What should you bring to a photo shoot?

To be a great commercial model you have to invest in a great commercial wardrobe. When you are asked to come to a shoot, especially a test or stock shoot, models are often requested to bring their own wardrobe. But what really do you need to bring? Should you just empty out your closet? Below I have a list that will make any photographer happy and will not break you back.

Women:

• a few business suits
• a little black dress
• a few skirts (Current style is best, not too short.)
• scarves and accessories (Cheap costume jewelry is fine—the more the better. A ring to look like a wedding ring often comes in handy.)
• nice black slacks and tan pants
• 5 or 6 tops (Colors are fine, but no black, no crazy colors or prints, and no logos.)
• a turtleneck
• jeans (no holes, not too worn-looking)
• black and tan low-heeled shoes
• tennis shoes without prominent logos (obvious branding)
• black high heels (not too stripper-looking)
• sandals
• shorts (not too short)
• ball cap with no logo
• strapless bra, nude
• nude undergarments
• tube top
• socks
• a one-piece bathing suit and a two-piece if you have the figure for it
• a jean jacket
• a blazer, current style
• push-up bra and cutlets if you are small on top

Men:

• a nice suit (not cheap—This is a good investment in your career.)
• jeans (not too worn-looking)
• black shoes
• tan shoes
• tennis shoes (no obvious branding)
• socks—black, tan, and white
• dress shirts for suits (4 or 5 in different colors)
• 2 or 3 ties to coordinate with shirts
• polo-style shirts (3 or 4 in different colors)
• Dockers-type pants in navy and khaki
• belts (dress and casual)
• swim shorts
• shorts, cargo in tan or khaki and one dark color
• T-shirts (white, black, a few colors, no logos)
• dress slacks, dark and light (no white)
• turtleneck
• pullover sweaters in a few colors
• dress and sports watches
• ball cap with no logo

Once you have everything, make sure you keep it in excellent condition. You don’t want your stuff to look faded. So, take it to the dry cleaners and keep everything clean and pressed. I personally hate wrinkles. I like to see models bring their things on hangers, not waded up in a duffel bag.

Obvious branding should be avoided on all clothing. If you can recognize a brand, we probably cannot use it on the shoot. Small logos on polo-style shirts normally will not show up, but anything larger may.

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