Here is the ultimate guide for what to wear for a Paris photoshoot, with everything you need to know about building a photoshoot outfit!
As a professional photographer, one of the biggest questions our studio gets is “What should I wear for my Paris photo session?”
This is especially true for family photos. Dressing multiple people can be SO stressful if you don’t have guidance. And look, we are not fashion photographers nor are we in the fashion industry….We photograph real people and real families and truly we want you to feel like YOU, and not someone else. Often that starts with how you’re dressed.
OuR Philosophy on photoshoot outfits:
After a lot of research, we are always happy to give guidance as well as easy pro tips that come from guiding family, solo, and couple clients. We do this for hundreds of photo sessions every year for every TIME of year (winter, spring, summer, and fall have different recommendations! Check out below).
These tips are a great start for in studio portrait sessions and outdoor professional photos in Paris.
Our north star is always that we want you to look and feel like YOU on your best day. This means feeling and looking good in your outfits.
We really do try and stay in every clients comfort zone but a photo session really is a good reason to break out a nicer outfit.
Why? Well, let’s visualize for a moment. In 20 years, you have your beautiful portraits hanging in your home and in an album and you’ve seen them every day for a long time. Do you really see yourself in sweatpants? Probably not. Maybe a suit just isn’t you, and that’s totally ok!! But we can always find a middle ground of “casual, yet put together” to make you feel more comfortable.
With that theme in mind let’s start this off!
Want to book a photo session with us? Get in touch here!
Photos above from a recent engagement photo session in Paris with Eva Amurri of Happily Eva After, see her blog post here!
define Your vision: Paris photoshoot outfit ideas:
The big day is approaching and you’re getting ready, shopping, looking in your closets… Where do you even start?
This is totally a personal thing and only YOU can decide on what feels more “you” especially when you’re in front of the camera.
Do you prefer a more casual tone? Is this a celebration you’d like to go towards “gala style”? What feels appropriate to your family vibe and energy level?
Again there’s no wrong answer! Whatever you decide is what’s best.
Another way to think about this is through how color can define a feeling.
So for example, if you’re wearing dark colors, it tends to draw the attention to your faces. This is especially true in the studio. If you wanted to go for a simple studio look, a solid dark/black top and dark blue jeans would be a casual way of doing this. A dark suit and gala dress would be a more formal way of doing this.
Again, there’s no perfect outfit across the board for everyone, there’s perfect for YOU and your family’s personal style.
photoshoot outfit inspiration
A common question we so often have is where do I LOOK for outfit inspiration for my Paris photo shoot?
One of my favorite places to search when I’m looking up outfit inspiration is on Pinterest.
Maybe this seems obvious but it’s a visual search engine and can be so helpful to spark inspiration or help you define the overall feel and then look into your closets to find your outfit happiness. We have a Pinterest board dedicated to this so feel free to hop over there to see it!
What to search on Pinterest/Internet:
“What to wear for a family photo shoot”
“Outfit inspiration for family photos”
“Group outfit inspiration”
“Fancy group outfit inspiration”
“Kids outfit inspiration for casual photo session”
The list goes on, but you can use these search phrases and tweak them to your liking and get your outfit ideas flowing.
Social Media/Instagram: Photoshoot Outfit Inspiration
Another place to look is through social media.
(I know I know..) But through tagging you can sometimes find some great inspiration from family portrait sessions!
I’d look through Instagram for tags like: #familyphotography or #summerfamilyphotos or #FamilyOutfitInspiration.
These are some easy keywords that could spark a good idea that turns into your outfits!
the easiest place to find photoshoot outfits:
Another places to search is through your closet!
What’s your favorite outfit? Or your partner’s/kid’s favorite outfit?
Can we build a look around that?
Sure, having a family photo shoot in Paris is a reason to go shopping but you can also go “shopping” in your own closet. Sometimes you need an occasion to wear a certain outfit and this might be the one!
Formal VS Put-Together photoshoot outfits: What’s the difference?
I really like an easy “casual yet put together” outfit for outside and a more formal outfit for in studio photo sessions.
This tends to be the most timeless. A safe bet is anything that’s super “in fashion” doesn’t always stay timeless. Stay away from super trendy outfits as these go in and out of style so quickly.
The spectrum of photoshoot outfit styles:
Here are some recommendations of outfits ranging from casual to black-tie – and everything in between!
