If you have ever stood in front of your closet the night before your session thinking “I have nothing to wear” — this blog post is for you. Choosing what to wear to your photo session is honestly one of the most important decisions you will make in your entire session prep process. The right colors can make your skin glow, complement your surroundings, and tie your entire gallery together beautifully. The wrong ones can do the exact opposite. I have put together my five favorite go-to color palettes that photograph absolutely beautifully every single time — so you can stop stressing and start getting excited.

The Colors: Rust | Terracotta | Camel | Olive Green | Burnt Orange | Warm Brown

The Vibe: Grounded, warm, timeless, and incredibly flattering on almost every skin tone. This palette was practically made for golden hour sessions. The warm tones in these colors pull out the warmth in the light and create an incredibly cohesive, rich gallery.

This palette is perfect for:

• Golden hour outdoor sessions
• Fall couples or senior sessions
• Desert sessions in Phoenix, AZ
• Anyone who loves a warm, cozy aesthetic

Pro Styling Tip: Layer different textures within this palette — a chunky knit sweater, a flowy linen dress, a structured camel coat. Mixing textures keeps the look interesting without introducing clashing colors.

This is hands down one of my most recommended palettes for Phoenix desert sessions — the warm tones against the desert landscape is absolutely chef’s kiss.

The Colors: Blush Pink | Cream | Soft Lavender | Dusty Rose | Ivory | Soft Mauve

The Vibe: Dreamy, feminine, soft, and absolutely timeless. This palette photographs with the most beautiful light and airy quality — perfect if you love a soft, romantic aesthetic in your gallery. These colors feel effortlessly elegant without trying too hard.

This palette is perfect for:

• Spring sessions among wildflowers and blooms
• Romantic couples sessions
• Senior portraits with a soft, feminine aesthetic
• Anyone who loves a light and airy editing style

Pro Styling Tip: Pair a blush flowy dress with ivory or cream accessories to keep the palette cohesive. Avoid going too matchy-matchy — varying the shades within the palette keeps it looking intentional and styled.

This palette looks absolutely stunning in the green fields and blooming landscapes of Oxford, OH in the spring.

The Colors: White | Cream | Beige | Tan | Soft Grey | Champagne

The Vibe: Clean, classic, polished, and completely timeless. Neutral palettes never go out of style — and more importantly, they never distract from what actually matters in your photos: YOU. This palette lets your personality, your expressions, and your connection with your person take center stage.

This palette is perfect for:

• Anyone who wants a clean, editorial look
• Couples who want a cohesive, polished gallery
• Senior portraits that feel timeless and classic
• Beach or desert sessions where the surroundings are already visually rich

Pro Styling Tip: The key to making neutrals work is texture. A cream linen dress, a white oversized button down, a tan leather jacket — mixing fabrics and textures keeps a neutral palette from feeling flat or boring.

The Colors: Burgundy | Deep Navy | Forest Green | Plum | Chocolate Brown | Hunter Green

The Vibe: Bold, dramatic, rich, and editorial. This palette is for the couple or senior who wants something a little more unexpected and striking. Deep jewel tones photograph with incredible depth and create a moody, magazine-worthy aesthetic that is truly stunning.

This palette is perfect for:

• Fall and winter sessions
• Wooded or forested locations
• Anyone who loves a bold, dramatic aesthetic
• Couples who want a more editorial gallery

Pro Styling Tip: Ground the look with one deep anchor color and build around it. For example — a deep burgundy dress paired with chocolate brown boots and a forest green jacket. Keep accessories minimal so the colors speak for themselves.

This palette absolutely sings during fall sessions in Oxford, OH when the leaves are turning — the deep tones against fall foliage is pure magic.

The Colors: Bright White | Soft Yellow | Sky Blue | Coral | Light Denim | Sage Green

The Vibe: Fresh, bright, summery, and full of life. This palette is happy, effortless, and perfect for warm weather sessions. The light, bright tones reflect the summer sun beautifully and create a fresh, vibrant gallery that feels like a perfect summer day captured forever.

This palette is perfect for:

• Summer sessions in Phoenix, AZ
• Outdoor sessions in bright natural light
• Anyone who loves a fresh, vibrant aesthetic
• Senior sessions with a fun, youthful energy

Pro Styling Tip: Soft yellow and sky blue are an incredibly underrated color combination for photos. They complement each other beautifully without competing and look absolutely stunning against both desert and green outdoor backdrops.

Not all colors are created equal when it comes to photography. Here are a few to think twice about:

• Neon & overly bright colors — They can cast unflattering color on your skin in certain lighting
• Busy patterns & logos — They draw the eye away from your face and can feel visually chaotic
• Solid black in outdoor sessions — It can absorb light and lose detail, especially in bright sun
• Overly matching outfits for couples — Coordinated is always better than matchy-matchy

• Always try your outfit on in natural light before your session day
• Move around in it — sit, walk, spin — make sure it moves well and feels comfortable
• When in doubt, go with what makes you feel most like yourself
• Send your photographer a photo of your outfit beforehand for a second opinion

Still Not Sure What to Wear? I’ve Got You.

Outfit selection is something I help every single one of my clients with — it is part of the experience! Once you book your session I will send you my full client prep guide with even more styling tips, location suggestions, and everything you need to feel completely ready and excited for your session.

Currently booking portrait and couples sessions in Oxford, OH and Phoenix, AZ — I would love to work with you!