Family Portrait
Clothing Suggestions
Choose clothing for your family that everyone is comfortable in. The clothes you wear help set the mood for the portrait, and should complement the location you choose, as well as the décor of your home where your portrait will be displayed. Formal settings call for dressier clothes than a woodsy setting.
You can choose old favorites or shop for a new wardrobe especially for your portrait. We’re happy to help you choose during your initial consultation, or by phone anytime.
Colors
It's best if the colors are complementary, or choose to have everyone wear the same color for a more uniform look. Avoid having one person’s clothing stand out from everyone else. Your faces should be most important in your portrait, not your clothing. Solid mid-range colors generally photograph best and don’t distract from your faces. Black recedes and slims. White can dominate and make everyone look heavier. Avoid patterns, large or small, as they look "busy." Think about where your portrait will hang in your home and choose colors that complement the other furnishings in the room.
Knees and Feet
Knees show when seated, so women and girls need to consider skirt or dress length. Shoes and socks show in full-length portraits, so bring appropriate shoes. Flip flops are usually too casual for any outfit. Bare feet are often a good choice for casual portraits.
Grooming
You want to look your best, so pay a little extra attention to your grooming before your portrait session. If anyone needs a fresh haircut, have it done about a week ahead. Facial shine is extremely detrimental to a great portrait. If your skin is oily, shiny, or perspires heavily, you should dust it lightly with cosmetic powder. This goes for men, too.
Men, if you have an afternoon appointment and a heavy beard, you may want to shave mid-day to avoid the “five o’clock shadow” look. If you wear a beard or mustache, they should be neatly trimmed.
Women should wear your normal makeup and lipstick. Even if you prefer a natural look, a good foundation can smooth out skin tones, and a little lipstick and mascara can bring out your features. You may want to apply your makeup slightly heavier than normal and add some color to your cheeks and lips to enhance your appearance and help minimize any imperfections.
Children don’t need makeup and shouldn’t wear any. We can retouch typical teenage zits and other blemishes. Avoid large or bright hair bows or headbands on little girls.
Eyeglasses
If you normally wear glasses, they should be part of your portrait. We control the reflections to the best of our ability by adjusting your pose, but sometimes it’s impossible to completely eliminate glasses glare. If you have thick lenses or have had severe reflection problems in the past, you may want to ask your optometrist to loan you a frame with no lenses for your portrait.