How to dress for your portrait session.

I get asked the question "How should I dress for my portrait session?" a lot so I've posted the best tips for the best results:


1.Simplicity is the keynote.

2.Solid colors are best. Avoid large or bold patterns and bright colors. They draw attention away from the face.

3.Long sleeved dresses and shirts are recommended. They draw attention away from the arms and focus it on the face. (Short sleeves are acceptable for infants and small children).

4.Coordinate your attire from head to toe, carefully selecting appropriate shoes and stockings, as I may portray you in a full length pose.

5.Darker clothing tends to minimize body size, and light tones tend to emphasize body size.

6.Necklines are important. A vee or scoop neck is best if your neck is short and your face is full. A turtle neck or high neck garment is more flattering if your neck is longer and your face is slender.

7.Dress everyone in the same style of clothing. Do not mix casual and formal attire.

8.Keep the tonal range of clothing within the group the same. Do not mix light and dark values. Save patterns for accent items like scarves and neckties.

9.White or light pastel clothing, shoes, stockings, pants, or dresses look best in portraits taken against a white or light background. Save stronger colors and patterns for accent items.

10.To assure a successful portrait, it is best to bring along several additional clothing choices.

Dress for Outdoor Portraits:

As a background, the outdoors is very busy. It is important to choose only one or two theme colors. While blues are excellent all year, white, ivory, khaki and salmon are great against lush green foliage. Burgundy, brown, tan and gray are nice late in the season. Avoid all greens, as they clash with Mother Nature. The simplicity of two colors help separate the subject from the scenery. Busy backgrounds and busy clothes result in hard to find faces. Jeans and sweaters always look good outdoors. Please don’t wear any large broad-rim hats that might cast a shadow over the eyes. Women should avoid large earrings as they can detract from seeing the face.