What to wear for...a photoshoot

I recently received an academic honor and the University is preparing an article that will include a photo of me. I'm getting my picture taken tomorrow. They want it to look outdoorsy (I'm a biologist) so we're going to do it in some woods on campus where it will be muddy, etc. Casual is most appropriate; white jeans are not. I'm thinking of building my outfit around my Frye carsons and straight-leg jeans (bottom half of #1) and am wondering what else to wear - button down and jacket (top half of 2 or 3) ? Sweater and jacket (top half of 1 or 4)? Any other ideas? It will be pretty warm (70F).

ETA: #5 top half is another option. I also have JCrew button downs in cornflower blue, blue/white stripe, white...

ETA2: There's growing consensus for #2 top/jacket combo. TUCKED? or UNTUCKED? If TUCKED, what belt?

Thanks.

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11 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

That is so cool! Congratulations, Sarah.

I'm not an expert on photoshoots, but I would definitely wear something that feels comfortable and natural. I think you're on the right track with the Carsons and denim. As for the top, a button shirt always looks good...but does it work with the "outdoorsy" nature of the shoot? Hmm.

I guess I would also consider which colors look good against the colors of the forest (greens and browns), as well as which colors looks best on you.

sarah

Thanks, Nancy. I think a button down would be "academic" but not too formal. I know that blues/teals/greens look good on me, hence 1-3. Nothing's leafed out here yet, so the background will be mostly brown/grey : )

Ingunn

(website)

Congratulations, how exciting! I prefer #2 for tops. A busy background requires a solid top, I think.

kellygirl

Ooh, congratulations, sarah! I love the button down in 2. The color is so pretty on you and the style conveys that academic vibe while the jeans and boots are outdoorsy. I'd definitely wear the jacket too.

ETA: I think the plain JCrew shirts would work too. The butterfly is awesome but strikes me as a little whimsical. Not sure if you want to convey that in print.

Janet

If you were one of my clients, I'd choose #2!

Runcarla

Congratulations! A light coloured solid button down in any of the blues you wear so well.

Thanks, everyone. This is helpful. I added a question about tucking above.

Makrame

Oh how great, congratulations!

Before reading other replies, I was going to suggest #2 because once when we had a photoshoot in the lab, I was told to wear bright, solid colors (I think pattern is supposed to be bad for photoshoots?).

Maybe also try it tucked with the belt from #3? Although it looks great as is. Other solid color shirts would probably be good, too.

Parsley

Congratulations, Sarah!
That's wonderful!
I concur with the choice of #2.
I'll vote tucked with a light-colored belt.

Mona

Congratualtions, Sarah! I am so excited for you. I really like both tops in #2 and 3 and tucked with belt in #3.

Irene

As you have been told already, no pattern, especially if there is a background AND you are the focus of the photoshoot (not your clothes, which would serve a completely different purpose).

Keep it simple, flattering to both bodyshape and skintone and comfortable. YOU are the protagonist, after all.

White, even if not the easiest color to photograph, looks good on most people and lightens up the face.

Tucked with a neutral belt. I love the untucked version but prefer tucked for the occasion.

Ditto a solid for the top. Pick the most flattering shade for you. Congrats!

Isis

congrats!!!!

Love the color of the shirt in #2. I vote tucked with a neutral belt.

bj1111

sarah...you must share with us what the honor is.

my faves are at the opposite ends of the dressy-casual spectrum and depends on the note you want to strike.

the standard and extremely flatter #2 is the dressier option.

i quite like #4 for the less dressy "outdoorsy" option.

what were you thinking about the vibe you want to convey?

Deborah

Congratulations Sarah. I also think the top of #2 would be lovely.

pil

Congratulations, Sarah! I concur with #2, that color is fabulous on you. the solid ought to photograph well while still projecting the outdoorsy vibe.

And look at your musician in the backbround of #4 : )

Angie

Fashion Stylist

A huge congrats!! I like #1 best for Outdoorsy. But #2 best out of all the outfits!

Vicki

Sarah, congratulations on this recent achievement! I'm so happy for you. I started to post earlier and it didn't take. I loved 1 and 5 instantly and haven't read the other responses. In this setting, showing the nature of your work with style and flair, any one would be a winner. Please show us the final results of this amazing moment.

Jaime

#2 is a great choice - will it be a full length shot? But I am really commenting to say Congratulations on the honor!

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