STYLE BY SOKOLOFF’s Five Styling Tips for a Successful Shoot

My name is Jake Sokoloff and I am the founder of STYLE BY SOKOLOFF in New York City. I have been working as a stylist for several years (many with MurphyMade!), and as an actor and performer for even longer. As a stylist, I use my background in the theater to bring a heightened narrative scope to every look and image I create. Throughout my career I have had extensive experience in front of the camera as an actor styling myself, and behind the scenes as a stylist for other actors. Whether you are working with a stylist or decide to style yourself, there are some foundational elements that are vital to the success of any photoshoot.

Ephraim Sykes for Broadway.com

Style x Essentials

Just as a plumber never shows up to a job without their plunger, you should never show up to a shoot without your own toolbox, or in this case, a rolling suitcase. These items are simple, but essential, and can make or break your shoot.

Steamer
A portable steamer is a game changer. Some studios are already equipped with their own steamer, so always check in with your photographer beforehand. In order to maximize time spent shooting, you should steam your pieces the night before and pack them in an organized fashion, so that only minimal touch ups are necessary on the day of the shoot. The last thing you want is a beautiful photo with distracting wrinkled clothing.

Lint Roller
A lint roller helps remove lint or any excess fuzz that winds up on your clothing. You can pick one up at your local convenience store, or scotch tape can work in a pinch. It is important to pay attention to these kinds of small details because most of the time they are the most tedious to retouch out of an image.

Undergarments
What you wear underneath is just as important as what you wear on top. Basic color undergarments (black, white, tan) are important because they act as a neutral base and can work seamlessly under almost any piece you wear. Often the best underwear choice is a simple thong for women, and form-fitting briefs for men. A bra with adjustable and removal straps should also be a staple in any female underwear drawer, and is a must-have on set.

Pins and Clips
Pins or clips can be helpful in ensuring that pieces look fitted and lay correctly on your body. Safety pins of all sizes are useful, but can cause holes in some fabrics. To avoid that, sometimes turning to more unconventional ideas, such as binder clips or even chip clips, gets the job done.

Renee Rapp

Style x Story

They say a picture is worth a thousand words (and sometimes nearly a thousand dollars). To get the most out of your investment, get as clear as possible about the stories you want to tell with these photos. Define who you are as a performer. Think about why you are doing the shoot, the traits you want to portray, and what you want to get out of it. Identify and articulate your most authentic self, and what makes you stand out, and let this inform your styling choices. Distinguish your most marketable core characteristics and “character types” and build looks that embody them. Create a mood board or collection of inspiration images that helps you express these ideas, and communicate them to the photographer prior to the shoot. Hiring a stylist can be incredibly helpful here to help hone your creative ideas and make them a reality.

Style x Options

The amount of options you bring to the shoot is a delicate balance. Options can be your friend, but too many options can be overwhelming. As you put looks together, be sure to sort and streamline your ideas. Prioritize the looks that you feel strongest about. A stylist can be a worthy and valuable investment in helping to accelerate this process. Being able to seamlessly transition through your preexisting looks will maximize your time on set. Once you have done this first step, choose some additional options that can be used as back up pieces. You never know what could happen, or how you may be feeling on the day of your shoot, so alternates are key. These should be pieces that can be inserted into any of your looks and can serve any one of the stories you want to tell. Last but certainly not least are accessories. Accessories can be easily overlooked or forgotten when styling a shoot, but are powerful and important because they are the details that can really pull a look together. In the end, you want to be prepared and ready for anything, in a way that is thoughtful and organized.

Jordan Craig

Style x Fit

Don’t let the clothes wear you. Cater to your strengths, and the parts of your body that you feel most comfortable with. Find pieces that fit your body type properly by accentuating and complimenting your best features. It should feel like you are wearing your favorite pair of jeans, or your go-to date night top - pieces you know you can rely on. If something is too tight or too loose, it will be reflected in the image. The way that clothing fits your body directly affects how you feel, and feeling comfortable and confident is vital to the success of any shoot.

Mars Rucker for Broadway.com

Style x Statement

This is your shoot. Step out of the box and get bold with your styling choices. Long gone are the days of safe jewel tones and neutral character shoes. Push the boundaries, because the boundaries do not exist anymore. Using simple tools like layering or mixing textures and materials can take your images from boring to beguiling. Use color and pattern to your advantage by choosing pieces that will pop against backdrops and stand out in images. Your style is an outward manifestation of your personality, so have fun and use the styling to express yourself.

On set with makeup artist Rachel Estabrook and actress Renee Rapp