Color can play a huge role in the storytelling process, especially in photos. Color conveys emotion and can help solidify the story you are wanting to tell. Next time you plan to get updated photos taken, you’ll want to consider utilizing colorful clothing to stand out in portraits.

Of course, there are several elements that make a photograph really pop. The location, photographer’s editing, composition of the image, clothing and outfit choices, and the subject’s personality shining through, to name a few.

By utilizing color to its fullest potential, you first need to get clear on your intention for your photos. What purpose will these photos serve? Will you be hanging them on the walls of your home? Will they be posted on social media or used on your website? Are they representing your brand? There are endless questions to dig deeper and discover your intention for getting these photos taken. And if you’re looking at these questions feeling a bit overwhelmed, it is perfectly fine to not know immediately what your intention is for your photos. Getting clear on your goals for your photos, even if they’re just for fun, will only help you and your photographer create stand out images that really stand out.

There is a vast number of topics to cover when it comes to color, so today we will simply scratch the surface by touching on vibrant colors specifically and how to utilize them when choosing what to wear for your photoshoot.

There are many ways to incorporate vibrant colors into an outfit.

Monochromatic

This color scheme uses variations of lightness and saturation of a single color. Utilizing a monochromatic scheme can create a clean, balanced look and soothing effect.

Color blocking

Color blocking outfits takes two or more different, solid, vibrant colored articles of clothing and pairing them together.

Different ways you can color block

Layering to create interest
Play with textures of colorful clothing
Explore different fits of articles and pairing them together
Choose two different solid colors to start so it doesn’t become overwhelming
Try out unlikely combos (you never know what you’re going to love)

Consider tones of color

Do you want your entire outfit to be vibrant and highly saturated? Or would you prefer a pop of color, showcasing one particular piece of clothing? Or would you prefer small glimpses of color? Deciding on color tone can also influence the overall mood of your images.

know what feeling & emotion you want to project

This goes back to being intentional and knowing your purpose for your photos. Getting clear on how you want to feel in your images or how you want others to feel looking at them (or both!) will make your photos stand out that much more and will give you the confidence of knowing exactly what you’re doing.

You can download my Colors + Emotion infographic for future use below:

Get your colors and emotions PDF here

Be mindful of your location and environment

If your photographer doesn’t help you with this, consider where you will be shooting your photos and what colors enhance or detract from that environment (or if the environment takes away from the clothing).

Stick with one piece with a big impact

You don’t have to go full force with a several different colors. If you want to stay a little more muted or want to pop with a little color, do it! This shoot is for you and you have the final say in what you choose. Wearing one vibrant and colorful article of clothing is also an effective way to stand out without feeling over the top if that’s what you’re worried about. A bright red dress or a pair of yellow pants paired with subtle accessories can be equally as impactful.

Confidence is key

Ultimately, you want to feel confident if the clothes you wear to your photoshoot and in the color you wear! You don’t want to wear a color just because it’s trendy or because you think it will be what your audience will like. Because you are the one on camera, you can only dress in what makes you feel like you can be 100% yourself and tap into the confidence that is within you. Only the colors and clothing that make you feel comfortable and authentic can enhance that feeling and truly create stand out photos.