What to Wear for Your Portrait Session in Toronto

Outfit choice is one of the most common things clients stress about before a portrait session — and one of the most common things that gets overlooked until the night before. After photographing hundreds of sessions in Toronto and the GTA, here's what we tell every single client.

Start with Solid Colours

Solid colours almost always photograph better than busy patterns. Stripes, logos, and graphic prints compete with your face for attention in the frame, and they can distort optically when photographed. If you love pattern, use it as an accent — a patterned scarf with a solid base outfit, for example — not as the foundation of the look.

Choose Colours That Work for Your Skin Tone

There are no universally flattering colours — but some principles apply broadly. Earth tones (rust, camel, olive, cream, terracotta) work beautifully against Toronto's urban and natural backdrops. Jewel tones (emerald, cobalt, burgundy) add richness and depth to photos. Avoid pure white (it blows out in bright conditions) and black-on-black layering (loses dimension). Pastels can wash out fair skin — test them in window light before committing.

Bring 2–3 Outfit Options

Even if you're only booking a one-hour session, bring options. A wardrobe change creates variety in your gallery that makes it feel like two separate shoots. Pack outfits in a garment bag, not a suitcase — wrinkles are permanent in photos. We'll help you decide the order on the day.

Fit Matters More Than Brand

Well-fitted clothing from any price point photographs better than expensive, ill-fitting pieces. Check that shoulders sit correctly, nothing pulls or bunches, and hems fall where they should. If you're not sure, try each outfit on and move around in front of a mirror before the shoot day.

What to Avoid

• Logos and text — they date the photo and pull focus
• Neon and fluorescent colours — they cast colour onto skin in the wrong light
• Overly casual wear — unless that's intentional and discussed in advance
• New shoes that haven't been worn in — you'll be uncomfortable and it shows
• Heavy jewellery if you're doing close-up portraits — it distracts

Grooming & Hair

Get a haircut at least 5 days before your session — fresh cuts often look too sharp and severe. If you colour your hair, do it 2 weeks prior so it settles. On shoot day, bring a small grooming kit: blotting papers, lip balm, a comb, and deodorant. For outdoor sessions in Toronto summers, a translucent powder can prevent unwanted shine.

Book Your Portrait Session in Toronto

At ShotByRoi, we offer portrait sessions starting at $199/hr for individuals, couples, families, and professionals across Toronto, Markham, and the GTA. We help guide outfit choices during the pre-session consultation — so you'll never have to stress about it alone.