23 Unique Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

Planning a family photoshoot and need tips on what to wear? Or maybe you have an upcoming birthday and want to take birthday photos that are stylish yet still uniquely you? Peerspace is the nation’s largest collection of special event venue rentals and ideas for making these events memorable. So, check out 23 of our unique photoshoot outfit ideas to see what’s a great fit for your personal style!

1. Head to the beach wearing white and blue 

If you live near the beach, then you already have the perfect photo opportunity. Professional family and portrait photographers often recommend wearing bright white clothes, or white with a single solid color like blue. These tones look great in outdoor sun and have become classics for beach portrait shoots!

2. Stay trendy with a leather jacket

Leather jackets can be punk, trendy, edgy, or sporty, depending on the cut and accessories. It’s an amazingly versatile outfit choice that instantly tells the viewer of the photo something about you! 

Before you pick your jacket, think about booking a venue filled with professional photoshoot amenities. Peerspace has studios like The Green Room in Seattle, WA, with a moody luxe vibe that’s perfect for lifestyle portraiture!

3. Dress street chic for an urban photoshoot

Street chic can mean wearing your favorite outfit, a light jacket for a cool autumn day, or something else entirely. What would you wear if you wanted to look good on a day outing downtown? Dress the part for fashionable portraits that truly look like you!

4. Choose matching colors for group photoshoots

Are you planning a photoshoot with friends or family? Have everyone choose matching colors and patterns so the final image doesn’t clash too hard. Go with solid colors, a single pattern like stripes, earth tones, or shades of blue for a truly pleasing photo!

5. Bring out your inner sparkle with a sequin dress

Sequins are icons of the 70s and 80s but never truly went out of fashion. Bring them back with a sequin dress that catches the light and makes you look extra-vibrant. They convey glamour, glitz, and a party atmosphere with a single outfit!

6. Keep it simple with a white t-shirt and jeans

Jeans and a t-shirt are a timeless look that balances casual, comfortable, and classy in a way few other outfits can match. It’s a photoshoot outfit idea you probably already have in your closet. You can also accessorize with ease to make it anything from a decade outfit to more of a Western feel!

7. Pick outfits from your favorite international culture

Do you and your family have international roots? Or maybe you simply want to celebrate a particular culture because it has special meaning to you. Choose an outfit from that culture that people might wear for a special event for unique photoshoot outfit ideas.

Check out these exotic photoshoot ideas for more international inspiration with a touch of sultry.

8. Start with a classic little black dress

A little black dress is a staple for photoshoot outfit ideas because you can build off it in so many ways. Keep it minimalistic with just the dress, add some jewelry, or a top in solid colors or a pattern for an instant look. You can easily make an outfit with this dress as the foundation classy or casual, depending on your mood!

9. Bring back the retro skater outfit

If you want a photoshoot outfit idea that will really stand out as something unique, check out the retro skater look. You may need to head to a vintage clothing store for a few of the signature accessories. Think knee high socks, jean jackets, and short shorts! Not to mention roller skates if you don’t have a pair already in your closet!

10. Pick a flowing midi or maxi dress for an outdoor shoot

Are you planning on having an outdoor photoshoot at a meadow, forest glade, or other location? Think about a cute midi or maxi length dress! The flowing fabric paired with a sun hat is an instant vibe that’s perfect for this kind of photoshoot. Go with solid color or floral print; whichever best matches your personal look.

11. Show off your physique with a fitted t-shirt

Men’s photoshoot outfit ideas include a fitted t-shirt that lets everyone see how much effort you put into fitness. Fitted tees look best in a solid shade for most portrait shoots. Colors like blue and white look great for bright sunlight. If you’re in the shade or indoors, black or gray might be a better option!

12. Be bold with a statement jumpsuit

Jumpsuits are one of our favorite pieces of 1970s fashion that can still find a place in a contemporary photoshoot if you want a daring look. Keep it tame with a single solid color or go hard with sequins, leopard print, and other patterns for a truly unique portrait.

Jumpsuits look great in studio settings with ample natural light and white backgrounds. Peerspace has amazing venues like this natural light photography space in Denver, CO, with soft box reflectors, a white backdrop, and other amenities needed for picture-perfect portraits!

13. Stick to socks for a home photoshoot

Not every photoshoot happens outdoors or in a studio! You can make it clear to viewers they’re looking at a home portrait session by having everyone wearing socks. Matching socks are ideal for holidays or birthdays. Let everyone choose their favorites since socks are less critical to the final look than matching shirts and pants.

14. Dress down for pajama portraits

Pajamas are another one of our unique photoshoot outfit ideas! You don’t have to dress up to look good, after all. Cozy pajamas come in fantastic patterns that truly say something about you in a way a standard dress outfit doesn’t. Pajamas are perfect for home photoshoots and other locations where you might prefer a super casual atmosphere.

15. Match your outfit colors to your background

This is one of those easy photoshoot outfit ideas that works no matter the theme of the event. You can use autumn or earth tones for an outdoor fall photoshoot, or pick red, green, and white for a Christmas photo session.

16. Dig deep in your closet for ugly sweater portraits

Do you have a sweater that only sees the light of day a few times per year? It’s probably an ugly holiday sweater that needs a reason for taking up space in your wardrobe. Choose this whimsical option for a holiday photo shoot where you want to really stand out and make everyone laugh!

Ugly sweaters also make amazing party themes! Check out these ugly sweater party ideas to take your next gathering to the next level.

17. Stand out with contrasting colors

Sometimes blending in is the last thing we want in a photoshoot. Choose contrasting colors instead if you want the background to fade into obscurity. This approach works well for both studio and outdoor photography.

18. Dress for the seasons with jeans and a sweater

Fall and winter photography has its own fashion sense to inform viewers about the time of year you’ve chosen. Jeans and a sweater are a look anyone can pull off. The sweater can be either a solid color or patterned, as you like. Both styles work well with a pair of vibrant blue jeans! 

19. Head to the beach or pool with your best swimwear

Swimwear is its own fashion genre that many people hardly think about when planning a photoshoot. Celebrate summer, poolside resorts, and vacations with your favorite one-piece swimsuit, swim trunks, bikini, or other stylish swimwear! For ideas on just the right outfit, check out Peerspace’s pool party outfit ideas!

20. Pick trousers and a blazer for a professional appearance

Trousers and a blazer instantly evoke a professional look that’s perfect for images that need to display a little polish. Subdued colors like dark blue, gray, and black are what most people go for. People who want to stand out a bit might choose colors and patterns that are more unique!

21. Go with the flow wearing a fishtail dress

Solid color fishtail dresses are a great choice for photo shoots since they are gorgeous despite being impractical to wear on a daily basis. The flowing fabric catches the wind (or a nearby fan), offering a soft contrast to the harder elements of the outdoors. 

22. Guarantee success with a neutral outfit

Are you struggling to choose with so many photoshoot outfit ideas? Go with a neutral outfit using a combination of gray, cream, tan, and black. These colors work together with almost any apparel options you choose!

23. Go back a few centuries with a Renaissance outfit

Decade outfits are fun, but you can make your photoshoot even more unique by winding the clock back a few centuries! Renaissance apparel includes layered colonial clothing, lacey high society dresses, and even costumes that you’d normally find in medieval fantasy.

Unique photoshoot outfit ideas: conclusion

From swimwear to urban fashion, Peerspace’s photoshoot outfit ideas offer something to make any look possible. If you’ve found our ideas helpful, then consider browsing some of our photo shoot venues near you as well. We have studios, homes, greenhouses, and other spaces where you can easily bring a portrait theme to life! 

Find unique photo studios for your next shoot on Peerspace