Men's Style Guide for Portrait Sessions
The Men's Style Guide: What to Wear for Your Portrait Session
Men's portrait styling is about fit, fabric, and intention. Here's how to build a wardrobe that photographs as well as you look.
The Foundation: Fit First
The single most important rule: clothes must fit. A $30 shirt that fits perfectly photographs better than a $300 shirt that doesn't. Pay attention to shoulder seams (they should hit exactly at the shoulder edge), sleeve length (wrist bone), and collar (one finger of space).
Building Your Looks
Look 1: The Professional. A well-fitted blazer or sport coat, solid dress shirt, and trousers. This is your boardroom look — confident, capable, authoritative.
Look 2: The Smart Casual. Lose the jacket, roll the sleeves, unbutton the collar. This communicates "approachable expert" — perfect for LinkedIn, website bios, and speaking engagements.
Look 3: The Personal. A quality knit, a leather jacket, or a well-fitted t-shirt under an open shirt. This is the version of you that exists outside of work — the one people connect with.
Color Palette
Navy, charcoal, olive, burgundy, cream, and muted blues form a versatile base. These colors are universally flattering and photograph with depth and richness. Avoid bright white shirts (go cream or light blue instead), large logos, and busy patterns.
Grooming Notes
- Haircut: 3-5 days before the session
- Facial hair: trimmed and shaped the morning of, or clean-shaven
- Hands: nails clean and trimmed (hands appear in portraits more than you'd expect)
- Face: moisturize the night before and morning of
What to Bring
- All three looks on hangers (not folded in a bag)
- A lint roller
- Your glasses (even if you mostly wear contacts — we'll shoot a few frames with them)
- Any personal items that tell your story (watch, ring, favorite jacket)