As a Denver wedding and portrait photographer, I’ve always been drawn to true-to-color photography. I believe that capturing authentic, real moments with natural hues creates timeless images. But, when it came to my own wardrobe, I found myself stuck in a rut–dressing in dark tones, especially gray and black. Like many photographers, I wore black to avoid casting unwanted color reflections on my subjects.
Over time, however, my work colors spilled into my personal choices, making my clothing feel heavy and uninspired. Maybe I had a case of the winter blues, or something deeper. I knew I needed a change.
That’s when I discovered the magic of color analysis, realizing how powerful it could be not just in my daily life but in helping clients feel their best in front of the camera.
A few fabric drapes that show off my true warm autumn color palette. I’m thrilled to have finally found the right shade of red.
Photos by Megan Haynes.
A Personal Color Revelation
Enter Megan Haynes, a color consultant in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over six years of experience and more than 600 clients, Megan has guided her clients through the 12 Season Color Analysis method to uncover their best colors. Her goal? To help people look and feel their most confident selves. From the moment I sat down with Megan, I knew I was in for an eye-opening adventure.
Like many, I had incorrectly identified my season based on the popular book Color Me Beautiful. However, as Megan draped me in different hues, it became clear, I wasn’t a Winter at all! Instead, I was guided toward my true warm autumn season match, and suddenly, the colors that made me feel dull were replaced with shades that made me glow.
My consultation included these key areas:
- A deep dive into my best colors to enhance a youthful, fresh, and radiant look.
- Personalized hair color recommendations that worked with my undertones.
- Custom digital and printed color palettes featuring 40 of my best shades.
- Clean, natural makeup suggestions for my season.
- Email tips on how to integrate my new colors into my wardrobe (without going broke!)
- And best of all, a newfound radiance and confidence in how I present myself.
Why Color Analysis for Wedding and Portrait Photography Matters
Ultimately, this journey not only transformed my personal style, it reshaped how I approach my sessions and deepened my understanding of color analysis for wedding and portrait photography. Whether you’re a bride choosing the perfect white gown, or planning outfits and accessories for a portrait session, understanding your best colors can make a world of difference in how you appear in photos.
For Wedding Photography
Weddings are full of carefully chosen details, from attire to decor. One often overlooked aspect is how clothing colors interact with a person’s natural tones. Many assume that white is a one-size-fits-all wedding choice, but the reality is actually more nuanced. Whites range from warm and cool to ivory, champagne, and beyond. Selecting the right shade that complements your skin tone can elevate your entire wedding look.
Likewise, this goes not only for brides but anyone stepping into a wedding ensemble. Whether a suit, dress, jumpsuit, or another outfit, choosing a color that harmonizes with your natural undertones creates a more radiant you in your photos. The same applies to makeup–using shades aligned with your season ensures a fresh, polished, vibrant look vs one that clashes or washes you out.
For Portrait & Event Photography
If you ever looked at a photo of yourself and thought, “something feels off,” it might be the colors you’re wearing. The right hues make your eyes pop, enhance your skin tone, and create a harmonious, balanced look. Whether it’s an engagement session, a mitzvah celebration, a milestone birthday, or a family portrait, wearing colors that align with your season will result in images where you look your absolute best.
Planning a mitzvah or milestone event? Color analysis can be helpful not just for the guest of honor, but also for family members who will be in portraits throughout the day.
When clients ask for outfit advice before a session, I now have a newfound appreciation for guiding them to someone like Megan or steering them toward potential shades.
Coordinating Opposing Seasons
You might be wondering, well that’s great, but my partner and I don’t share any colors between us that make us look great. What can we do for our wedding or portrait session? To give you a visual example, consider the color palettes above. A cool true winter has blue-based colors and a warm true autumn has warmer yellow tones. In situations like this, try these tips:
Find Common Ground
Look for overlapping or neutral colors that flatter both seasons. For instance, certain shades of teal can be universally appealing. Opting for these shared hues can create a more cohesive appearance.
Embrace Neutrals
Incorporate you and your partner’s individual neutral tones in beige, gray, navy or white. Pair these with accents from your respective seasons to allow both of you to shine while maintaining a unified look.
