How to Choose Clothing Colors That Photograph Well

Look at the dominant colors in the location before choosing an outfit. Cream walls, dark furniture, greenery and colorful city backgrounds all create different levels of contrast.

An outfit usually becomes easier to see when it does not completely blend into the background.

White, cream, black, beige, grey and navy are popular in photography because they are easy to combine and generally do not compete with the environment.

Texture can keep neutral outfits interesting. Denim, knitwear, cotton, linen and structured fabrics reflect light differently even when their colors are simple.

Muted green, burgundy, dusty blue and soft brown often photograph more predictably than extremely saturated shades.

Strong colors can still work beautifully, but they may reflect color onto nearby skin or walls when the lighting is intense.

Dark clothing against a dark room can lose shape, while very light clothing against a bright window can lose detail.

A little contrast between outfit and location helps preserve the silhouette and makes the photograph easier to read.

Phone cameras automatically adjust white balance, brightness and contrast. This means an outfit may appear warmer, cooler or brighter in the photograph than it looked in person.

Take a quick test photo before committing to a full set. A small change in position or lighting may fix the color more effectively than changing the outfit.