A Guide to Clothing Selection
Put simply, the selection of clothing will either "make or break" your finished portrait. No matter how beautiful the lighting or sincere the smiles, the wrong clothing will ruin the portrait. Here are a few ideas and guidelines:
Keep it simple. Really! We recommend simple, classic clothing that does not attract attention. We want the focus of the photo to be YOU.
For outdoor portraits, simple, long-sleeved shirts in medium and dark tones are usually most effective. Denim, chambray, khaki, and solid color knits photograph well. Items to avoid at all costs are bold prints, stripes, and logos which can be distracting. Although it's not an absolute no-no, keep in mind that white clothing outdoors can look "too bright" and compete with the face for attention. Babies and small children look fine in sleeveless outfits such as sun dresses and overalls without shirts.
Clothing below the waistline should be darker than above the waistline. Otherwise, even light jeans worn below a dark top could easily attract attention away from the face. A great test for your clothing is to lay everything out on the bed - even socks and shoes. Walk into the room and see if your eye is drawn to any one item. You can be sure the same thing will stand out in the portrait so you might consider changing that item or items.
Couples or small groups should choose clothing within the same tonal ranges and general styles. In other words, coordinate! Identical outfits are not needed - just arrange clothes that complement one another.
Outdoor portraits are most often informal in nature. We prefer bare feet, location permitting. We may move from spot to spot on location, so shoes that can easily be slipped on and off are perfect.
For studio portraits, please think about your goal for the finished pieces as Lesley will match the background to the clothing as closely as possible. This means if you select light colored clothing or white, we will work with a light toned or white background. We do not recommend the lighter colors if you strongly prefer black & white. If you select medium tones or dark tones, she will select a similar toned background. Mid to dark tones are best for black & white portraits.
Other details: Hairstyles and makeup should be kept simple. Bangs that come too low or hairstyles that hang in the face should be avoided. In addition, other very trendy items such as costume jewelry, fad clothing or other items should be left out as they will quickly "date" the portrait. Classic and simple is best.
If you are planning on your child wearing a hat or flower halo and they have bangs, these items will make their bangs look longer. A trim about a week before the session is helpful in keeping the bangs a nice length.
Please keep jewelry to a minimum. Wristwatches, drop earrings, and charm bracelets should be avoided.
Glasses may or may not be worn. We will do our best to keep glare off the lenses, but it's best to either use non-reflective lenses or remove the lens from the frame for the duration of the session.
All the careful work that you do in selecting your clothing will undoubtedly pay off when you see your finished portrait!