What to Wear to Your Pet’s Photoshoot

While most sessions spotlight your pet, what you wear still matters if you’ll be stepping into the frame. Here are some tips on what to wear to look polished, comfortable, and camera-ready.

You can’t go wrong with rich, earth tones. Choose solid colors or very simple patterns. Plum, wine, and rust (think pumpkin spice) look especially lovely with the greens found in nature.

Skip black and white (especially white).
Rich, earthy colors photograph best. Dark blue and brown are more flattering than black and white.

Layer with a jacket. You can wear it for part of the shoot and switch things up by taking it off for a different look. It’s like getting two outfits in one! Layers help you stay comfortable if the weather changes, as it often does in Colorado.

Clothing & makeup tips

• Iron your clothes if they need it (especially new ones with package creases!). Downy Wrinkle Releaser works surprisingly well if you’re in a hurry. Use a tape roller to remove pet fur and lint.
  
  
• Jeans or long pants are preferable over shorts. We often walk in tall grasses or sit on rocks. Pants protect you from scratches and look more pleasing than shorts.
  
  
• Wear clothes that fit well. Before the session, take a minute to sit down in your outfit to make sure everything stays comfortable and in place. Button-up shirts should lay flat without gaping, especially when seated or moving around.

For two or more people: Choose 2-3 colors that complement each other without being too matchy-matchy.

It’s all in the details.

• Empty your pockets! Phones, keys, and dog treats create lumps in your clothing. You can put these items in my camera bag during your photoshoot, and I’ll carry them for you.

• If you wear glasses, make sure they’re clean. Dust and fingerprints can show up in photos. Transition glasses can also be problematic, as they turn into sunglasses outside.

• Necklaces can be hard to keep straight, so keep that in mind when selecting your jewelry. If you have a necklace that needs constant adjusting or gets stuck in your hair, skip it.
  

Let children wear their favorite clothes.

Don’t stress about perfect outfits. Happy kids make better photos!

I love the texture of this girl’s sweater! Solid color with texture adds visual interest without being distracting.

Consider your pet’s fur color.

Brown fur: Blues, grays, and earth tones look great.

White fur: Skip white. It’s tough to match and can look off in photos. Try colors with like red, coral, or deep jewel tones.

Reddish fur: Blues, greens, and earth tones work beautifully.

Black or white fur: Bright colors, especially red, really pop. Black dogs look best with lighter or mid-tone colors so they don’t blend in.

Dress for the season. You’ll probably want to wear a winter coat in January, spring colors in April, and earth-toned sweaters in the fall.

Layers always look good, no matter the weather.

For women: Layer with scarves, jackets, or cardigans. Dresses look amazing but skip the heels since we’ll most likely be walking on mountain trails.

For men: Collared shirts look better. Throw a flannel or button-up over a tee to elevate your look.

Aim for slightly dressy. (I know, Colorado is casual – but trust me, you’ll look better.)
Skip gym clothes, thin t-shirts, and sleeveless tops. Choose clothes that drape nicely – neither too tight nor too loose.

Be Yourself!

Don’t wear an outfit you saw on Pinterest if your friends won’t recognize you. Be proud of your own personal style!

Remember that your shoes might end up in the picture, so make sure they are shoes you want in a photo. I’m a huge fan of cowboy boots! Read my blog post about boots and how much I love them for photoshoots.

How about a ballgown?

There’s no rule that says you can’t wear something out of the ordinary!

Formal – or casual – dresses look amazing!

What should your pet wear?

Consider your pet’s “outfit” and choose a clean, flat collar for portraits. This is the time to break out the fancy collars! We can switch them out during the session for an easy wardrobe change. Your pet can also go without a collar if we are inside your home.

You may want to remove the tags so they aren’t distracting in the photos. A shiny rabies tag is probably not the look you‘re going for!

Bow ties and bandanas are adorable!

Etsy is an excellent source for bow ties and felt flowers that velcro to collars. I’ve found that three inches across is the perfect width for my cat’s bowties.

Head to my contact page when you’re ready to chat about scheduling your pet’s photos. Yes, I’ll help you select your wardrobe if you need advice!

About Karen Hoglund Photography