that the goal of your lifestyle/branding images is to:

• Showcase you and your wonderful personality for your business and self-promotion
• Look polished and professional at all times so that your audience take you seriously