What to wear for a travel photoshoot

By Mariya Harley · London · updated August 2026

What works for a travel shoot specifically

Colour. One or two strong colours that separate from the location: white in a whitewashed town, beige in a desert or navy at sea all disappear. Look at photographs of where you are going before packing.

Fabric. Something that moves, and something that survives a suitcase. Linen photographs beautifully and creases in an hour, which is either the look or a problem depending on your tolerance.

Footwear. Walkable, because the good frames are always further from the hotel than the obvious ones.

The thing that ruins frames. Packing six outfits and photographing all of them badly. Two considered looks produce more usable images than six rushed ones.

In the bag. A steamer or a wrinkle spray for what the suitcase did, one outfit that photographs in motion, and a small tripod for the room and blue-hour frames. Leave the sixth outfit at home — two considered looks beat six rushed ones.

Two rules that hold everywhere

• Steam it the night before — creases are the most expensive thing in any retouching bill and the cheapest to prevent.
• Bring options and decide on set, where you can see the light and the background rather than guessing at home.