Coordinate, Don’t Match
Instead of wearing identical colors, select shades that complement each other. For example, if one person wears a warm-toned outfit, the other might choose a cooler shade that harmonizes well.
Embrace your Colors
In the end, my color analysis experience went beyond a wardrobe refresh and felt more like a mindset shift. Rather than hide in dark, uninspiring colors, I embrace shades that make me feel more energized, confident, and authentically me.
For my clients, I encourage anyone planning a wedding or scheduling a portrait session, to explore color analysis. Consultants like Megan Haynes make for an incredible resource. She makes the journey fun, inspiring, and even life-changing. Not only will you gain clarity on your best hues, but you’ll feel more confident stepping in front of the camera. And that confidence? It truly shines in photos.
Ready to discover the colors that make you glow? Check out this article: Planning Your Wedding Around Your Color Season or reach out to Megan to explore the 12 Season method. You might be surprised at what you find. It’s one of the most unexpectedly helpful tools I’ve come across, and I truly believe that color analysis for wedding and portrait photography is worth exploring.
color analysis for wedding and portrait photography
Questions Answered
By Megan Haynes
When it comes to wedding style, choosing colors that flatter you (and photograph well) can make a big difference—especially with the investment that comes with a dress.
I asked Megan to weigh in on a few key questions to help you navigate it all with more confidence.
A huge thanks to her for sharing her time and expertise!
Megan Haynes is a Fort Collins-based color analyst who’s helped over 600 people find the shades that truly suit them. She uses the 12-Season Color Analysis Method to pinpoint the best colors for your wardrobe, hair, and makeup, with the goal of helping you feel like the most confident version of yourself.
Photos courtesy of Megan Haynes.
How can couples with different color seasons find harmonY?
This is such a great question—and one I’ve personally had to figure out! My own family of four is made up of four different color seasons (my husband is a Warm Autumn, my daughter is a Bright Spring, my son is a Light Summer, and I’m a Light Spring). For our family photos, I found balance by having two of us wear neutrals from our palettes while the other two wore greens that suited their seasons. It created harmony and balance without feeling forced.
Once you know your best colors, it’s really hard to unsee it—it changes the way you approach outfits, especially for big moments like photos or weddings.
What does a wedding color consultation include?
A color consult is all about finding the colors that make you look fresh, glowing, and radiant—exactly what every bride wants on their big day!
During a consultation, we’ll cover:
- Your best colors and of course your best white—so you know which shades enhance your natural beauty.
- Hair color recommendations—to ensure your hair is working with you, not against you.
- Makeup shades—so your wedding day makeup enhances your features naturally.
Additionally, many brides send photos of dresses they’re considering. I’m always happy to take a look and help them decide which shades align best with their season. The right white (or color) for your dress makes all the difference
How Do You Choose colorS that flatter everyone in the wedding party?
It’s your day, so the most important thing is choosing a color palette that feels like you.
That said, I love the idea of using one of the couple’s personal color palettes as inspiration. If the bride loves her colors, it makes everything so much easier—dresses, flowers, décor, and even wedding party attire can naturally align with her best shades.
Is there a white for everyone?
Absolutely! There is a perfect white for every season, and knowing which one is yours makes a huge difference. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Spring: Ivory (warm, with a hint of yellow)
Autumn: Eggshell (matte, rich, warm)
Summer: Soft White (delicate, slightly cool)
Winter: Bright White (crisp, pure, and high contrast)
How can you tell when you’ve found your perfect dress color?
Here’s some tips to make sure your dress harmonizes with YOU:
Start with options
Ask the bridal boutique for four different shades of white to try (see above for seasonal whites). Having a variety will help you compare.
Test in natural light
Bring trusted friends or family, try on different whites, and take plenty of photos—preferably near a store window with natural light. Lighting can make all the difference!
Look for these signs
- Does the color enhance your skin, hair, and eyes?
- Do you look naturally radiant, or does something feel “off”
- Does it harmonize with your features, or does it seem to clash?
The right dress will feel like it was made for you. If it blends effortlessly with your natural coloring and makes you glow—congratulations, you’ve found the one! 💍
