Style Guide
By Anna Stoehr Photography
What to wear for your photo session?
I’m so excited to help you create timeless, joyful images that you’ll cherish for years to come! Whether it’s a couples, engagement, family, maternity, or senior session, this style guide will help you look and feel amazing while capturing genuine, natural moments together.
The Magic of Natural Light
One of the most beautiful parts of your session is the light we’ll be shooting in. I love photographing in wide, open natural spaces - fields, woods, parks, scenic overlooks, or cozy downtown streets, especially during golden hour, that dreamy time just before sunset when the light is soft, glowing, and romantic. Natural light adds warmth, depth, and genuine emotion to your photos. The outfits you choose play an important role in how that light reflects and interacts with your surroundings. The camera loves soft, natural tones, they allow the light to wrap around you gently and create that luminous, airy feel in your photos.
Spring & Summer: soft pastels, light neutrals, or muted earth tones. Fall: warm shades like rust, olive, tan, or cream. Winter: cozy neutrals, rich browns, or layered tones with texture.
Avoid neon or overly bright colors, as they can reflect unnatural hues on your skin and draw attention away from your connection. Instead, choose colors that feel calm, timeless, and true to you. The most important thing? Wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it shows in every photo.
Outfit Tips for Women
Flowing dresses or skirts add beautiful movement to your photos. Choose cuts that feel comfortable and allow you to move naturally. Accessories like hats, bows, or simple layered jewelry can elevate your look. You can wear any jewelry, it always photographs beautifully, but try not to overdo it. A few subtle, coordinating pieces are perfect. Fabrics with texture - lace, linen, chiffon, or tulle - always photograph beautifully. Try on your outfit beforehand to ensure it fits well and feels great.
Iron or steam clothes for a clean, polished look, and remove any visible tags or stickers. Remove all hair ties from your wrists before the session. Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking, moving, and having fun, and comfort makes a big difference in how relaxed and confident you feel.
Outfit Tips for Men
Fitted dress pants or dark denim look great on camera. Muted tone shirts, henleys, button-ups, or lightweight sweaters photograph really well. Brown leather shoes or boots pair beautifully with most outfits. Add layers like a vest or jacket for depth and polish. Double check your outfit in advance, iron your shirt and make sure your shoes are comfortable. Remove everything from your pockets - phones, wallets, keys, or anything that could show through clothing. If you’d like, I can carry your car keys in my camera bag during the session so you don’t have to worry about them.
Patterns & Prints
Keep patterns minimal and timeless. Avoid logos, large graphics, or bold lettering. If you’d like to include patterns, opt for small florals, subtle stripes, or classic checks. Textures like linen, lace, seersucker, or denim add soft visual interest without distraction.
Below are 4 beautiful color palette groups that photograph perfectly.
I recommend using a maximum of 3 colors from one group to keep your outfits coordinated and elegant. For example, my personal favorite is Group 2, where you can combine brown, white, and creme - these colors always look classic, warm, and natural on camera.
The Most Important Part
At the end of the day, the most important thing is you and your connection. The location, lighting, and outfits all come together beautifully when you simply relax and enjoy each other, laugh, hold hands, and have fun. I’ll take care of the rest.