Portrait Session Style Guide

These sessions are designed to create considered, lasting portraits. Clothing plays a big part in the final images, so a little thought upfront goes a long way.

General Principles

  • Choose timeless, thoughtful, and coordinated outfits.

  • Neutral and classic tones help keep the focus on the people.

  • Layers, textures, and subtle accessories add depth and interest.

  • Comfort matters, you want to feel natural and yourself.

  • Cohesion matters – for families or groups, aim for similar tones, textures, and levels of formality across participants. Everyone can express their own style, but a harmonious palette and feel creates portraits that read as intentional and balanced.

For Men

Great options include:

  • Chinos or dark denim

  • A crisp white or light-coloured button-down shirt

  • A sports coat, blazer, or suit jacket

  • Optional tie or subtle accessories

  • Clean, classic shoes

These pieces photograph well and create a polished, timeless look.

For Women

Consider outfits that are elegant and structured:

  • Blouse with a stylish jacket or blazer

  • Pant suit or skirt with a coordinating jacket

  • Dresses with clean lines and soft textures

  • Simple, elegant accessories

  • Footwear that is comfortable and polished, including heels if you like

These choices help create portraits that feel refined and lasting.

For Children

Children look wonderful in smart-casual outfits that let their personality shine:

  • Chinos, dark denim, long sleeve buttoned shirts, skirts, dresses,

  • Sweaters, cardigans, or light jackets layered over shirts, again no logos.

  • Comfortable clean shoes, for example, simple leather or canvas shoes; these photograph beautifully and complement the session’s timeless feel.

Encouraging children to understand that this is a special session helps them participate fully and naturally. Outfits across the family should feel harmonious to create balance in the images.

The Goal

These sessions are art-focused. Clothing should support the portrait, complementing the composition and atmosphere rather than competing with it. The aim is to create portraits that feel considered, timeless, and built to live in your home or personal collection.

Want to book a session or to know more, please fill in the contact form below.

Get in touch.

If you’d like to discuss a portrait session, ask a question, or simply explore what might work for your family or personal project, you can reach me here. I’ll read every message carefully and respond as soon as I can. These sessions are intentional and designed to last, so it’s worth taking a moment to start the conversation properly.