What to Wear for Your Dublin Photoshoot: A Complete Guide

One of the most common questions I get before a session is simple: what should we wear? It's a fair question — the right outfit can make the difference between photos that feel timeless and photos that feel dated the moment the trend passes. Here's what actually works for a Dublin photoshoot, whether you're shooting along the cliffs at Howth, wandering the Georgian streets, or exploring Temple Bar.

Stick to Solid Colors and Soft Tones

Busy patterns, big logos, and loud graphics pull attention away from you and toward the fabric. Solid colors and soft, muted tones photograph far better — they let your faces and expressions stay the focus, and they tend to age well in photos you'll want to keep for decades, not just a season.

Think earth tones, denim, cream, muted greens, and soft blues. These work with almost any Dublin backdrop, from the harbour at Howth to the cobblestones of Temple Bar.

Think About Where You're Shooting

Your outfit should complement your location, not compete with it. If we're shooting at Howth, lean into textures — a good coat, a scarf, layers that hold up against sea wind. If we're in the city centre against Georgian architecture, a slightly more polished look tends to suit the setting. For Wicklow's wide open landscapes, looser, flowing fabrics photograph beautifully against the scenery.

Coordinate, Don't Match

If you're shooting as a couple or family, resist the urge to wear identical outfits. Matching head-to-toe can look stiff in photos. Instead, pick a shared color palette — two or three complementary tones — and let each person wear their own version of it. It reads as put-together without looking staged.

Dress for Dublin Weather

Dublin's weather is famously changeable, sometimes within the same hour. Layers are your best friend — you can always take a jacket off for a few frames and put it back on between shots. A good coat or wrap also adds texture and shape to photos, so don't think of it as something to hide; it can be part of the outfit.

Bring a spare layer just in case. If it does rain, don't panic — some of the most striking photos come from a session that started in sun and ended in a soft Irish drizzle.

Footwear Matters More Than You Think

A lot of Dublin's best photo spots involve cobblestones, cliff paths, or grass — heels and slippery soles aren't your friend. Bring comfortable shoes for walking between locations, and if you want a specific pair in the final shots, bring those separately and swap in for a few frames.

What to Avoid

A few things that tend not to photograph well: large text or logos, very bright neon colors, and anything that competes for attention with your face. Beyond that, wear what makes you feel like yourselves — the best photos come from people who are comfortable, not from a perfectly styled outfit.

Still Not Sure What to Wear?

If you have specific questions about what to wear for your lifestyle photography session, just ask — happy to help you figure it out.

Get in touch to plan your Dublin photoshoot →

Tristan Pereña is a Dublin-based travel lifestyle and wedding photographer. He's been photographing couples and visitors in Dublin, Howth, and Wicklow since 2014. Clear pricing, easy booking, no fuss. adinfinitumphotography.com | @tristanperena