Shooting photos in a studio has its own set of requirements, especially when it comes to wardrobe selection. The last thing you want to do when planning your photoshoot outfits is thrown on anything without thinking about the colors you’re wearing and how they work together. Luckily, there are many different color wheels you can use to help guide your choices, and I’ll discuss two of the most popular ones here so you can decide which one works best for you!
Complementary colors
When it comes to color, there are two basic colors you’ll want to focus on: warm and cool. These colors are described by how close they are or aren’t from each other on what is known as a color wheel. To create interesting shots, consider dressing your model with complementary colors. Red and green go well together because they’re opposite of each other on the color wheel; think Santa Claus and Christmas trees. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t pair another color with either one! If your subject is wearing red pants and a green shirt, for example, choose an orange vest for her top layer. The colors won’t blend so much that she’ll look like an Oompa Loompa but will add visual interest for those looking at your photos.
Analogous colors
To create beautiful color harmony, try selecting colors that are near each other on a color wheel. Not sure what colors are near each other? You can use an analogous color palette, which is made up of three or more colors that sit next to each other on a color wheel. Analogous palettes tend to look best with warm neutrals; however, they can also work well with cool neutrals like grays and black. Here’s how they work: If you choose blue-green as your main (or dominant) color and surround it with red-purple, orange and yellow—your palette will be blue-green/red-purple/orange/yellow.
Analogous Triad
Analogous color harmony involves using hues from adjacent positions on color wheels; for example, red, orange and yellow would make up an analogous triad. Triads can be especially effective because they use three colors instead of two; using analogous color harmony is kind of like buying a 1-year supply all at once—you get more variety than you would if you had bought a few different items each season. Analogous palettes have been proven to have emotional appeal, as well. In 2006, researchers found that consumers tend to prefer products with similar colors; clothing designers sometimes take advantage of that fact by creating analogous patterns or designs.
