Preparing Guys For Their Light & Airy Portrait Session

A Visual Styling Guide

A Guide to Colors, Clothing, Silhouette’s and Accessories To Achieve The Light & Airy Aesthetic

Light & Airy is a classic, romantic style of photography. It’s often associated with a soft, ethereal, almost heavenly glow – an aesthetic that avoids anything too heavy like harsh shadows, dark-colored clothing, or bold, editorial elements. This style tends to be viewed as more feminine and is often used when photographing women, but it can absolutely be adapted for guys too!

As a wedding and portrait photographer with years of experience, I’ve broken down a few key tips to help guys get the most out of their session. Whether it’s for an engagement shoot or a solo portrait session!

Colors

Light & Airy is well known for its pastel-like color palette. Colors can really make or break your portrait session if you’re aiming to avoid a heavier look. The goal is to stick to brighter and more neutral tones -think pale blues, blush pinks, beige, cream, and white. These types of colors help keep everything soft and balanced in camera.

Colors to avoid would be things like dark blues, black, or overly saturated tones. While I have seen clients wear darker pieces, like black or dark blue pants, it’s all about balance. For example, if you go with dark dress pants, try to pair them with a lighter top to even it out.

There’s also a technical reason to avoid super saturated colors. Light & Airy is usually shot in natural light, often during golden hour when the light has a warm, glowy tone. If the sun hits your clothing and you’re wearing something really saturated like a bold orange or yellow – the light will reflect that color and create unflattering color casts under your chin and on other parts of your face.

Clothing

Many dress shirts already come in the pastel color palette mentioned earlier, which makes them a great choice. Dress pants in colors like navy, gray, beige, or brown also work really well with this style of photography. Even black pants can work as long as you keep in mind the balance we talked about earlier. Khakis are another great option.

Although this style of photography is often seen as more formal, jeans are actually one of the best choices guys can go with. A lot of jeans come in classic blue or light blue washes, which photograph beautifully – especially when paired with a white top.

Other unisex pieces like blouses, cardigans, and sweaters can also help create a soft, romantic feel in your photos. Try to avoid blazers, leather jackets, cargo pants, or other heavier fabrics that don’t have much movement. These types of pieces can create what we call “black holes” in a photo – dark, dense areas that weigh down the light and airy look we’re going for.

Silhouette

One thing that’s just as important as the colors you wear is the fit of your clothing. For Light & Airy photography, I always recommend going with oversized or loose-fitting pieces. That soft, romantic feel often comes naturally in bridal photos thanks to long, flowy gowns—but when photographing guys, we usually have to improvise to get that same effect. The best way to do that is by choosing relaxed silhouettes that add softness and movement to your overall look.

If you’re buying new clothes for your shoot, For tops – I suggest sizing up by one or even two sizes especially for tops. For bottoms, look for flared, loose, or wide-leg fits. Oversized tops can hang naturally at your sides or be tucked in slightly, but make sure your pants fit properly at the waist while still giving an overall looser silhouette.

It’s really important to avoid tight shirts or tight pants, as these tend to push the overall look toward a bolder, editorial or men’s magazine style – which is the opposite of what we’re aiming for here. Try to stay away from slim, skinny, or athletic-cut clothing.

One more thing to avoid, which is very common in current fashion trends, is architectural or overly stylized pieces. While I do recommend wide-leg pants, certain extreme styles like “balloon” silhouettes that dramatically flare out – can lean too far into high-fashion territory, which again takes away from the soft and airy aesthetic we’re going for.

Accessories

Accessories are a great way to elevate or enhance your outfit as long as they’re styled thoughtfully. For this type of photography, less is more. Simple pieces like a ring, a loose bracelet, a minimal necklace (possibly layered), and earrings can all help add to that soft, romantic feel without being distracting.

It’s best to avoid large or bold jewelry, such as chunky watches, oversized pendants, thick chain necklaces, or gothic-style pieces, as these can clash with the Light & Airy aesthetic. The same goes for footwear. Try to avoid large, dark sneakers, heavy boots, or bulky dress shoes. These types of shoes tend to stand out too much and can throw off the overall balance of the look, making the outfit feel heavier than intended.

Extra Tips!

• Try to schedule your session during golden hour, which is about two hours before sunset. This creates the softest, most flattering light. Avoid shooting in the middle of the day when the sun is harsh and direct.
• Choose locations with plenty of natural greenery, like gardens or parks. Avoid urban backdrops, dark forests, or dimly lit areas, as they can take away from the light and airy feel.
• Keep your posing minimal and relaxed. For inspiration, look at public figures like Timothée Chalamet, K-pop idols, or modern fashion brands like Zara and Uniqlo.
• Consider using a lightweight tinted moisturizer and spot concealer to even out your skin tone and gently soften the overall look- especially if you’re prone to acne or dark spots. It can help enhance the dreamy, polished aesthetic.
• If you’re shooting indoors, place yourself as close to a window as possible to make the most of soft, natural light.
• Have fun! The colors and silhouettes you wear for this type of shoot might feel a little impractical for everyday life, but they photograph beautifully and really help bring the light & airy aesthetic to life.

I’m dedicated to making your Wedding or Portrait session in Albany, Upstate NY, and beyond, a smooth, personalized, and memorable experience. Ready to capture your special moments? Get in touch here!

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Thank you for reading!

-Raf