Color Palettes Explained for Your Photo Session Outfits
Color Palettes Explained for Your Photo Session Outfits
Depending on how you feel about fashion, planning your outfits for a photo session can either be an exciting project or a daunting task. In either case, choosing a color palette is one of the first steps to picking out a picture-perfect wardrobe. It helps to understand some of the basic color palettes and categories, as well as when each one looks best in photos.
As your trusted Mercer Island photographer, I’m happy to help. Check out these popular color palettes and when to use them.
Neutrals
Neutral colors are colors that have an undertone that isn’t warm or cool - they can look different in different lighting environments. Neutrals also pair well with nearly any other color. They include colors like:
White
Black
Beige
Tan
Off-white or cream
Gray
Brown
Generally, neutral colors can fit any season, although lighter neutrals like white and beige are typically better in spring and summer while darker neutrals like black and dark brown are better suited to fall and winter.
Jewel Tones
This is a term that not everyone is familiar with. Jewel tones, in the strictest sense, are colors you would find in gemstones. In general, though, any rich, deep color could be considered a jewel tone even if you can’t match it to a specific gem. Popular jewel tones include:
Ruby red
Sapphire blue
Emerald green
Deep purple
Amber
Jewel tones are an excellent choice for fall and winter photo sessions. They help you to stand out and they complement fall and winter landscapes well.
Earth Tones
Earth tones are colors you would find in nature, but this term can also generally refer to any muted colors that make you think of earthy landscapes. Think of colors like:
Sage green
Beige
Rust orange
Brown
Light gray
Olive green
Tan
These types of colors can fit many different seasons and looks, but they’re particularly beautiful for spring and summer photo shoots.
Cool Colors
Another color category that’s helpful to keep in mind as you’re planning your photo shoot wardrobe is cool colors. Cool colors evoke feelings of calm and relaxation, and they generally have a bluish undertone. Popular cool colors include:
Blue
Lavender
Sage green
Most grays
Pale pinks
Each person’s skin color has an undertone: either cool, warm, or neutral. If your skin has a cool undertone, you should lean toward wearing cool colors in your portraits.
Warm Colors
Just as there are cool colors, there are warm colors too. These colors have more of a yellow undertone and evoke feelings of positivity and warmth. They include colors like:
Yellow
Orange
Red
Deep pinks
Most browns and tans
If your skin has a warm undertone, warm colors like these will be your best bet for your photo shoot wardrobe.
Choosing Your Photo Shoot Wardrobe with Your Photographer’s Help
Putting together your outfit for a photo session doesn’t have to be a painful task. As a photographer, I’m happy to help my clients through my own expertise as well as a specialized tool I provide for your use. After all, I want you to look your best just as much as you do! To learn more or to start planning your session, contact Jaimié Birtel Photography.