- 1. Casual – Unripped jeans, clean sneakers, ironed solid coloured t-shirt, natural light makeup
- 2. Semi-casual – This tends to be an “everyday look”: Pressed blue jeans (no holes)/chinos/slacks, pressed button down shirt or solid-coloured t-shirt, nice shoes (no sneakers), blazer, scarf, flow-y dress, flats/a wedge heel/boots, natural hair and makeup (could be by a professional or done on your own)
- 3. Formal: Navy suit, button down shirt, dress shoes, knee length dress, tights, flats or heels, natural hair and makeup (could be by a professional makeup artist or done on your own)
- 4. Black-tie: Tuxedo, Dress shoes, Floor-length gown, heels, professional hair and makeup needed, professional nails done.
Photoshoot Outfits to avoid:
- Lounge-wear and “Athleisure” – Leggings, sports clothes, joggers, sweat pants, anything with big logos
- VERY Casual – Ripped jeans, t-shirts with writing/ graphic tees
Portraits above from our Author Photo Shoot for NYT Bestselling author, Anna Klootsrecent book release “My Own Magic”
our favorite Paris Hair and Makeup Artists for photoshoots:
Trine Jule (Hair & Makeup) – As an aside, I really like the makeup tips that she posts on social media!
How to build an outfit for a Paris photoshoot:
Take the “feel” that you’re going for and then look in your closet.
Is there an outfit or an accessory (could be a favorite gorgeous pair of shoes even!!) that you LOVE and would like to wear?
If not, find a great outfit online or in a store that feels and looks good. Perfect, now you build your outfit around that. You could wear clothes that are only from your closet, or a lot of people take this as an opportunity to look for a new outfit. The good news is that you have a starting point.
Next, start with one outfit and look at the colors, now go from there. Say for example the colors are white, mustard yellows, and browns. Now we know that we can either match this color scheme with these same warm earth tones, or we can add in pops of complimentary colors (like a blue, kind of like earth and sky).
What to avoid: Photoshoot Outfit Advice
If you’re thinking more along the line of all blacks for a formal portrait, that’s totally fine to all be in the same color but ONLY if it’s black. Otherwise, it can look too matchy-matchy.
Avoid ALL white or ALL blue.
Instead incorporate other colors or shades into it. So whites, grays, and a pop of pink for example. Or blues and creams.
Colors that look good together in photoshoot outfits:
Now’s the time to choose your color palette if you’re not basing it on an existing dress or photoshoot outfit you’ve chosen. Within this, you can have bright colors, neutral colors, lighter colors and they all look good.
Just watch out if you have ALL bright colors because sometimes that’s what you’ll see FIRST. If you use pops of color and then tone it down with creams, and other shades it helps to keep interest without everyone wearing something bright.
I’m going to say it 20 times but it’s because it’s important, at the end of the day we want the final image to make you FEEL and to see your emotions and connection first, not only your clothing choices.
best color combos for a photoshoot outfit:
Blue and yellow
Blue and red
Cream and terra cotta/brown
Pinks and blues
Pastel greens and light yellows
Orange and yellow
Solid colors vs patterns in Photoshoot outfits
We love a good pattern but it can sometimes be distracting or unflattering.
Our general guidelines is that busy patterns or would go in the “no go” basket.
Try and only have ONE person in a pattern and everyone else tending towards solids. If everyone in the photo is wearing striped shirts or the same bold patterns you look more like a team and not like a family.
Remember, the first thing we’ll see won’t be the emotions of the portraits, it’ll be your photoshoot outfits!! Remember that your photoshoot outfits enhance the portrait, it’s not what the portrait is about. These portraits are a celebration of the joy and tenderness of this moment of your life.
How to piece multiple photoshoot outfits together
For groups or families this is where it can become seemingly a little complex but truly it’s quite simple. My best advice and a great way is to start around that ONE favorite outfit.
Take the colors that you see in there and build around it using a similar style. The most important thing is that this is cohesive BUT everyone doesn’t look like twins.
Everyone’s photoshoot outfit is a little different from the others. And everyone (especially teens!), has their own personal style. I know sometimes you can have a hard time building photoshoot outfits out but it really helps to let everyone choose their own by following the style and color guidelines.
Then lay down any rules – no graphic tees (plain white shirts are fine), no sweatpants etc. This way when you come into our studio for your viewing session and to see the final results, everyone is going to like them!!
Accessories for Photoshoot outfits
- We LOVE leather jackets – especially for a spring family photo session or a spring engagement session
- Hats, especially on babies and little girls look SO cute. If you want to have a beret, it’s very in style right now in Paris!
- Sunglasses and headbands with a pop of color can be the perfect opportunity to give it a little something more
- Jewellery – don’t wear your whole jewelry box but jewelry does tend to be a lovely icing on the cake and can bring a very basic and casual photoshoot outfit to the next level.
