Provence offers a magical backdrop for your photo session. Golden light, lavender fields, olive groves, charming hilltop villages… every corner invites authenticity and poetry. But one question always comes up: “What should we wear to make our photos look timeless and harmonious?” Here’s a complete guide to help you make the right choices—with style and confidence.
Let the location inspire your outfits
Your outfit should complement your surroundings. In Provence, the scenery is often natural, luminous, and rich in texture: golden stone, Mediterranean vegetation, and warm sunset light.
🎨 Ideal Color Palette:
- Soft neutrals: beige, ivory, off-white, sand, light grey
- Earthy tones: terracotta, ochre, rust, mustard, olive green
- Natural pastels: dusty pink, lavender, sky blue, sage green
- Avoid loud colors like neon, bright red, or fuchsia.
- Say no to black or overly dark colors—they absorb light and can appear heavy or sad.
Ever heard of the color wheel? It’s a practical tool to find complementary, monochromatic, or analogous color combinations that work beautifully with your photoshoot setting.
Pro tip: Choose a palette of 3–4 complementary colors to share across your outfits, without matching exactly.
Coordinate without matching
A common mistake is trying to look “identical.” The goal isn’t to wear the same thing but to create visual harmony.
Families: Pick one dominant hue (like soft blue) and vary it through shades and textures across everyone’s outfit.
Couples: Balance your styles. One of you might wear a beige linen shirt, the other a soft pink flowing dress.
Samantha V.
Marie helped us create the ‘souvenir of a lifetime’! I was planning a special trip from the U.S. to Paris & Provence for our 15th wedding anniversary. I thought it could be fun to capture the trip in photos but quickly wrote it off as a crazy idea because I didn’t know where to start planning!
Luckily, I found Marie. Her work and style captured everything I was hoping for. She put me at ease, was great to communicate with, asked the right questions to make sure we had the same vision, and identified the perfect spots and itinerary for our shoot together. She was a natural with my kids and just made everything so fun and easy. She artfully produced so many great photographs. I’ll hold them dear for the rest of my life!
Opt for natural textures
Texture brings your photos to life. In Provence’s organic settings, natural fabrics pair perfectly with the warm and inviting atmosphere.
🧵 Recommended Fabrics:
- Linen: Light, breezy, and naturally crinkled—ideal for a boho-chic look
- Cotton: Soft and versatile
- Light wool or double gauze for spring or fall
- Lace, crochet, or broderie anglaise for a romantic touch
- Light denim in small doses for a country vibe
Avoid visually distracting elements
🚫 Logos, visible branding, and slogans: A giant brand name or slogan steals attention. Your expressions, your connection—that’s what we want the camera to highlight.
✅ Choose plain garments or subtle details without prominent branding.
🚫 Busy prints and harsh patterns: Stripes, checks, or geometric prints can create strange visual effects and fatigue the viewer’s eye—especially when multiple people wear different patterns.
✅ Opt for solid colors, light floral prints, small dots, or textured fabrics instead.
🚫 Flashy or clashing colors: Bright pink or red can overpower the shot. Provence’s soft light and earthy tones don't blend well with jarring colors.
✅ Choose gentle, muted, or nature-inspired shades like olive, ochre, dusty mauve, or sky blue.
🚫 Shiny or reflective fabrics: Satin, polyester, and nylon often catch light in unflattering ways.
✅ Stick to matte, breathable materials like linen, cotton gauze, or light wool.
🚫 Trendy or overly styled pieces: Today’s fashion trends can quickly become outdated.
✅ Go for timeless, comfortable, and elegant pieces you’ll still love in 10 years.
Feel comfortable in what you wear
Your photo session is about connection and fun. If you're not comfortable, it will show. The same goes for kids—if they’re itching to get out of their outfit, they won’t be their happy, natural selves.
👠 Walking in nature or on cobblestones with heels? Not ideal. But you can bring flat shoes for walking and switch to heels just before the photos.
✔️ Make sure your clothes:
- Aren’t too tight or too baggy
- Don’t slide off or require constant adjusting
- Don’t restrict your movements (walking, sitting, holding your child)
- For kids: bring a backup outfit, just in case
Flatter your shape naturally
The goal isn’t to look perfect—it’s to feel good and shine authentically. Here’s how:
- Flowy cuts cinched at the waist are flattering on most body types
- Midi or maxi dresses in soft fabrics work beautifully
- Open-collar blouses and shirts enhance your neckline
- Avoid stiff or overly tight garments
Use accessories wisely
👒 Accessories add style and personality—if chosen subtly:
- Straw hats—chic and discreet
- Light scarves—tied or flowing
- Delicate jewelry—nothing too sparkly or distracting
- Suspenders, bow ties, slim knit vests for layering
We had an incredible time shooting with Marie. From selecting the date and location to receiving the breathtaking photos, everything went smoothly. Marie is not only talented but also warm and kind. She helped us choose our outfits prior to the shoot and effortlessly cheered up our grumpy 3-year-old son at the start of the shoot. The photos were delivered promptly and far exceeded all our expectations. I wouldn’t hesitate to book a photo shoot with Marie again.
Dress for the season
🌸 Spring: Soft light + pastel tones = perfect match. Go for light fabrics like linen or cotton.
☀️ Summer: Keep it airy. Sleeveless or short sleeves, breathable textures, and light colors.
🍂 Autumn: Embrace deep, warm tones (mustard, rust, forest green). Layer up with style.
❄️ Winter: Warm up with wool, cashmere, or corduroy. Stay soft in your palette to contrast with winter skies. Think thermal tights or undershirts, chic coats, and gloves you can remove at the last minute.
Where to shop for the perfect outfit in Provence
🛍️ Around Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, here are some shops offering beautiful, natural, and timeless wardrobe options:
✨ High-end & timeless:
- Ralph Lauren, The Kooples, Maje, Ba&sh, Sandro, Zadig & Voltaire
- Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Calvin Klein
- Available at Galeries Lafayette (Cap Sud Avignon) and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Provence (Miramas)
🏬 Chain stores:
- Zara, Monoprix (often carry linen, cotton, and soft-toned seasonal pieces)
💸 Budget-friendly:
- H&M, C&A, Kiabi, Promod, Etam
👶 For kids:
- Orchestra, Okaïdi, Vertbaudet, Petit Bateau, Jacadi, Cyrillus, Zara Kids
🌐 Online:
- Sézane, Balzac Paris, La Redoute (natural materials, beautiful basics)
What I truly aim to capture is your connection, your emotions, your natural essence. The right outfit should enhance who you are, not hide you. Trust your instincts, embrace simplicity, and let the magic unfold.
I hope these tips help you feel confident and radiant during your session. And if you have any questions—just reach out!