When preparing for a portrait session, most people think about their hairstyle, makeup, and clothing—but one often-overlooked detail can help your final image be their very best: the patterns on your clothing.
The Moiré effect is a visual distortion that can detract from otherwise perfect portrait. Understanding how it works, and how to avoid it, can help you look your absolute best in your portraits.
What Is the Moiré Effect?
The Moiré effect is a strange, distracting pattern that sometimes shows up in digital photos. It typically happens when fine, repeating patterns—like tight stripes, tiny checks, or detailed textures—interact with the grid of pixels in a camera’s sensor.
In your final image, this might show up as unexpected waves, swirls, or interference lines that aren’t actually on your clothing in real life. And the worst part? Moiré is often very difficult, or even impossible, to remove during retouching.
Why Does the Moiré Effect Happen?
Digital cameras are made up of millions of tiny pixels arranged in a grid. Certain fabrics and patterns (like pinstripes or herringbone) are also arranged in fine, repeating grids. When those two grids don’t align perfectly, they interfere with each other—and that creates the Moiré effect.
What to Wear (and Not Wear) for a Portrait
Avoid Wearing:
- Narrow contrasting stripes
- Tight plaids or tiny checks
- High-contrast, high-frequency patterns
To avoid the Moiré effect and get clean, professional photos, here are a few simple wardrobe tips:
- Best Clothing Choices for Headshots:
- Solid colors
- Soft, textured fabrics like cotton, wool, or knits
- Subtle patterns or larger, non-repeating designs
Pro Tip: Bring Options
Not sure if your outfit will photograph well? Bring a couple of wardrobe choices to your shoot. A good photographer will help you pick what looks best on camera and guide you away from any patterns that may cause issues.
Final Thoughts: How to Look Your Best in a Headshot
Looking great in a headshot isn’t just about your expression or the lighting—it’s also about what you wear. Avoiding Moiré-inducing patterns ensures your photos stay clean, flattering, and distraction-free.
Here’s the bottom line:
✅ The right wardrobe = better photos
✅ No weird patterns = less retouching
✅ You look your best = we all win
Ready for Your Headshot?
If you’re booking a headshot session and want help choosing what to wear, I’m happy to offer suggestions. The goal is simple: help you look confident, professional, and timeless in your photos.
Got questions? Feel free to reach out before your session!
