Advice: Outfit Tips For a Wedding Photographer

Outfits To Wear As A Wedding Photographer

It might seem strange to think about what outfit you’re going to wear to a wedding where you’re the photographer. You won’t be in the photos, so why do you need to worry about your outfit?

It turns out that you should worry. In fact, what you wear to take photos is almost as important as what those in the photos are wearing!

You might not feature in the photos, but you will be seen on the day. What you wear can make a huge statement about your professionalism. It can also impact the overall tone of the day for the couple and the guests.

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Need a little help? With these wedding photographer outfit tips, you’ll be able to pick the perfect outfit for every wedding you photograph.

The Outfit Tips

Don’t Stand Out From The Guests

You’re not a guest at the wedding, but you don’t want to stand out too much in terms of the tone of your clothing. Try to match the dress code as closely as possible without making your outfit too bold or flashy.

The best option is to go for a smart outfit [+ this top] that’s simple and plain. You don’t want to compete with the guests for flair, and you certainly don’t want to compete with the couple and the bridal party. That’s not to say that you can’t have some fun and show your personal style; just don’t do it at the expense of the people there to celebrate.

Keep Your Look Professional

On the topic of matching the dress code, you also want to consider not going too casual, even if the wedding is a laid-back affair. Remember, you’re a professional hired to do a job.

If the wedding is on the beach and everyone is in board shorts and swimming costumes, you should make sure you still look professional. A summer dress, a decent coverup, or nice shorts and a shirt will allow you to fit in with the theme without looking like you’re ready for a party.

Invest In Practical But Smart Shoes

A wedding photographer is on their feet all day, from the snaps of the couple getting ready in the morning, through the ceremony, and often into the night as the reception plays out. Practical, sensible, and comfortable are the three words you want to apply to your shoes for the days you’re shooting.

Another element of practicality you should consider is how your shoes will go with your different outfit options. Your shoes should also look smart enough to fit in at a formal, black-tie affair.

This is probably one element of your wardrobe that you’ll want to invest in and ensure that you have good-quality shoes [or these Hoka’s]. You’ll save yourself a lot of pain down the line.

Dress For Easy Maneuverability

You’ll be on the move a lot during a wedding shoot. Your job is to use your camera to capture the day’s magic. This means that you could easily find yourself crouched down to catch flower girls playing, or lying on the ground to get some fun perspective shots of the bride tossing her bouquet. Whatever you’re wearing needs to be practical for moving fast and in some unusual ways.

Never wear anything too tight that you can’t crouch or bend over easily, or reach up to get a high-angle shot. You also shouldn’t wear anything that needs readjusting regularly, or you might find you’re distracted by your wardrobe and miss an important shot.

It’s also important not to wear anything too revealing or sexy. This is especially important if you want to wear a dress—nothing too low cut or with a hemline that’s too short. This is vital for both practical reasons in terms of moving around and for not drawing unwanted attention to yourself.

Pockets Are Always A Plus

On the day of the wedding, you could find yourself moving between locations and different spots within the venue quite a bit. Carrying a bag with lenses and other equipment is a very practical solution. However, there are times when you need to be able to quickly switch out to a new lens or put on a flash for lowlight conditions. Pockets are very helpful in these situations.

Cargo pants are often the answer for many photographers, but they’re not really suitable for a professional look for a wedding. When putting your outfit together, think about what you can fit in your pants and jacket pockets. You may also want to consider getting a subtle utility belt with a camera holster or a fanny pack that clips around your waist.

Always Ask The Couple About Anything To Avoid

Most importantly, talk to the couple who have hired you about what they want for their wedding. Perhaps they’re avoiding specific colors, or maybe they’ve chosen a trendy color scheme that they want you to match. It’s best to know this information upfront so you don’t accidentally arrive on the day in an outfit that clashes with or goes against their aesthetic.

If the wedding has a theme, ask the couple if they would like you to dress to the theme or if they’re happy for you to come in a basic, smart jumpsuit outfit so that you can be part of the background. They might insist that everyone is dressed in period-accurate clothing for their theme, and having you in a modern outfit will ruin their overall aesthetic.

Remember, You’re Representing Your Brand

Whatever you choose to wear, remember that you are the face of your brand. You’re representing yourself and what you do and have been paid to do.

You don’t want to stand out for all the wrong reasons or draw attention to yourself in any way. In fact, it’s best if no one notices you’re there, but your photos show you were everywhere, capturing everything. That’s the ideal result every professional wedding photographer should aim for, and what you wear goes a long way toward achieving this.