Tips from an Expert: What to Wear to my Puerto Rico photo session?
What to wear to a photoshoot?
On a recent Q&A on my Instagram stories, a client asked me what they should wear for an engagement session. Right there, I wondered why I never did a blog post on it, as it's a question that recurrently pops up during the consultation stage of my services. So let's talk about choosing the perfect outfit for your photos in Puerto Rico.
No matter if it's a family photoshoot, engagement session, anniversary, or vacation photos in Puerto Rico, there are a few principles that are the same on what to wear to a photoshoot.
You will sweat.
99% of my portrait sessions are outdoors. In Puerto Rico, this means high humidity and year-round temperatures close to the 90°F/32°C. Choose breathable fabrics that do not stain with sweat, and wear an undershirt.
A great tip is spraying water on your clothes and checking if it shows a stain. If it does, you might need to reconsider.
You will move a lot.
If you're doing a group or couples session, there will probably be human contact, hugging, and touching. And even if you're doing a solo portrait session, you will walk, sit and move around a lot for different takes. Choose an outfit that fits perfectly, does not ride up or down, and that you don't need to be continually adjusting.
Also, please don't bring shoes you can't walk in. Most photo sessions, particularly in Old San Juan, involve a lot of walking. I always recommend bringing at least a pair of flip-flops to change to when your feet start getting fatigue.
Don't wear any brand new items without trying them on for a full day first. Especially if it's a style that you're not used to wearing. And talking about that...
Wear something true to you & your body
When you're selecting your photoshoot wardrobe, ask yourself: "Would I wear that outfit again in a different setting?" If not, you might feel awkward or self-conscious during your photo session, which can be a challenge for your photographer.
If you like to dress up, do it! If you're casual, then by all means, wear something casual. Authenticity in your portraits will start by what you bring into the portrait session. When you're always thinking about how you look, you can't put yourself at ease and won't enjoy the creative process of the photo session.
Set yourself up for success by wearing something that feels natural to you.
Create your own mood board
Some photographers will send out styling manuals or mood boards to guide their clients into choosing outfits that look nice for photos. However, since I strive for authenticity, your look should fit your bodies and personalities.
For consistency, I do recommend that the outfits match in color, print, and formality. Busy patterns are trending right now, but maybe only one of you should wear prints. In contrast, the other(s) can wear a solid color complementary to the person wearing the print look.
I hope these help!
xo,
Cami
