Portrait Clothing Selections

Our goal is the creation of a portrait that will carry who you are into the coming years, connecting your descendents with the “you” of today.

Great portraits are the result of cooperation between the photographer and you. We would like to offer some techniques for your use to enhance your result.

Your clothing needs to complement and enhance, rather than compete, with you. Dramatic styles, colors, and patterns distract the viewer from your personality. Choose your portrait wear with this in mind.

Moderately styled turtlenecks and v-necks are very flattering. Avoid very deep V and heavy cowl styles that distract or hide.

Particularly when we come close with the camera, long sleeves are the rule for teens and adults. Bare arms and shoulders call attention to themselves, and will overpower your face.

When we pull back a little, this idea applies to our lower limbs, too. Long pants for men, long pants/skirts or dark stockings for ladies will help the viewer stay focused on the face. Shoes and visible socks should carry the theme and tone of the portraits’ style.

(Although, in some outdoor settings, we may desire short sleeves/hems as a design style.)

Hairstyles for men should be comfortable, with haircuts six-ten days old. For women, the magic time is whenever they are most at ease in their hairstyle cycle.

CLOTHING SELECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS.

Remember, our joint purpose in fine portraiture is to bring the viewer’s attention to the face. This is best done by matching tonality of clothing and background....light-to-light, dark-to-dark. Again, simple, longsleeve styling tends to be the most pleasing. You may remember hearing that darker clothing is slimming.....this tends to be true, and is why we so often see medium-to-dark sets used in formal portraiture.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS AND FAMILIES

Clothing and prop choices can make or break a portrait, particularly when a particular stylistic effect is wanted, or more than one person will be in the portrait. Mixed tonalities in the clothing choices create visual conflict and viewing confusion, as the lighter values advance and the darker ones recede from the viewer. This will cause the person in the lighter clothing to dominate and appear heavier than reality.

By selecting the group’s clothing to fall in the same tonal ranges and/or color families, no individual will come to dominate the image, allowing better integration with the room’s decor.

Giving thought and planning to the clothing choices for your family’s Heirloom Portrait is well worth your effort. It results in a work of art that emphasizes the connection of your family members with each other, and avoids the appearance of a group of disconnected individuals.

Family Lifestyle Portraiture…… …the time-tested way to carry your heritage, and your memories, into the future.

©Cascade West Photography