Shoes:
- For little girls we love boots, flats, and mary janes. Sandals are really cute in the summer!
- Avoid dirty sports sneakers for kids and adults
- Avoid any hiking shoes
- PLEASE make sure any shoe choices are clean! Our pro trick is to clean white sneakers with baby wipes (any brand works, just not water wipes, they don’t work well for some reason)
How your clothes Fit:
How your clothes fit you and fall on your body is really important and can bring a simple Paris photoshoot outfit to the next level simply because it just looks so flattering.
This is the same for children.
A general rule for kids is to have the clothes at their size and NOT a size up. When I’m buying an outfit for my kids, I always size up because they grow. so. FAST. But really, you want the shoes and the outfit to fit them perfectly so they’re COMFORTABLE. It’s super important.
Annoying clothes will make kids really grumpy really fast. The best choice is to have them try on the photoshoot outfits before to make sure they like them too and there are no itchy tags or anything!
Photoshoot outfit ideas for Kids
The golden themes for dressing children for a family photo shoot in Paris: Comfort, style, Movement.
If your kid isn’t comfortable in their clothes, if they’re itchy or too big or too small, THEY WILL THINK ABOUT IT THE WHOLE SESSION. Seriously, I cannot stress this enough: Small kids don’t cope.
I love photoshoot outfit ideas that are simple, but cotton based. You know they won’t itch them! If there’s a little tulle, make sure that it doesn’t touch their skin and it’s lined underneath with a non-itchy layer.
Kid Style: What to wear for a Paris photoshoot
You absolutely want your kids to be a little stylish. I mean, IT’S PARIS. But this can be done so easily and within every budget. H+M has great kids finds that are really affordable. I love love LOVE Zara kids too.
Movement: Paris Photoshoot Outfits for Kids
If you’re wondering what your kids should wear to the Paris photoshoot, just remember that Kids MOVE! And during our photo sessions we are always playing and running around, we jump, we twirl, we are doing ALL THE THINGS!
Their photoshoot outfits need to be conducive to being a kid.
One tip I have that’s come out of many photoshoots with my very particular and headstrong 3 year old daughter, is to have an approved-by-her backup outfit. You just never know if the morning of they will absolutely REFUSE to put on whatever you want them to wear.
As my friend Rebecca from Everyday Parisian always says: “you need to have a plan B!!”
Layering: Paris Photoshoot outfits for Kids
Lastly let’s talk about layering. Kids get cold and hot SO easily and it can cause serious meltdowns.
Please please please in the winter LAYER your kids outfits.
Put on TWO pairs of tights, a long sleeve shirt UNDER their dress, a thin sweater AND a coat… it’s so important to have kids comfortable.
When they’re miserable because they’re cold, it’s very, very stressful for parents.
Babies: What to wear for a photoshoot
- Fit
- Extra outfit
- Layer them
fit: Paris Photoshoot outfits for babies
Please make sure your baby’s clothing is tight enough and fits them properly, loose big clothing can look really bad in family photos and it also can often crumple up or block their face when you’re holding them.
extra outfit: Paris Photoshoot Outfits for Babies
I think maybe this is obvious but have a backup plan. Babies spit up, get cold, have massive blowouts… it’s good to have a plan B.
layering: Paris Photoshoot Outfits for Babies
I really cannot say this enough. LAYER LAYER LAYER YOUR BABIES.
Especially in the winter. But even in the summer, babies are so susceptible to getting a chill. My best advice is to layer 1-2 onesies below their photoshoot outfits to keep them warm. Remember you can always take them off!
Seasonal Considerations for Paris photoshoot outfits
What to wear for a WINTER photo shoot in Paris:
1. Layer:
- Winter can be really nice and easy and calm and it can also be incredibly windy and bitting cold. LAYER YOUR PHOTOSHOOT OUTFIT. Wear tights under your pants, wear two pairs of tights under your dresses! Wearing a thin invisible layer under your Paris photoshoot outfit is a game changer. We absolutely LOVE Uniqlo for this. I bought a liner to wear under my coat this year and it’s been incredibly helpful. You can’t even see it with my jacket closed and it doesn’t add ANY bulk. This is actually one of the Parisian Style secrets. Parisians don’t wear those big puffy jackets unless they’re out skiing in the Alps. They wear a nice wool jacket and then a thin heat liner underneath for extra cold days.
2. HanDwarmers
- We LOVE having hand warmers in pockets. They’re invisible heat and especially help with keeping kids warm during your Paris photoshoot!!
