Now that you booked your photo session, now is the time to start planning! This blog post is all about what to wear style tips for guys at photo sessions.

Jeans and a button up shirt

Jeans and a button up shirt is a great option for guys! It can either be casual or more formal. Button up long sleeves are most flattering. The other benefit to long sleeves is we can roll the sleeves up for a slightly more casual look, which gives you two looks with one shirt.

Dress pants, a solid color pant or nice dark-washed jeans work best.

If you are wanting a great fitted shirt, check out RW&Co!

Colors

For colors, I recommend neutrals and avoid neons or super bright colors. When selecting your pieces, I recommend choosing a different “weight” for the top and bottom half. For example, navy pants (darker) and a gray button up (lighter). Or gray pants (darker) with a soft light blue shirt (lighter).

Solid colors will help keep the attention where it belongs, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye, so stay away from too strong of prints, avoid logos and opt for solids instead.

Layered Look

Adding extra layers will bring additional dimension and visual interest to your photos. A blazer, sport coat or jacket has a flattering effect for mens bodies. Layers on men look great on camera! Even when it’s hot outside, it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you a lifetime. (We can take breaks with the coat on and off to cool down.)

Be sure to bring a leather or denim jacket with you for more variety in your photos.

It’s all in the Details

When selecting an outfit for photos, the most important part isn’t the price. It’s the fit. For men, it’s important to have a jacket that fits snugly (but not too tight), shirts that aren’t too tight (to show off the “dad” bod) and pants that are the correct length. Bunched up fabric stacked on top of a man’s shoes actually makes him look physically shorter than he really is.

Long pants with closed-toed shoes is the most sophisticated and masculine look for a man. They draw attention away from your legs and feet, and place it where you want it: on your face!

So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts and sandals at home if you are going for more of the dressy look. (Unless you are at the beach – the bring on the bare feet and shorts!)

Shoes

Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look, whether you’re wearing dress pants, colored pants or dark-washed jeans. As opposed to athletic shoes, dress shoes, help elevate your photos and will give them a more editorial look.  Just make sure to match the rest of the people in your family – dressy or casual.

Like I mentioned above, if you are at the beach, bare feet or sandals are best so you match the surroundings.

Casual Outfits

Most guys don’t enjoy dressing up if they don’t have to, and that is totally ok! Some tips for casual outfits: Don’t wear socks and sandals. Don’t wear your old runners.  No logos on your shirt. (It’s distracting!) No neon! (It leaves a terrible color cast on them when the sun shines – a photographers nightmare when editing!)

Hats

I don’t usually recommend baseball hats. Take a peek at my blog post that is all about guys and hats.  There is so much info that I just had to put it in its own section. You can check that out here.

If you do want to wear a hat to your session, check out this post about the best kind of hat to wear!

Empty your Pockets

When you all arrive at the session, be sure to take out the wallet, cell phone and keys from the pockets.  They will leave bulky bumps in all the wrong places. 

I hope this blog post helped to know style tips for guys at photo sessions. Let me know if you have any questions!