Powerful Tips to Instantly Improve Your Clothing for Your Photoshoot: Color Theory

Do you have a photography session coming up? Are you a photographer looking to guide your clients clothing choices? Clothing and accessories are a large part of what makes your photography session go from good to great! When deciding what to wear, there are a few "rules" to follow when considering color. These rules are largely based on color theory, which also applies to the art of photography.

1. Complementary Colors: As shown in the picture above, the orange and the blue look great together! When matching up colors of the clothing you wear, consider the color wheel. Colors that are opposite on the color wheel (complementary) always look good together.

In the example to the left, you can see the couple choose to wear muted pink and green as their main colors. These two complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel.

2. Analogous Colors: Colors next to each other on the color wheel are analogous, and also look great together. As you can see in the image to the right, the blue shirt and background greens of the portrait are next to each other on the color wheel. Since they are closely related, your eyes are drawn to the emotion of the subject.

You and your partner could wear analogous colors. Or, consider the color your background when decided what to wear.

3. Monochromatic: There are several reasons why you may want to wear the same color (or different shades and tints of the same color).

Similar to analogous colors, your eyes are drawn to the subjects face because distractions are removed.

Another bonus of monochromatic outfits is they give the illusion of height because your eye travels up and down the subject without stopping.

4. Neutrals: The most common neutrals are blacks, greys, browns, and whites. They are created when mixing two complementary colors. Other neutrals include low saturation colors (like the greens and blues shown in the picture to the right).

Wearing neutrals is a classic and timeless look. Neutrals are easy to coordinate, whether that be with your family or with your home décor when hanging up your photos. Everyone looks good in neutrals, so going with this look is always a great bet!

BONUS TIP

Group Colors: Stick to 2-4 colors that are in the same color palette. If you don't know where to start, choose a couple of outfits (ex. mother and daughter) and pull colors from their outfits for everyone else to wear. When in doubt, add in neutral clothing pieces since they will match most outfit colors. . Dress so you look like you go together without matching exactly.

Hopefully this post helps you to understand the basics of color theory and how it applies to photography. Check out my editable client guide for more inspiration when deciding what clothes will help elevate your photo session.