Every shoot day starts with the same question: “What should I wear?” Here’s what we tell every client.
Use the lunch rule
Wear what you’d wear to lunch with a client. A banker might wear a coat and tie. A nonprofit director might wear business casual. A design studio might wear jeans. Every field is different, and the lunch rule takes care of it. If you’d feel right walking into that lunch, you’ll feel right on camera.
Agree as a team
If several of you are on camera, decide the dress level together. One person in a suit next to someone in a hoodie makes the video about the clothes.
Skip red and orange
Camera sensors are very sensitive to red and orange. On screen, these colors get extra bright and can glow. Blue, green, gray, navy and earth tones all look great.
Avoid tight patterns
Fine stripes, small checks, houndstooth and herringbone can make “moiré.” That’s a wavy, shimmering pattern that shows up when the lines in your clothes fight with the tiny grid in the camera’s sensor. It’s distracting on screen, and it can’t be fixed in editing. Solid colors and big, simple patterns are safe.
Contrast with your skin
Pick a top that’s clearly lighter or darker than your skin tone. If your clothes are close to your skin color, you blend in and the image goes flat.
Layer with contrast
Contrasting layers add depth. A bright blouse under a dark blazer, or a light shirt under a navy sweater, gives the shot shape.
Finish the look
Jewelry and watches complete an outfit on camera, just as they do in person. Women: try not to leave the neckline blank. A necklace or a collar fills the frame nicely. Men: a watch rounds out the look.
The short version
Dress for lunch with a client. Skip red, orange and tight patterns. Wear something that contrasts with your skin. Then be yourself. People will remember your tone and presence more than what you wore.
More on that: Don’t rehearse it. Know it.
Got a shoot coming up? Send this to everyone who’ll be on camera.
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