As a photographer, I’ve seen a wide array of outfits show up to professional shoots. For the most part, people do a fairly good job of knowing what will and won’t look good in a photograph. Yet every now and then I encounter some cringe-worthy choices that leave me feeling like the potential for greatness has been lost before we’ve even started. Fashion decisions can take a picture from ‘good’ to ‘amazing’ but can also come across extremely distracting, dull, or simply unattractive. To avoid the latter, I’ve compiled a list of five “No-No’s” and apparel mistakes to keep in mind the next time you schedule your portraits.

1. Sneakers and Athletic Footwear

This rule will likely apply more to the men in your life. I for one know it can be a struggle to convince them to take pictures with you, let alone to wear something other than tennis shoes. My advice is to try and use your persuasive skills or gift him with a new pair of casual/formal shoes that he will be excited to wear. Girls can actually get away with wearing sneakers from time to time based on the style and setting of the shoot. For instance, the Adidas Originals and Converse classics have recently become a fashion statement again. However, it’s always safer to go with a more formal option if not just to keep your photos more fashionably relevant for a longer period of time.

2. T-Shirts    

Yes, they are comfy. Yes, they are practical. But for the hour or so of your life being documented through photographic medium, let’s all pretend that you sometimes wear a button-up or skirt. You’ll thank me later.

3. Large Print Brands and Logos   

This one goes hand-in-hand with #2, because generally if your top has an incredibly large logo across the front, it’s probably a T-shirt. I would typically even avoid any clothing that has a brand name written across the front that can be read from ten feet away. You know the Old Navy ones I’m talking about.

4. Something You’ve Never Worn Before  

Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% pro-shopping for new clothes. Just make sure to wear out your duds at least once before donning them in a professionally posed photo. You’ll feel that much more comfortable knowing how they wear for longer periods of time and how they will act when crouching down in the weird positions we know every photographer loves. Going for your favorite outfits that you know you look amazing in will make you feel more relaxed, and that confidence always transfers through the lens.

5. Too Many Accessories

Accessories can be a great thing! They can take a super casual look to “date-night fabulous” and a somewhat plain white maxi dress to “Holy, fashionista!” Yet finding the right balance of show-stopping shoes to statement necklaces is where the trouble lies. For each look you have, generally one or two attention grabbing accessories is plenty. You don’t want all those extra pieces to take away from the subject of the photograph… you and your family!

Looking for a follow-up on phootshoot outfit best-practices? Alice has an informational PDF with advice and ideas for engagements, family, and children’s portraits. But it’s only available to The Well subscribers. Sign up now and check your inbox tomorrow!