What should I wear for my couples photoshoot in Scotland?
Once you set the date for your photoshoot in Scotland and chose the location, the first thing that will pop in to your mind is probably this: what on earth should we wear?!
As a Scotland couples photographer who has worked with lots of couples over the years, I am very happy to help you make the right wardrobe decisions so that your photos end up looking truly stunning! Without further ado, here are my top tips for choosing the right outfits for your session:
1. Avoid loud patterns and logos
While patterned clothes look beautiful in person, that is often not the case in photos. Patterns can be very distracting and quickly become the focal part of the photo when it should be you and your love - of course! If you do want to wear some patterned clothes, make sure that the pattern is not too eye-catching. One exception to the pattern rule are tartan scarves - they always look beautiful and compliment Scottish landscapes very well. I buy my tartan scarves from one of my favourite Scottish small businesses - Tartan Blanket Co (they ship internationally, too!).
2. Choose colours according to your environment
While deciding on what to wear for your photoshoot, it is a good idea to consider your location and the time of the year. For example, if you are having your session in the Old Town of Edinburgh with lots of grey/beige architecture, it is a good idea to choose bolder colours that will pop against it. However, if you are heading to the Highlands, more neutral/earthy colours - white, beige, grey, brown, rust - would compliment the environment better. If you are going to have your session in Spring or Summer with lots of green foliage around, I would avoid wearing green as you may blend in with the background.
3. Go more formal if you want the fairytale vibe for your photos
If you are planning to book or have already booked your couples session with me, you may have noticed a tendency in the type of photos that I show a lot on my portfolio: a lot of them have a dramatic, almost fairytale vibe. Something to note is that if you are seeking the same vibe for your photos, it is important to pay attention to the type of clothing the couples in these photos are wearing. Most of the time, you will notice, the women are wearing long, flowy dresses (paired with long, elegant coats in the colder seasons) and the men are sporting either a full suit, or suit trousers + shirt (again paired with an elegant overcoat in winter). I have absolutely no problem with more casual clothing but if you seek the same look in the photos I just described, it’s very unlikely you will get that when wearing jeans and an oversized jumper so it is definitely something to keep in mind.
4. Wear something that fits your personal style
While it is important to wear the type of clothes that will look flattering in photos, it is even more important that you feel good in whatever you choose to wear. If you do not feel comfortable in a flowy dress + suit, then don’t wear them. That being said, if it is something that you do not usually wear but feel beautiful in - go for it by all means!
5. Bring comfortable footwear
Wherever you choose to have your photoshoot in Scotland - whether it’s the wilderness of the Highlands or the cobbled streets of Edinburgh - you want to make sure you have comfortable shoes with you. It is super important that you feel comfortable and let’s face it - sore feet are not it! If you would prefer to wear heels in your pictures, consider having a light pair of sneakers to throw in the bag while we are walking between different locations. For the Highlands, a pair of stylish boots is often the way to go.
6. Dress for the weather
Scotland is known for its weather - we have all sorts of it and it always changes! So if you are having your session in the colder months, don’t be afraid to layer up. A cosy knit jumper or a longer classic coat can look very stylish + feel warm at the same time. Also, a tartan scarf looks super cool in Scotland - Tartan Blanket Co makes some of my favourite woollen scarfs that are a great accessory to wear for your session during colder months. If you like wearing dresses, a flowy maxi dress or skirt always look super romantic and definitely add to those Outlander vibes Scotland is famous for!
7. Hair & Make up
If, like me, you feel completely useless at doing your own hair & make up, consider hiring a professional to handle it for you and make you feel like a movie star for the day! I know a few brilliant hair & make up artists in Scotland that I would happily recommend if you decide to go ahead and book one.
Some of my favourite Scotland hair/make-up artists:*
(she did the hair for my client in the photos below)
*(If none of the above work for you, please get in touch for more personal recommendations.)
8. What if it rains?
I’ll say this again and again - rain is not a deterrent for having beautiful photos. In fact, often it really contributes to the mood & drama of Scottish landscapes. However, that doesn’t mean you need to get drenched - a simple transparent umbrella will both look great in photos and keep you dry. The photo of Christi & Dylan below was taken while it was raining and doesn’t it look super romantic?!
Bonus: examples of some great outfits for your photoshoot
These examples show some of my favourite outfits my clients chose to wear - from vintage to modern, from formal to casual. While generally I always recommend more formal outfits - long flowy dresses and suits - for that dreamy fairytale look, sometimes that’s just not you and that’s okay!
While this guide covers the most important points about choosing an outfit, I am more than happy to work with you to help you pick the perfect look for your Scotland couples session. If you have any questions or if you would like to book in for your own adventurous couples photoshoot, simply shoot me an email!