3. Thin Scarf
- Have a thin warm scarf with you. It looks super stylish, can wrap you up to keep you warm, but doesn’t add “bulk” to your photoshoot outfit. A really big scarf can look cute for a candid social media pic but it really does add a lot of bulk, it’s more flattering to have a thin but warm scarf. I find cashmere blends to be the warmest and softest.
4. Remove pilled fabric
- So you know those little balls that get on your sweaters and coats after a while of wearing them and washing them? They kind of make them look “old”. Well, you can remove those really easily and make your winter clothes look brand new!!! I got this little “sweater electric razor” on amazon and I honestly haven’t looked back. It was so inexpensive and has made all of our jackets and sweaters that we’ve worn for YEARS look brand new.
What to Wear for A Spring Photoshoot in Paris:
- LAYER: Haha, is this a theme now? Honestly, the beginning of spring can be VASTLY different from the end of spring in Paris SO if you’re coming for a spring engagement photos or a spring family photo session in Paris, you absolutely need to think about bringing layers. Bringing a light jacket and sweater on the day of your Paris photoshoot when the weather can turn so quickly is really helpful. It enables you to quickly adapt and always keep comfortable. It also feels like an “outfit change” when you aren’t really changing a whole photoshoot outfit, just adding and subtracting layers.
- Umbrella – Spring in Paris can be SO rainy so it’s really helpful to have an umbrella. We of course bring some to all of our Paris photoshoots but if you’re a big group we may not have enough.
What to Wear for A Summer Photoshoot in Paris:
- Summer is HOT I’d recommend light flowey dresses, nice dress shorts, pressed shirts (short sleeve), and sandals (for women) or clean white trainers (for men – sorry guys, don’t love seeing your toes).
- Bring a water bottle and a water mister (like this one)
- Tissues (to wipe sweat if it’s really hot!!)
- For cooler mornings I really like light small sweaters or a jean jacket
- Sandels for women and kids, for guys loafers, clean dress sneakers (no newbalance please), boat shoes are all good options!
What to Wear for A Fall Autumn Photo Session in Paris:
- Layers! (Last time, I promise) – Beginning of fall can be SO warm and the end can be really really cold and wintery. Sometimes you have all of this in a day. A flannel shirt can be really cute too as a “jacket” though I’d recommend choosing one that has just one color and isn’t plaid.
- Dark clothing with pops of color in your Paris photoshoot outfit can look really nice. I’d always recommend warmer colors as the background and light tends to be a little cooler.
my Favorite photoshoot outfit Brands:
Sézane (Everyday Parisian has an amazing sizing guide for this brand if you’re ordering online!)
Simple Finds:
Extended Sizing:
Rent your Photoshoot Outfit for your Paris trip!
Rent the runway is a great hack for this. You can ask them for an international shipping label to send back your photoshoot outfit from here if you’re coming from the US.
Prepping for your Paris Photo Session:
- Ironing/Steaming (Pro tip: leave the steam on in the shower, if using a new iron at a hotel try a small piece of outfit on the INSIDE of the clothing first just in case it’s dirty or ruins the clothing)
- Clean shoes (Magic eraser OR baby wipes – not water wipes)
- Put out photoshoot outfits night before to un-wrinkle overnight!
- Prep kids on what they’re going to wear for the Paris photoshoot especially if they are not easy going/particular about clothing and feel of the clothes
Fast rules for what to wear for your Paris Photo Session:
what to avoid:
- Anything with writing/words on it
- Anything with big brand names
- Oversized clothing
- Bulky clothing and puffy jackets (especially in winter!! Opt for layers instead)
Extras to Pack: Paris photoshoot outfit Ideas
Seasonal essentials for Paris photoshoot:
- Handwarmers
- Umbrella
- Sunscreen (I love the supergoop glow screen that doubles as a primer for your face and the Avene or La Roche Posay sunscreens for the whole family!)
All Year essentials for Paris photoshoot:
- Tissues!!
Looking for more specifics? We did a joint blog post all about what to wear in Paris with great recommendations on what exactly to purchase with Paris Travel Guru Rebecca Plotnick on Everyday Parisian.
Check it out HERE.
Ready to book your Paris photoshoot?
Click HERE to book your Paris photoshoot with us at Katie Donnelly Photography!
We cannot wait to work with you and bring your dream portrait session to life in the most gorgeous city in the world! And we’re always a resource. tohelp you decide what to wear for your Paris photoshoot! We seriously LOVE coming up with photoshoot outfits ideas!
