Generally recommended
A wide range genuinely works. Good fit matters more than any particular item, something that sits well on you will always photograph better than something baggy or borrowed for the occasion.
- Solid colours and tailored pieces
- Denim, leather, and knitwear
- Layered outfits and colour blocking
- Bold or busy patterns, they can look great and add real personality
- Well-fitted silhouettes, whether fitted or deliberately oversized
- Texture mixing, like satin against denim or knit against leather
Think about what you'd genuinely want to be seen in, not what you think a shoot "should" look like. Effort is genuinely the biggest factor in how an image turns out, a look you've actually thought through and put together well will always read better than something grabbed at the last minute, whatever it happens to be.
Worth avoiding
The focus should stay on you, not the clothing, and a couple of things tend to pull that focus away, sometimes creating licensing complications too if an image is ever used commercially:
- Loud logos and brand names
- Busy graphic prints that compete for attention
- Ill-fitting or baggy pieces that don't sit right
- Anything borrowed last-minute just to have something to wear
- Heavily wrinkled or visibly worn-out fabric
- Outfits that don't match the energy or setting of the shoot
This isn't a ban on sportswear, hoodies, or graphic tees specifically, styled with real intention they can absolutely work. It's really about avoiding anything that reads as an afterthought rather than a genuine choice, the same outfit worn without much thought, or something genuinely lacklustre, won't bring out the best in you or the images. Good styling is genuinely everything to an image, without it, even a technically great photo struggles to be a good one.
Doesn't suit your style?
That's completely fine, these are starting points, not the full list. On the booking page, select Something else under styles and describe the direction you have in mind instead.
A few questions
What should I wear to a modelling portfolio shoot?
Something that fits well and feels genuinely like you, that matters more than any specific item. A wide range of clothing works, tailored pieces, denim, knitwear, layered outfits, colour, even bold patterns, they can look great and add real personality. The one consistent piece of advice across the industry is to keep the focus on you rather than the clothing, so loud logos, brand names, and busy graphic prints are worth leaving at home, everything else is genuinely open.
Do I need to bring my own clothes to a TFP shoot?
Yes. TFP (Time for Print/Portfolio) sessions like this one don't include a stylist or wardrobe on set, you source and bring your own outfits. That's genuinely part of the exercise, thinking through what you'd want to be seen in says something real about your own sense of style, which is exactly what a portfolio is meant to show.
What outfits work best for a beginner modelling portfolio?
Something simple and well-fitted alongside something with a bit more personality tends to cover the most ground for a first portfolio. One clean, minimal look photographs versatile, while a second look with more texture, colour, or edge shows range. You don't need designer pieces or a huge wardrobe, two genuinely well-chosen outfits will always outperform four rushed ones.
Should I wear designer or expensive clothing for a photoshoot?
No, and agencies generally aren't looking for that either. A portfolio is meant to show you, not your wardrobe budget, so a well-fitted, considered outfit from anywhere will photograph better than an expensive piece that doesn't sit right or doesn't feel like you.
Can I wear patterns or logos in a portfolio shoot?
Patterns, genuinely yes, bold or busy patterns can look great and add real character to an image. Logos and brand names are the one thing worth avoiding, they pull focus onto the clothing rather than you, and can create licensing complications if an image is ever used commercially. That's really the whole distinction, not patterns versus plain, but whether something's competing with you for attention.
What's the difference between editorial and commercial styling?
Editorial styling leans into mood, concept, and a stronger point of view, the kind of images you'd expect in a magazine spread, often bolder or more directional. Commercial styling is cleaner and more universally wearable, built to show how a product, brand, or look could realistically be sold. Neither is "better", they photograph and read differently, and a portfolio with a mix of both shows more range than committing to just one.
How many outfits should I bring to a modelling photoshoot?
Two, genuinely decided and described in advance rather than a growing pile of options to choose between on the day. Two well-considered outfits, each with real thought behind it, gives more usable variety than three or four rushed ones, and keeps the day itself focused rather than spent debating wardrobe.
Does hair and makeup matter for a portfolio shoot?
It matters, but simple and natural generally photographs better than heavy or elaborate, agencies and photographers alike tend to want to see the actual person rather than a finished beauty look. Clean skin, groomed brows, and hair that's genuinely you go a long way, no professional styling is required or provided for a session like this, so whatever you're comfortable doing yourself is the right amount.
What shoes work best for a modelling photoshoot?
Whatever genuinely matches the outfit and how you'll be moving, a full-body or walking shot needs shoes that hold up to scrutiny, while a close, cropped shot may never show them at all. Comfort is worth prioritising for anything outdoors or on your feet for a while, an ill-fitting shoe becomes obvious in posture and expression far more than people expect.
Questions first? Reach out at contact@mettyunuabona.com