Yana Skakun
Session Prep
Colour Schemes for Photography Sessions
A practical guide to which colours work, how to coordinate without matching, and how to choose a palette that flatters everyone.
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Colour Schemes for Photography Sessions
Colour is one of the most powerful compositional elements in portrait photography, and clothing colour choices consistently make one of the biggest differences to a final image.
This guide goes beyond generic advice ('wear neutrals') to explain specifically why certain colours work, how to coordinate effectively across multiple people, and how to match your palette to your session's setting and season.
If you'd like feedback on your planned outfits before your session, please send me photos via the contact form. I'm always happy to give an honest, practical opinion.
Whites & Creams
Clean, airy and timeless. Works particularly well in bright, open settings and summer sessions. Avoid if your setting has a white or very light background — you'll disappear. Linen and cotton textures add interest.
Neutrals: Stone, Tan, Camel
Warm neutral tones are universally flattering and work in virtually every setting and season. They recede from the background rather than competing with it. My most-recommended family palette.
Navy & Deep Blues
Classic, works for all skin tones and every season. Navy coordinates beautifully with cream, tan, blush and white. Avoid very bright electric blue, which creates unflattering colour cast.
Sage, Dusty Green & Olive
Earthy greens are beautiful in natural settings — woodland, meadows and countryside — because they complement the environment rather than clashing with it.
Blush, Dusty Rose & Terracotta
Warm rosy tones photograph beautifully in natural light, particularly at golden hour. Terracotta is a specifically good choice for autumn sessions.
Colours to Avoid
Neon and very bright saturated colours create colour cast on surrounding skin. Very light grey and lavender can read as washed-out in bright light. Logos and busy small prints distract from faces.
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Ask About Your Outfit
Send me a description or photo of your planned outfits and I'll give honest, practical feedback before your session.