What to Wear for an Amsterdam Photoshoot
Amsterdam backdrops are red-brown brick, dark water and green trees. Here is what to wear against them, plus layers for the wind and shoes for the cobbles.
By the TulipFrame team · · 5 min read
The short answer
For an Amsterdam photoshoot, wear mid-tone or soft colours that stand out against dark brick and canal water: cream, sage, dusty blue, camel, muted rust. Avoid head-to-toe black and busy logos. Add a layer you can take off, because it is often windy on bridges, and wear shoes that cope with cobbles and bridge steps.
The Amsterdam backdrop is fairly consistent wherever you go: red-brown and near-black brick, white window frames, dark green-brown canal water and, for half the year, a lot of green leaves. Your outfit should work with that palette rather than disappear into it.
Colours that work against brick and water
Canal houses are darker than they look to the eye, especially in the shaded side streets of the Jordaan. Very dark clothing merges with them. Very bright clothing (neon, saturated red) reflects colour onto skin and pulls attention away from faces.
Colours that usually photograph well:
- Cream, ivory and oatmeal: lift you away from dark brick without the glare of pure white.
- Dusty blue, powder blue and denim: pick up the grey-blue of the sky and water.
- Sage, olive and moss green: calm, and work beautifully in the Vondelpark.
- Camel, tan and rust: warm, and they suit autumn leaves and golden-hour light.
- Soft pink or terracotta: good against the green of summer trees.
Colours to use with care:
- All black: fine in winter on a stylish solo portrait, but in a couple photo two black coats become one dark shape.
- Pure bright white: can lose detail in direct sun. Off-white is safer.
- Brick red and brown: you may blend into the houses.
- Large logos and busy small prints: they date photos and distract. Larger, simple patterns (a stripe, a gingham, a floral with space in it) are fine.
Dutch wind is part of the plan
Amsterdam is flat, near the sea, and the wind funnels along canals and across the IJ. Even on a mild day it can be noticeably breezy on an open bridge or on the ferry to NDSM.
- Long, loose hair will blow across your face. Bring a small clip or hair tie, or choose a style that tolerates movement.
- Flowing dresses look wonderful in motion, but on windy days a lighter skirt can blow up on bridges. A slip or cycling shorts underneath solve this.
- Wear a layer you can remove: a trench, blazer or knit over a lighter outfit gives you two looks and keeps you warm between frames.
- Hats need to be firm-fitting, or they will end up in the Prinsengracht.
Shoes for cobbles, bridges and tram rails
Much of the old centre is paved with clinker bricks and cobbles, with gaps that catch thin heels. Bridges have steps or steep ramps, and tram rails cross many of the busiest streets.
- Block heels, loafers, clean trainers, ankle boots: all work and still look good on camera.
- Stilettos: bring them in a bag and change for the frames where your feet show. Walk between locations in flat shoes.
- New shoes: break them in first. A typical one- or two-hour session covers 1–3 km of walking.
What to wear by season
| Season | Typical conditions | Outfit approach |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 8–18 °C, showers, wind | Light trench or denim jacket over a dress or knit; pastels and cream |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 18–25 °C, sometimes hotter, occasional downpours | Linen, cotton, light dresses; one light layer for evenings |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 8–18 °C, rain increasing | Camel coats, rust, olive, chunky knits; scarves add colour |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 1–7 °C, damp and windy | A good coat is the outfit; add a coloured scarf or hat for contrast |
More on each season in our spring, summer, autumn and winter guides.
Coordinating as a couple
Aim for the same colour family, not the same outfit. If one of you wears cream and camel, the other might wear denim and white. Keep the level of formality similar: a suit next to a hoodie looks accidental. For a proposal, the person being surprised should not suspect anything, so the planner can suggest "a nice dinner afterwards" as a reason to dress up.
Our Amsterdam couple photoshoot guide has more on poses and locations.
Coordinating as a family
- Choose three or four colours and let everyone mix them.
- Put the strongest colour on the smallest person; it draws the eye to children, which is usually what parents want.
- Avoid matching white T-shirts and jeans: against brick it looks flat.
- Bring a spare top for toddlers. The Vondelpark ducks and canal-side puddles are magnets.
See the Amsterdam family photoshoot guide for timing tips with small children.
Hair and make-up in damp, windy air
Amsterdam air is humid for much of the year, and the wind off the IJ rarely drops completely.
- Styles with some texture (loose waves, a low bun, a braid) survive better than a sleek blow-dry, which frizzes within the hour.
- Use a little more setting spray or powder than usual; cold wind brings colour to noses and cheeks, and warm days bring shine.
- Waterproof mascara is worth it. Wind makes eyes water, especially facing into it on a bridge.
- Men: a fresh haircut a few days before looks more natural than one the same morning.
Solo portraits and headshots
For a solo session, one strong colour works well: a camel coat, a cobalt knit, a rust dress. It carries the frame against a busy background of gables and bikes. For portraits with a professional use, a plain jacket in navy, grey or a soft mid-tone is safer than black, and a textured wall on a quiet side street stands in for a studio backdrop.
Glasses wearers: anti-reflective lenses help, and your photographer will angle you to avoid the sky reflecting in them.
Practical things to bring
- A small bag your photographer can keep out of the frame.
- Lip balm, a comb, blotting paper.
- A compact umbrella in a neutral colour, which can also be a prop if the weather turns.
- Tissues: canal breeze makes eyes water.
Questions
What colours look best in Amsterdam photos?
Mid-tone and soft colours: cream, dusty blue, sage, camel, rust and soft pink. They separate you from the dark brick and water without overpowering faces.
Can I wear heels for an Amsterdam photoshoot?
Block heels are fine. Thin stilettos catch in the gaps between cobbles and bricks, so carry them and change for specific frames, walking between spots in flat shoes.
Should couples match outfits?
Coordinate rather than match. Pick one colour family and a similar level of formality, and avoid both wearing the same dark colour, which makes two people read as one shape.
Can I change outfits during the shoot?
Often, yes, especially on sessions of 90 minutes or more. There are few public changing places in the centre, so the easiest change is adding or removing a layer. Ask your photographer when you book; outfit changes use up shooting time.
What should I wear if it rains?
A structured coat, such as a trench or wool coat, in a mid-tone colour, and shoes that can get wet. A clear or neutral umbrella photographs better than a branded one.
