What to wear
Two looks: one the family will hang, one the subject actually wears. Solid colours over logos; logos date the photograph within a year. Comfortable…
In short: Two looks: one the family will hang, one the subject actually wears. Solid colours over logos; logos date the photograph within a year. Comfortable shoes for the walking frames and something with structure at the shoulder for the clean portrait.
Colour. Solid over logo. School and university logos date a photograph within a year, and the frame that lasts is the one that does not announce the year it was taken.
Fabric. Structure at the shoulder for the clean portrait, something soft for the frames that look like them. Two looks, no more.
Footwear. Walkable — campus sessions cover ground — and visible in every full-length frame.
The thing that ruins frames. An outfit chosen entirely by a parent. It shows in the face for the whole session and it is the most common reason these galleries feel stiff.
In the bag. Blotting papers, a comb, a lint roller, and whatever object represents the four years — instrument, kit, folder. It gives the hands a job and dates the photograph honestly.
Final-year students in the US tradition, and anyone marking the end of school with a portrait rather than a yearbook thumbnail.
Location changes the answer: Campus for context, one outdoor location for light, and somewhere personal if there is one. Two locations inside ninety minutes is realistic; three is not.
Planning pressure to account for: Booking at midday in full sun. Letting parents direct from the sidelines. And shooting only the smart look, so nothing in the gallery looks like the person.
Bring each proposed outfit as a complete look, including its shoes and accessories. The final choice is made against the actual background and light rather than from a generic colour rule.
Two looks: one the family will hang, one the subject actually wears. Solid colours over logos; logos date the photograph within a year. Comfortable shoes for the walking frames and something with structure at the shoulder for the clean portrait.
For a one-hour session, plan one complete look and one quick variation such as a jacket, shoe or jewellery change. Two hours can normally support two or three resolved looks. More changes reduce shooting time, so photograph the most important outfit first and treat extras as options rather than promises.
Choose colours that separate clearly from the location and suit the intended use of the pictures. Solid tones and controlled texture are reliable; very fine checks, tiny stripes and reflective logos can distract or produce moiré. Send phone photographs of the options with the brief if you want a decision before the shoot.
Bring the garments on proper hangers, matching underwear, the shoes for every full-length look, a lint roller and simple touch-up products. Pack one neutral backup layer. Steam everything beforehand, but keep a small steamer nearby for travel creases and final adjustments on set.
Send the date, location and what you need photographed.