The Ultimate Outfit Guide: For Your Photoshoot in Northern Colorado
Choosing the right outfits can be one of the hardest parts of preparing for your photoshoot, but keeping things simple makes it much easier to find pieces that work well together. The right outfit can completely elevate your gallery, while the wrong one can pull attention away from the feeling and connection you want in your photos.
As a photographer, I’ve seen what photographs beautifully and what can clash or become distracting. In this ultimate outfit guide, I’ve created six simple tips to help make the process easier and more intentional. These tips are designed to complement not only the emotion and feel of your photos, but also my editing style and the natural landscapes of Colorado, helping create the best possible outcome for your gallery.
Stick to Neutrals + Soft Colors
Neutral and soft tones tend to photograph the most naturally, especially against Colorado’s landscapes. Colors like cream, beige, white, soft brown, sage, dusty blue, and muted pinks help create a cohesive look without distracting from the emotion and connection in your photos.
Think earthy tones when choosing your outfits, these colors photograph beautifully in almost every setting and help create a cohesive, natural look in your gallery. These shades can also help bring out the Colorado landscapes in your photos.
Choosing colors that coordinate will create a more natural and elevated look. Try selecting tones that complement each other and fit within the same color palette. Neutrals and soft colors help create a clean and polished feel while still allowing your personality to shine through.
If you're unsure about colors, lay the outfits next to each other beforehand to make sure the tones flow well together. I would also suggest trying on everything ahead of time to see if anything feels missing. You can then add layers, or accessories to further elevate the look.
Avoid These Items
While you should absolutely wear something that feels true to you, there are a few clothing choices that tend to photograph less favorably on camera. Certain patterns, colors, and accessories can become distracting and pull attention away from the connection and emotion in your photos. Keeping outfits simple and intentional helps create a more timeless and polished gallery.
Items to Avoid:
* Neon or extremely bright colors
* Busy patterns or large logos
* Matching everyone in the exact same outfit
* Wrinkled, stained and holes in clothing or shoes
* Athletic wear, Apple Watches and hair ties on the wrist (unless it fits your vision and style)
* Clothing with distracting graphics or text
* Super trendy pieces that may look dated later
* Clothing that doesn't fit well that constantly needs adjusting or doest flatter your body shape
* Shoes that clash with the outfit or location
Remember, when choosing outfits, simplicity almost always photographs best, but always wear what feels true to you.
Coordinate, Don't Match
When planning outfits for your session, the goal is to create a cohesive look rather than everyone wearing the exact same thing. Matching outfits can sometimes feel stiff or overly uniform, while coordinating allows for a more natural, effortless, and visually interesting result.
Coordinating allows each person’s personality and style to shine through while still creating a cohesive look in your photos. Choosing colors that complement each other adds more depth, dimension, and visual interest to your gallery without looking overly stiff or outdated.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a color palette of 3–5 tones and mix them throughout everyone’s outfits. This keeps everything looking connected while still feeling natural and effortless.
Textures and layers can also help add variety without clashing. Knit sweaters, linen, denim, flowy dresses, and subtle patterns can make outfits feel more visually balanced and elevated on camera.
Choose Movement + Comfort
One of the most important things to consider when planning your outfits is how the outfit feels. If you're uncomfortable, constantly adjusting your clothing, or unable to move naturally, it will show in your photos. The best outfits are the ones that not only look beautiful, but also allow you to relax, move freely, and fully enjoy your session.
Flowy dresses, loose fabrics, layered textures, and clothing with movement tend to photograph beautifully because they create natural motion and softness in your images. Think about outfits that allow you to walk comfortably, sit naturally, dance with your partner, or move freely throughout your session without feeling restricted.
This is especially important for outdoor locations where there may be walking, hiking, wind, or constantly changing scenery. Choosing comfortable shoes, well fitting clothing, and breathable fabrics will help you stay focused on the experience instead of worrying about your outfit.
For individual portraits, comfort also plays a huge role in confidence. When you feel good in what you're wearing, it shows in your posture, expressions, and overall energy in your photos.
Dress for the Seasons in Colorado
Colorado weather can change quickly, especially in Northern Colorado, so choosing outfits that work well with the season is incredibly important. Dressing appropriately for the weather not only keeps you comfortable during your session, but also helps your photos feel natural and cohesive with the scenery around you.
In the spring, softer colors, layers, and flowy fabrics photograph beautifully as everything begins to bloom. Keep in mind that spring weather in Colorado can still feel chilly and unpredictable, especially in the mornings and evenings, so bringing extra layers is always a good idea.
Summer sessions are perfect for lighter fabrics, breathable clothing, and earthy or neutral tones that complement Colorado’s green landscapes and golden sunsets. Since summer days can be warm, especially during outdoor sessions or hikes, comfort and breathable materials are key.
Fall is one of the most popular seasons for photos in Colorado because of the changing leaves and warm tones. Rich neutrals, earthy colors, cozy textures, and layered outfits photograph beautifully during this season. Sweaters, long dresses, boots, and jackets can add both warmth and dimension to your photos.
Winter sessions can feel incredibly romantic and moody, especially in snowy mountain locations. Neutral colors, long coats, scarves, textured layers, and warm accessories photograph beautifully while also helping you stay comfortable in colder temperatures.
No matter the season, I always recommend checking the weather leading up to your session and planning outfits that keep you comfortable while still fitting your vision and style.
Don't Forget the Details
The small details often make the biggest difference in how your final images feel. Once you’ve chosen your main outfits, take a moment to think through the finishing touches that bring everything together in a more intentional way.
Accessories like simple jewelry, hats, belts, or layered pieces can add personality without overpowering your look. The key is to keep them subtle and cohesive with your overall outfit rather than being distracting or overly bold.
Shoes are another detail that can easily be overlooked but are still important. Choose footwear that fits the location and feels comfortable enough to move in, while still complementing your outfit.
Hair and grooming also play a role in the overall feel of your images. Soft, natural styling usually looks beautiful, especially in outdoor settings where movement and wind can add to the aesthetic. For makeup, leaning into a natural, enhanced version of your everyday look helps you still feel like yourself while photographing well on camera.
Even small things like manicured nails, ironing or steaming outfits, and checking for lint or wrinkles can elevate the final result more than you might expect. These little details help ensure everything feels cohesive and intentional so the focus stays on you.
My Biggest Takeaway
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing for your photoshoot. Please don't wear something that doesn't feel true to you, this guide is simply here to help you feel more intentional in your choices, not to overcomplicate the process. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it naturally shows in your photos creating an effortless feel to your gallery.
If you still have questions after reading this guide or aren’t quite sure where to start, there’s no need to stress about getting everything perfectly aligned with these tips. I’m always available to provide styling guidance and support as you prepare for your photoshoot, so you feel confident and taken care of every step of the way.
