A practical guide to picking outfits that make your photos shine, while avoiding things that don’t work well on camera.
Rule number one: feel good in your own skin
Let’s start with the basics, the thing that, if you get right, already takes half the worry off your shoulders: you need to feel good in what you’re wearing. Comfortable, confident, stylish… but above all, yourself. Why? Because these photos aren’t just pictures—they tell the story of your trip, a piece of your journey. You’re bringing who you really are in front of the camera, and that makes all the difference.
You know that feeling when you see a photo and think, “That’s not me”? Yeah, we don’t want that. We want you to look at these photos later and say, “That’s me, at the best moment of my trip.”
And it’s not about the style itself: you can be sporty and go for a relaxed but polished look, you can be super elegant and pick an outfit that makes you feel like royalty, you can be grunge, minimalist, bohemian, or anything else that feels like you. There’s no “right” style—there’s only your style, done well.
Plus, remember that a photoshoot is ultimately a bit of fun. Playing with outfits, colors, movement, and poses is part of the experience. Thinking of it as a creative, enjoyable moment, as well as a way to make memories, really helps when deciding what to wear: everything becomes more spontaneous, natural, and… fun.
Picture this: ten years from now, you look back at these photos and think how wonderful it was to remember that day, that walk through Rome, those emotions. You’re not thinking, “Why did I wear that?” That’s the goal, right?
And if you’re wondering, “Do I need to change my style for the photos?” Absolutely not, but you do want to show your best version. The one that makes you think, “Okay, I look amazing today.” We’re not talking costumes—we’re talking about bringing out the best of who you are.
Ecco la traduzione in inglese americano della sezione, mantenendo il tono conversazionale e vicino al contenuto originale:
How to Make Sure Your Photos Stand the Test of Time
There are small tricks that really make a difference if you want timeless photos—ones that, years from now, you’ll look at and think, “How wonderful to relive that moment,” without wondering, “What was I wearing?”
The first tip? Avoid fleeting trends. Yes, those super trendy things you see everywhere this year: who knows how they’ll look ten or twenty years from now. Some details can be fun to include, sure, but the foundation should be something that stands the test of time. Another key point: skip the giant logos and flashy prints. You didn’t come to Rome to advertise a brand, right? In your photos, the stars are you, your faces, emotions, and expressions… not the writing on your shirt or a printed graphic.
How can you make safer choices? Look at photos you like from the past: notice how certain looks always work, never go out of style. A well-cut blazer, a long dress that drapes beautifully, clean jeans with a simple shirt, or a minimal but polished sporty outfit… all examples that last. And yes, you can add a personal touch, like a lightweight scarf, a stylish hat, or an accessory that represents you—just don’t overdo it. The idea is to create a look that speaks about you, without stealing attention from the memory you want to capture.
The Message You Want to Convey: Your Outfit Tells a Story
Every outfit says something about you, even when you don’t say a word. So, when you’re choosing what to wear for a photoshoot, what do you want to tell the world? Elegance? Romance? Carefreeness? Energy? Or maybe a mix of all of that? Every feeling has its go-to clothing. Elegance speaks for itself with a well-cut dress or a tailored suit, romance can come through in casual but coordinated pieces, carefreeness shows up in a light spring dress or linen pants with a soft shirt, while energy can shine through in punk, rock, or simply more vibrant details.
The key is that everything should be consistent with who you are and how you feel comfortable. Rome is elegant and timeless, of course, but that doesn’t mean you have to be formal all the time. You can opt for a polished casual style: the difference between a thought-out casual look and “I just grabbed the first thing in the closet” is huge—and it shows immediately in photos.
A simple way to think about it is to imagine going to a small party or a celebration with friends: a graduation, an anniversary, a special dinner. You don’t need to be dressed for the red carpet, but you do want to look your best—for yourself and for the people around you.
Color Harmony: The Secret to a Look That Works
You don’t need to dress exactly the same—in fact, it’s often better not to. What matters is dressing in a harmonious way. This applies whether you’re doing a solo photoshoot, a couple, or a group. But what does “harmony” mean? It means finding color palettes that work well together without creating jarring contrasts, and having styles that complement each other without being identical. You don’t need to match perfectly—you need to look good together, and make that clear in the photos.
Let’s start with palettes: generally, neutral and warm tones always work, especially in Rome, a city with warm, embracing colors. Think beige, cream, taupe, light brown, sand, ivory. These colors, combined thoughtfully, create a soft, natural, and effortlessly elegant effect. If you want to add a touch of color, olive or sage green pairs beautifully with these neutrals. For a romantic touch, you can add small accents in blush pink or peach—just don’t overdo it.
There are also bolder combinations that remain elegant: a deep red dress next to a navy blazer creates a strong but refined visual contrast. Or, for those who want to play with warmer shades, a mustard sweater paired with light brown pants and beige accessories always works. The key is to balance colors so each element stands out without shouting.
Another useful tip, especially for couples or small groups, is to choose two or three reference colors and coordinate them without being identical. Not both wearing a beige shirt and navy pants—better to play with elements. For example: he could wear a beige blazer with blue pants, she a beige blouse with a skirt or pants in a different shade of blue. Or, if you choose sage green, he could wear a shirt in that color and she an accessory (scarf, belt, or shawl) in the same tone. This way, the result is harmonious yet natural, without looking like you copied each other.
