The One Thing You Should Avoid Wearing to Your Photoshoot

One of the questions I get asked the most is, "What should I wear for my photoshoot?". Among the rules and guidelines for what not to wear for a photoshoot, there is one that jumps out the most - baggy shirts. The majority of women and girls I talk to say they are self conscious about their tummy or hate that they have a "little extra" in their mid-section. Girl, you know I'm one of those women too. I hate the little pooch that hangs out right under my belly button - you know, that ugly bit of fat on your lower belly that won't go away? Mine just pulled out a lounge chair, poured itself a margarita, and got comfortable on my tummy. And no matter how many salads I eat or the number of swear words directed at my pooch, it just won't go away. Needless to say, I understand the desire to wear baggy shirts. 

Get Ready for Some Real Talk.

Can I tell you a secret? I used to be a hypocrite. One of the golden rules for professional photos is to avoid wearing loose shirts because it makes you look like a large square with no body shape. I would tell my clients to wear form-fitting shirts when I was doing the opposite. I would strictly wear loose shirts to hide my pooch, especially when I got my photo taken. Well, recently I had been coming to the realization that maybe I should follow my own advice, and this realization came to a tipping point after my last headshot session. I had brought a few different outfits, one was a fitted tank top and the others were looser shirts. After the shoot, as I was flipping through the photos, I noticed that I looked heavier in the loose shirts and skinnier in the fitted top! On top of that, I hardly noticed my dear, margarita-sipping pooch. I looked way skinnier in the photos with the fitted top because it showed my body shape! 

Take a look at these side by side unedited photos of me from the headshot session. Which girl looks skinnier? Do you believe me now?

Outfits to avoid for your photo shoot

Same girl, same day, same jeans, different top. 

Now some of you might argue that the difference in pose is making a difference, and you're right to a certain extent. So below are some more examples of different poses to prove my point. 

Avoid baggy shirts for your professional photos

Outfit ideas for your photo shoot

Did you know that this rule applies to women no matter their weight, shape, or size. Even if you're 100lbs overweight, you'll still look skinnier in camera if you wear a form-fitting, structured shirt or jacket rather than a baggy top. Try it! Also notice how I mentioned structure? Structured tops and jackets like a jean jacket, blazer, or leather jacket will help you look even slimmer on camera. 

If you'd like to read more on outfit ideas for your professional photos, check out these other great blog posts!
5 Tips to Create Outfits that Rock
​Outfit Inspiration to Make your Friends Jealous of your Professional Photos

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We are a Denver Luxury Portrait Photography studio who specializes in high-end Denver Family and High School Senior photo experiences.

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Sarah Lindsay Photography is a nationally recognized portrait studio and Sarah's work has been featured on the cover of and inside spreads of Shutter Scene Magazine. Sarah's work has also been featured on major photography websites such as ShootDotEdit and Miller's Professional Imaging and has been nominated for the City of Northglenn People's Choice - Business of the Year.

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