The selection of proper clothing for your portrait is critical in the preparation for the successful portrait. If the clothing is noticeable in a portrait, it could easily become a distraction. Clothing that does not attract attention to itself is the ultimate goal. It could be the difference between a very successful portrait and just another picture.
Here are some guidelines to consider:
* Make sure you’re comfortable in your clothing and that it flatters you. This will ensure that you like how you look when viewing your photos.
* Avoid stripes and plaid. Darker, solid colors photograph much better than busy patterns. Colors like white, yellow, and pink tend to over-power the face. In general, the best colors are medium to darker shades of blue, green, burgundy, and rust.
* Dark colors tend to slenderize the subject. Light colors seem to add weight to the bodies.
* Lay out all the clothing onto a bed. Then, take a careful look at the collection. If your eye goes to any one item in particular, you can be certain that the same thing will happen in a photograph. That item should be changed.
* Clothing below the waistline should be darker than above. Otherwise, attention will be attracted to the lower part of the body and away from the face.
* Groups should dress in the same color tone, preferably darker tones of the same color.
* If you have a lighter skin tone, you should avoid red. Yellow should be avoided for darker skin tones. All skin types should avoid orange.
Women
-If you’re self-conscious about your arms, avoid sleeveless or cap-sleeve shirts and tank tops, as they tend to make arms look fuller.
-Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual.
-If you’re comfortable in dresses, bring them! They photograph really well and offer a nice variety from your other casual clothing choices. We can mix dressy and casual dresses for some great looks.
Men
-Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual.
-Bring black and/or dark gray t-shirts to wear under other shirts. White undershirts stick out and photograph poorly.
-Avoid t-shirts with large graphics or logos. They distract from the main subject, which is you.