The Secret to Looking Radiant in Photos: It’s All in the Color You Wear
Have you ever looked at a photo of yourself and thought, “I looked tired,” even when you weren’t? Or maybe there’s that one dress that always gets compliments but you’re not sure why. The secret often comes down to one thing: color.
As a portrait photographer, I see firsthand how the color of your clothing reflects light onto your skin — and it can completely change the way your skin tone appears in photos. Certain colors enhance your natural glow, while others can dull your complexion or cast unflattering tones.
Why Clothing Color Matters in Portraits
In photography, light is everything. When you wear a color close to your face, the light bounces off that fabric and onto your skin — almost like a soft filter. This is great when the color flatters you. But when it doesn’t, it can:
- Make your skin look sallow or overly red
- Accentuate dark circles or uneven tone
- Create unnatural color casts in your photos
But the good news? When you find your most flattering shades, they enhance your eyes, brighten your skin, and bring out the best version of you.
A Quick Experiment You Can Try
Pull out a few tops in different colors: one warm (like mustard or rust), one cool (like navy or lavender), and one neutral (like ivory or soft gray). Stand in natural light and take a selfie or look in the mirror.
Ask yourself:
- Does my skin look healthier in one of these colors?
- Do my eyes seem to pop?
- Do any colors make me look washed out or dull?
You’ll likely see a difference right away. That’s the power of understanding how color interacts with your tone.
What Comes Next in This Series
In the next post, I’ll show you how to figure out whether your skin has warm, cool, or neutral undertones, and how that determines which clothing colors will be your best friends on camera. Once you know your undertone, choosing outfits for portraits becomes easy and even fun!
💬 Want help planning your wardrobe for an upcoming session?
I offer complimentary wardrobe consultations to all my portrait clients, so you don’t have to guess what works best. I’ll help you choose colors that bring out your natural beauty and ensure your portraits are as flattering as possible.