What to Wear: Equine Portrait Session
Let’s be honest, choosing what to wear can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you want your session to feel meaningful and look polished. Whether you’ve already booked your shoot or you’re still in the planning stages, this guide is here to make things simple. These tips will help you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to create something beautiful with your horse.
General Outfit Suggestions
1. Stick to Solids
Solid colors keep the focus on you and your horse. They also make it easier to edit out any dust, hair, or, let’s be honest, slobber that might sneak into the shot. Darker hues are generally flattering, but don’t be afraid to add a pop of color if that’s your style.
2. Mind Patterns, Logos, and Graphics
Prints are fine as long as they’re not too small (checkers, houndstooth, etc) or too big. The best way to determine if a print is too large is to do a squint test. Lay your outfit out and squint. If the print still looks too large, bold, or crazy, it’s probably not good for the camera. Avoid logos and graphics unless they are part of your brand or have sentimental value.
3. Keep it Simple
Choose outfits that are comfortable and easy to move in, like a well-fitting t-shirt with jeans, a casual dress, or a nice jacket. Complicated outfits can leave you fidgeting, and we want you relaxed and enjoying the moment.
4. Consider Your Glasses
If you wear glasses, you’ve probably experienced that annoying lens glare in photos. To avoid this, consider removing the lenses or wearing contacts during the session.
5. Wear What You Love
Now’s not the time to experiment with a brand-new wardrobe. Stick to clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable, maybe just skip the athleisure this time. When you’re at ease in your outfit, it shows in the photos.
6. Choose Confidence-Boosting Clothes
Pick pieces that make you feel unstoppable, whether that’s a leather jacket or a flowy dress. Confidence is key and will shine through in your photos.
7. Opt for Fitted Clothes
Well-fitted clothes not only flatter your figure but also make posing easier. Avoid overly loose or baggy items that can add bulk in photos.
8. Dress for the Occasion
Consider the location and weather. If we’re shooting in a grassy field, maybe skip the stilettos. And remember, Georgia summers can be toasty, dress appropriately so you’re comfortable throughout the session.
9. Avoid Ripped Clothing
Unless it’s a deliberate style choice, opt for clothing without holes to avoid drawing attention away from you.
10. Mind Your Undergarments
Choose undergarments that complement your outfit, avoiding visible lines or distractions. Expert tip: White bras will show under a white shirt
11. Pay Attention to Necklines
Be mindful of how much cleavage you’re comfortable showing, and ensure collars fit well for a polished look. Pro tip: ladies- move around and bend over in front of a mirror to be safe.
12. Bring Extra Outfits
Not only is there a high risk of your horse snotting on you in the first five minutes of our session, having multiple outfits that vary in length and texture is a great way to add variety to your shoot.
13. Minimize Jewelry
Simple, everyday jewelry works best. Let’s leave the smartwatches, fitness trackers, and extra hair ties at home to keep the focus on you and your horse.
14. Empty Your Pockets
Before we start, make sure your pockets are free of phones, wallets, or keys. Bulky items can create unflattering lines and distract from the overall image.
15. Avoid Pure Black or White
These are excellent color choices but I recommend adding texture or a layer with some color. Black on camera can add bulk. If you do opt for black, please make sure it is sheer or lace or has a deeper neckline. For more details on color choices including how to match your horse’s coat or your own skin tones, check out my blog on Mastering Your Equine Photo Shoot Wardrobe
16. Bring “In-Between” Clothing
Keep in mind that there will be downtime in between locations. If you’ve opted to wear heels or an outfit that isn’t quite warm enough, make sure to bring comfy shoes or a jacket for those moments we’re not taking photos. You won’t regret the extra comfort.
Women: What to Wear
- Layer with jackets, scarves, cardigans, or vests to add texture and personality.
- Avoid spaghetti straps or strapless tops to maintain a flattering silhouette.
- Consider skipping shorts and opting for knee-length dresses
Men: What to Wear
- Business casual is great. If you want a more relaxed look, a plain, cotton shirt or polo works great.
- Choose a heavier material for your shirts to avoid wrinkles.
- Jeans or casual trousers are versatile options that pair well with most outfits.
- Steer clear of white button-down shirts for a more dynamic look.
Branding: What to Wear
- Dress for your clients: If you wear scrubs to your client’s sessions, I would not recommend wearing a t-shirt. It creates a mental disconnect with your audience. Clients work with people they trust. Make sure that the pictures people see on your social channels reflect who they see in person.
- Choose colors that complement your brand’s aesthetic for cohesive branding. Leave that hot pink shirt at home if your brand is muted blues and off-whites.
How to Prepare Clothing for Your Equine Photography Session
- Test your outfits beforehand. Walk in those heels, bend over in that low cut shirt, kneel in those jeans and check for unwanted underwear appearances.
- Launder and iron your clothes to look and feel your best. Wrinkles and stains will show up more in camera. Don’t settle for “good enough”
- Bring clothes on hangers to minimize wrinkles and make finding your next outfit easier.
- Wear something else while traveling and prepping your horse. It’ll cut down on wrinkles and you can still use your pants as a napkin.
Still not sure?
If you’re staring at your closet feeling overwhelmed, just shoot me a message. I’m always happy to help you plan your outfits so you feel completely confident walking into your session.
Can’t wait to see what you choose. We’re going to make some beautiful memories.
