Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Dress for the job. A tee shirt is not for the job unless your doing beach shots.

neilvonhof

A quick Google brought up some ideas: https://enviragallery.com/what-should-a-wedding-photographer-wear/

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Perhaps "Business Casual" would be a better choice for most occasions except for the most formal. Tan slacks tend to show less dirt. A buttoned blouse always presents well and a solid color of nearly any color goes with the tan slacks. You can embroider you logo on the front (I'd avoid a large logo on the back). Wear comfortable shoes of course for you never know where your feet will take you indoors and out nor how long you may be on them.

szoots

Never allow your dress to hamper your credibility or work. So as a photographer it depends on your gig. Wildlife photos would mean you need to dress for the weather and terrain. Weddings may need a suit, parties depends on what they be guests may wear (don’t over or under dress). Black long sleeve tees or collared shirts with black pants usually works almost anywhere.

Jesu S

Or a bachelor party.

PeterBergh

For a social event, the photographer should be "socially invisible", i.e., should blend in. Wear an outfit similar to what everybody else is wearing.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Hi Gang!

DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

Personally speaking, I am far from a “fashionista”- old but clean bluejeans and t-shirt fills the bill around the house, at the supermarket and when I am out and about. I generally do not judge folks based on there manner of dress. At work, as a professional photographer, I have an entirely different concept.

Firstly, when we are at events, working in public places, we are in the public eye and are representing our business. When working on location at various assignments we are on the client's turf. You and I may not be particularly judgmental people but many folks are judgmental and oftentimes FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT. In the performance of our work we need to enlist people's cooperation in order to gain access to other people and places and we ask folks to follow our direction. We must act and LOOK professional to instill confidence. Keeping theses factors in mind, here's my approach. It's all part of the sales and merchandising concept. We must make a good appearance at sales meetings, follow through when we are working with the clients and impressions count right up to the final selection of images and the final sale.

Weddings: Depending on the level of formality at each wedding, my assistants and I wear either dark business suits or black tuxedos. Oftentimes we are working in houses of worship and it is important the we show respect for the venue. A highly professional appearance helps us secure permissions and cooperation form the clergy. Believe me, we have freely worked in churches where “photographers” are consider “pariahs” with little or no restriction just based on our manner of approach. The same attitude apples to securing cooperation from staff and management when working in hotels, catering establishments and other reception venues. Of course, we want the bride and groom and their bridal party and guests to be comfortable with our appearance. The clients dedicate so much time, effort and money to put on a beautiful and stylish event so we want to fit in perfectly with the concept and not become a visually incongruous distraction. The public relations aspect of business is very important to us in that all of our wedding business comes to us by referrals from satisfied clients and by networking with other vendors in the wedding business. We have not advertised for wedding photography for over 10 years and still have a full calendar.

Here's a tip for comfort. A little known fact is that woman's suiting fabrics are much lighter than men's suiting material. So, I have my suits made of the latter in black tropical worsted fabric. This materiel has a thermal action that maintains body temperature. I can work, out of doors and in churches without air conditioning in 90° summer temperatures in relative comfort. While I am at it, at the tailor shop, I have the pockets made larger and reinforced for gear. This is not an overly expensive venture- I go to the chain men's shop like Moors and they just order up the material. Besides, I write all of this off as business expenses. I have black shoes that are made like runners but look dressy. We do have a small logo, kind of a coat of arms, embroidered on the handkerchief pockets of the jackets. The ladies on staff dress in a similar manner.

Executive Portraits: We are frequently called in to do executive portraits and PR evens by out corporate clients. Now, this is not a matter of ego, however, many upper echelon executives have egos the size of their office buildings. Many of the top folks are nice guys and gals but some are virtual “dictators” If we are perceived as “middle management” or someone “lower on the totem pole” we might not receive the time and cooperation necessary to do out work properly. I want to approach theses folks on their own level and perceived as the “boss” of MY business. Once we cut through the egos, everything will rock 'n' roll easily! So business suits, white shirt and neckties are the order of the day.

Our city is the Canada's Nation Capitol so we get our share of government assignments- portraits and events. The “middle management” government guys wear blazers and gray slacks, the supervisors, Members of Parliament and cabinet ministers wear suits- so we wear SUITS! At events, many of the press photographers kinda dress down and get corralled in cordoned off areas while we usually get run of the place- sound nuts but it works!

Industrial Work: Sometimes we get to work in pretty dirty and messy places- construction sites, steel mills and lumber operations. The “uniform” there is cargo pants and t-shirts- sometimes protective jackets. The trouser have great pocket for some of the gear so we don't need to lug around too many camera bags. In “hardhat” areas we have WHITE ones that indicate “management”. On food shoots in hotel kitchens, commissaries and manufacturing kitchens the same outfit but we bring our own aprons.

We do have some T-Shirts and ball caps which we reserve for sporting events and some concerts- usually fund raiser where we donate our services.

In the studio, we are on our own turf and mostly, the dress “code” is more casual. We are still meet the public so we want things to look professional and business-like. We stay more on the conservative side with muted or darker colors in that we want the images on display to stand out above all. On in-studio commercial and the occasional fashion session, casual dress usually works well. If the art director, stylists or agency account reps are on site, they usually dress comfortably.

As I first mentioned, I am not a “fashionista” and I certainly don't want to tell photographers how to dress. I can only explain my approach and what works in our town and sits well with the clients. Of course, at the end of the day, we are judged on the quality of our work and service but we need the good impressions and public relations to facilitate the process. We are IMAGE makers and we have to present a good image of ourselves and our businesses.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Unless you are the Grim Reaper of course!

An anecdote.

My wife was once the officiant for a friend's wedding, in southern California, with the ceremony being performed in the open air, in a gazebo. The female photog was dressed to blend in, like the other wedding guests. While my wife was going through the vows, the bride and groom started bursting out in fits of giggles while trying to suppress them. My wife, trying to keep her composure was thinking 'WTF'? Has a bird just crapped on my hat or what?

A little while later the situation was described. The photog, wanting to get face shots of the bride and groom, had hiked up her skirt and was duck walking through the undergrowth in her high heels to get into position behind my wife, in full view of the bride and groom.

Since many of the guests were dancers, a certain amount of performances then happened, including one by my wife. One of the wedding guests came up to her and said, "Whatever persuaded a talented and attractive woman like you to join the ministry?" Of course, she isn't, but is authorized to perform legal marriages through the Universal Life Church.

However, back to the topic, the photog dressed to fit in, and did a great job.

My observation is that as photographer, you are an 'official observer'. Blending in makes the job easier to do.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

An excellent piece of advice, Sir. Perhaps some of us have something to learn from Canada!

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

It is just common sense. My rule years ago with a production company and graphics studio wear what the client wears. Certainly a suit and ortux for a wedding would be appropriate. Out of respect. During my corp. show days with sets and shows for business and entertainment my guys wore theatrical blacks. If it is casual I now live in FL
so a really nice plain T shirt is cool. Cargo pants are useful for sports event lots of pockets. I am sure we are all capable of answering this question.