Tips For Portraits
Tips for a Sucessful Portrait Shoot
What to Wear
Simple clothing is best. Avoid wearing patterns or logos in order to keep the focus of the portrait on the subject's face. Simple clothing will also enhance the timeless look of your portraits and keep them from looking "dated." Clothing choices that photograph well include denim, khakis and solid colors. Bare feet are always welcomed and encouraged!
Babies (up to 1 year of age) look adorable wearing just a nappy.
Clothes, Colors & Shoes: When it comes to colors in general, try to dress everyone in a similar color, psychologists say it shows "closeness". Feel free to bring by a couple of tops if you are not sure which will photograph best. Try and avoid large areas of light pastels, bold stripes, bold patterns, or anything that is too distracting, a subtle pattern is fine. Also avoid short sleeves; upper arms always tend to photograph wider than they are in real life. Keep in mind that dark colors are "slimming". If we are just doing waist up portraits don't worry about your shoes. Keep jewelry simple, a conservative look is always a safe choice.
Coordinating Clothes: The night before your portrait try laying out all the clothes the family will wear on the bed, ask yourself if the clothes match or if there is something that just doesn't belong or is too distracting.
Hands: Ladies hands are often included in portraits, they add femininity and elegance. Having your nails done is important.
Makeup: Remember to bring along some makeup (lipstick and powder) for touch ups.
Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.
Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.
To look SLIMMER try these:
Darker or Solid Colors. Consider Olive, Black, Navy, Grey, Plum , Dark Brown, Burgundy, or Purple.
One color (monochromatic) head to toe is slimming.
Consider vertical pleats, V necks or a long chain.
Instant flatter stomach: try trousers with a flat front. No drawstrings, pockets, zips, or decorations.
No pockets! avoid a lot or bulky pockets that draw attention to the waist area.
Dark, Dull, Cool colors recede (slim), warm colors advance (widen)
Use eye catching, shiny jewelry or objects to avert attention away from problem areas.
Consider A Line Skirts, collared blazers and blouses.
Single breasted jackets.
Consider heels for your full length portraits.
A long neckline draws attention from other areas.
Good posture is always primary.
Wear your proper size. You'll look slimmer in clothes that fit properly rather than clothes that are too tight, or clingy or baggy.
REMEMBER:
Lighter colors (white, most pastels etc) make you look heavier,
Bold patterns, plaids, shiny fabrics, heavy fabrics make you look heavier,
Short sleeves make upper arms look wider.
Do not draw additional attention to the waist area so avoid any horizontal dividing lines, like belts or a different color.
Horizontal lines make you look heavier avoid belts and wide collars or wide lapels.
Double breasted jackets or blazers add weight.
AND MOST OF ALL - HAVE FUN!
Simple clothing is best. Avoid wearing patterns or logos in order to keep the focus of the portrait on the subject's face. Simple clothing will also enhance the timeless look of your portraits and keep them from looking "dated." Clothing choices that photograph well include denim, khakis and solid colors. Bare feet are always welcomed and encouraged!
Babies (up to 1 year of age) look adorable wearing just a nappy.
Clothes, Colors & Shoes: When it comes to colors in general, try to dress everyone in a similar color, psychologists say it shows "closeness". Feel free to bring by a couple of tops if you are not sure which will photograph best. Try and avoid large areas of light pastels, bold stripes, bold patterns, or anything that is too distracting, a subtle pattern is fine. Also avoid short sleeves; upper arms always tend to photograph wider than they are in real life. Keep in mind that dark colors are "slimming". If we are just doing waist up portraits don't worry about your shoes. Keep jewelry simple, a conservative look is always a safe choice.
Coordinating Clothes: The night before your portrait try laying out all the clothes the family will wear on the bed, ask yourself if the clothes match or if there is something that just doesn't belong or is too distracting.
Hands: Ladies hands are often included in portraits, they add femininity and elegance. Having your nails done is important.
Makeup: Remember to bring along some makeup (lipstick and powder) for touch ups.
Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.
Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.
To look SLIMMER try these:
Darker or Solid Colors. Consider Olive, Black, Navy, Grey, Plum , Dark Brown, Burgundy, or Purple.
One color (monochromatic) head to toe is slimming.
Consider vertical pleats, V necks or a long chain.
Instant flatter stomach: try trousers with a flat front. No drawstrings, pockets, zips, or decorations.
No pockets! avoid a lot or bulky pockets that draw attention to the waist area.
Dark, Dull, Cool colors recede (slim), warm colors advance (widen)
Use eye catching, shiny jewelry or objects to avert attention away from problem areas.
Consider A Line Skirts, collared blazers and blouses.
Single breasted jackets.
Consider heels for your full length portraits.
A long neckline draws attention from other areas.
Good posture is always primary.
Wear your proper size. You'll look slimmer in clothes that fit properly rather than clothes that are too tight, or clingy or baggy.
REMEMBER:
Lighter colors (white, most pastels etc) make you look heavier,
Bold patterns, plaids, shiny fabrics, heavy fabrics make you look heavier,
Short sleeves make upper arms look wider.
Do not draw additional attention to the waist area so avoid any horizontal dividing lines, like belts or a different color.
Horizontal lines make you look heavier avoid belts and wide collars or wide lapels.
Double breasted jackets or blazers add weight.
AND MOST OF ALL - HAVE FUN!