In short, harmony doesn’t mean uniformity—it means creating a combination that works, pleases the eye, and highlights the people without ever distracting from the emotion and story the photos want to convey.
Things to Absolutely Avoid
When planning a photoshoot, there are a few things you’ll want to keep away from the camera because they can distract and ruin the harmony of your photos.
Big Logos and Loud Text: Don’t Steal the Spotlight
First up: large logos and bold text. Why? Simple—when someone looks at a photo, their eyes naturally go to faces… and to text. If their gaze lands on your T-shirt instead of your smile, the message of the photo gets lost.
Too Bulky or Too Tight: Find the Right Balance
Watch out for overly bulky pieces: oversized hoodies, big jackets, or sporty bombers can completely hide your shape—unless the sporty vibe is exactly what you want to convey. On the flip side, clothes that are too tight can look unbalanced if they don’t align with your natural style. I’d also avoid all-black or all-white outfits: they lack detail and depth, whereas a range of light and dark tones adds more visual interest.
The Wrong Accessories: Small Details That Make a Big Difference
Fluorescent colors and bold prints should be avoided, as well as accessories in the “wrong” places. A small example: I’ve spent hours in post-production removing hair ties worn as bracelets. Same goes for smartwatches—when they’re on, the bright colors are distracting; when they’re off, they just look like a piece of plastic on your wrist.
Sunglasses and Eyeglasses: When to Say Yes or No
Sunglasses? Better leave them at home—they cover your eyes, and your eyes are what we want to capture to highlight expressions and emotions. Prescription glasses, on the other hand, are up to you: if they truly represent you, wear them. Sure, there might be some reflections (and those can’t be edited out), but it’s better to have an authentic representation than skip something that defines you.
The Right Size: Always! (Well, Almost)
This might sound obvious, but clothes should fit properly. That doesn’t mean giving up oversized looks if that’s your thing—if it’s intentional and part of your style, it works great. But clothes that are way too tight or too loose for what they’re meant to be rarely flatter, and they can restrict movement or mess with your silhouette. The right size, on the other hand, drapes perfectly, highlights your shape, and adds that touch of harmony that makes all the difference in a shoot. It’s amazing how the right fit can make everything look more natural, elegant, and pleasing to the eye.
What Always Works: Pieces That Never Fail
Let’s start with something clear: if you’re someone who knows how to dress and loves fashion, you probably already know what works. You’ve got the eye and don’t really need advice. These tips are mainly for anyone who feels unsure or wants that extra confidence boost.
For men, a well-tailored blazer or jacket always works. Underneath, you can mix it up: dress pants or casual trousers, jeans, or even just a perfectly chosen T-shirt. A simple button-up shirt is always a winner—with or without the blazer—and if you want to add a little extra flair, a subtle pattern can make all the difference. A tie? Totally optional, depending on the mood. Loose trousers and soft, flowing shirts also work great, as long as they feel authentic to your style.
For women, the options are practically endless. Jeans with a soft top are always a safe bet, as are tailored pants paired with a blazer, a breezy spring dress, or a long, elegant gown. The choices are endless, but the secret stays the same: play with combinations, colors, and details without feeling tied down by rigid rules.
Another great tip: dress in layers (without going overboard). Layers open up endless creative possibilities. Think an elegant shawl over a light dress, a corset with a semi-formal jacket, or a cardigan layered over a blouse. Every combo adds depth and movement to the look. And let’s not forget accessories—they can be those small pops of color or meaningful details that tell your story: a belt, a scarf, a hat, understated bracelets. The key is making sure they complement your outfit without stealing the show, adding to the overall harmony instead of distracting from it.
The best part about layers and accessories is that they let you play—before and during the shoot. Try different combinations, swap out a scarf, remove a blazer, shift an accessory. Each tiny change can completely transform the vibe of a photo. This playful approach makes everything more fun and natural, especially for those who don’t like feeling “stuck” in one single outfit.
And here comes the most important part: playfulness. It might sound simple, but the real secret to a successful photoshoot is having fun. Play around with your looks before the shoot, experiment with pairings, switch accessories—and most importantly, feel comfortable and happy with what you’re wearing. Style, at the end of the day, is an attitude. If you feel good and you’re having fun, it shows in the photos way more than any designer label or trendy piece ever could.
So, no magic formula here: what really works is feeling like yourself, experimenting, playing, and bringing positive energy in front of the lens. The rest will take care of itself.
The Final Touch: Have Fun and Be Yourself
At the end of the day, the secret to a successful photoshoot isn’t just the clothes, the colors, or the accessories. The real star is you. Everything you choose to wear should help tell your story—what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. The tips, rules, and color palettes are just there to make it easier for you: to bring out the best in you, without distractions.
And don’t forget to play. Yes, a photoshoot is a bit like a game where you’re the main character: you can experiment, change a detail, try a fun accessory, play with layers and colors. Everything that makes you feel alive, spontaneous, and happy will turn into photos that you’ll love today—and that will keep telling your story 10, 20, even 30 years from now.
So, when you think about your look for Rome, remember this: no outfit is perfect if it doesn’t represent you, no color works if it doesn’t make you feel good, and no accessory is right if it makes you uncomfortable. Choose, try, experiment… and most importantly, have fun. Because when your smile and energy shine through, everything else just falls into place.
In the end, the most beautiful photos are the ones that show who you really are—with a touch of style, a pop of color, and the desire to enjoy the moment and play along.