How to Decide Your Outfit for a Photo Shoot

Whenever preparing for a horse and rider portrait session, it is important to wear things that you are comfortable in and what will be easy to handle a horse with. Some other things to keep in mind are weather, your personal features and style, and your horse's color.

The main goal of clothing in a photo shoot is that you don't want your clothing to distract from your face.

Depending on the package, if multiple outfits are offered, I would highly encourage it. Riders have worn everything from a dress or sweater and jeans to show clothes. Here are a few additional tips to consider:

• Dark clothing tends to slenderize. It helps distract attention from the clothing and make the face the center of the photograph.

• Tone down bright colors. Bright colors can distract from the face. Pale colors or pastels tend to work well, especially when paired with blue jeans or khaki pants.

• Light clothing can look bright and fresh. White blouses or shirts are great for looking light and fresh. For more of a slimming effect, pair the white shirt with a darker jacket or sweater.

• Keep prints simple. Portraits tend to look better in solid colors. If you'd like to wear prints, keep them simple and low key.

• Don't over accessorize. Overbearing or heavily noticeable accessories can be a major distraction. Simple and minimal accessories tend to work better. One example is the combination of a white shirt, blue jeans, and a red tartan scarf.

• Hair and Make Up. I highly recommend getting your hair and makeup professionally done. I find that this will make a huge difference in how you look and feel. This is definitely not a requirement though. Hair styles should be kept simple and away from your face.

• Shoes. Safety is key when dealing with horses. For this reason, I recommend wearing clothes toed shoes. High heels and wedges are discouraged, especially if we will be walking in grass and dirt.