Clothing Suggestions
Your portrait will be superb because of your careful planning!
PORTRAIT PRINCIPAL:
The subjects skin tone should be either the lightest or darkest tone in the portrait. The viewers attention then goes to the faces first. If you have a light tone background then you also want light colored clothing, or if you are working with a dark tone background you are going to want dark colored clothing.
Remember the objective of this portrait. . . a beautiful, sensitive portrait, which shows the relationship and personalities of each person in the portrait. For this reason, keep the clothing very subtle - but be careful, so as not to dress anyone in an outfit that is not an expression of their personality, or that they do not want to wear. What you want to avoid is having any one person “jump” out of the portrait because he or she is dressed in a lighter or brighter outfit than everyone else. Work for balance, harmony, and color coordination. If you have any question at all, please call us.
Try to coordinate colors in complimentary or similar shades. A nice effect can be created by having most of the group in one shade and a few in accent colors. Think of a sofa that is decorated with throw pillows in accent colors.
Solid colors only. Stay away from bold patterns, stripes, plaids, etc. After all we want to see you, not the clothes. You help to create the mood of the portrait with the style of clothing selected - from blue jeans to tuxedo.
Some poses will be full length so we ask that you dress all the way down to the shoes.
BEACH PORTRAITS
STUDIO (with light colored background)
HOME (if you have light colored walls)
We suggest white or light pastel clothing, light shoes or outdoors, bare feet are appropriate. Casual clothing is suggested outdoors because many of the poses are sitting or lying in the sand. Everyone should be in the same family of colors so that they blend with each other.
We want to cover as much skin as possible. We prefer long sleeve shirts and long pants or skirts. The skin of arms and legs is distracting in a fine portrait.
* 1st Choice! ALL WHITE: Every one in all white, belts and shoes included. The best choice - it looks classy!
* 2nd Choice! ALL WHITE SHIRTS AND KHAKI SLACKS OR SKIRTS: Every one in all white and khaki. If your belt is not light in tone, then don’t wear a belt. A great choice - it looks classy!
3rd Choice! ALL WHITE SHIRTS AND LIGHT BLUE JEANS SLACKS OR SKIRTS: Every one in all white and light blue jeans. A good choice - it looks nice and casual!
Other Choices
* FAMILY OF BROWNS: Light brown, beige, warm gray and off white. Other possibilities -tan, peach, pink, mauve , pale yellow, & light rust.
* FAMILY OF BLUES: Light blue, gray, & white.
Other possibilities - blue-gray, off-white, lavender, cranberry, pink, & beige.
* FAMILY OF REDS: Pink, gray, cranberry, & rose.
Other possibilities - lavender, plum, beige, & off white.
Do not use pure red. It is the strongest color and draws more attention than any other color.
PARK PORTRAITS
STUDIO (with dark colored background)
HOME (if you have dark colored walls)
We suggest middle to dark tone clothing, dark shoes are appropriate. Casual clothing is suggested outdoors because many of the poses are sitting or lying in the grass. Long sleeves are preferable with darker clothing. Bare arms are uncomplimentary in photographs. Deep cool colors will make you look thinner, light colors make you look heavier. Everyone should be in the same family of colors so that they blend with each other.
* FAMILY OF BROWNS: dark brown, warm gray, rose, burgundy.
Other possibilities - maroon & rust.
* FAMILY OF BLUES: dark blue, cool gray, & navy
Other possibilities - purple, dark green
* BLACK: every one in all black, belts and shoes included.
