It’s the most difficult part of getting ready for portraits, you have a closet full of clothes, but choosing something to wear seems impossible. Have to dress your whole family? Even worse! I don’t consider myself a fashionista by any means, I’m lucky if I can dress myself to go to the grocery store without looking like a dork, but as a photographer I do have some ideas about what works for portraits and what does not. Hopefully these guidelines can help with the last-minute clothing stresses.
The first choice that you need to make when selecting an outfit or look for photos is how you envision your images to turn out. Consider the environment where you’re going to have the photos placed. If your living room is primarily tan and green, a collection of portraits hanging on your wall where everyone is wearing bright red sweaters may not be the best compliment to your overall decorating scheme, unless perhaps you live with Santa Claus. So before attacking your wardrobe give some thought to what you want to do with your portraits once you have them.
Portraits
- Keep it simple! Simple, simple, SIMPLE is always best. When in doubt solid colors never miss. Choose one or two vibrant complimenting colors(like green and brown) and pair them with a basic neutral pieces(such as black, ivory, or denim) and the results will be outfits that look clean and pulled together.
- Dress appropriately for the session, and the season. For a professional head shot, a logo t-shirt is probably not your best choice. On the other hand, during a lifestyle session you would be certainly overdressed in business wear. You also probably won’t be comfortable tramping about in 3′ snow in February wearing sandals and shorts(believe me, it’s happened).
- Avoid white as a main color. With the exception of wedding dresses and little girls, white is flattering on almost no one. You will look wider, it’s more likely that it will be overexposed in a photo, and it will reflect and wash out your face making you look paler.
- Subtle patterns are fine, but avoid busy multicolored prints that are hard to coordinate with and are distracting. Keep patterns simple, and don’t mix patterns(Floral and plaid? Really?)
- Show your personality. The way we dress is an introduction who we are and I want your portraits to show the world your identity! Dress according to your own style and let that personality shine through in your photos.
- Dress comfortably. If you can’t comfortably walk, sit, or run in whatever it is you may want to make a different choice! Those 5″ Stilettos DO make your legs look great, but if your session will involve walking outside in a field or hiking in a nature preserve, are you really sure they should be your first choice? Maybe it’s time to pull out the ballet flats.
- Layers! Layers of coordinating colors such as adding scarfs, hats, or jackets will make key colors really pop and create interest in your portrait. Just make sure that when adding layers you’re still comfortable to move and the items compliment each other, it’s probably best to stop shot of reenacting the snow suit scene from A Christmas Story.
- Consider your feet. Are your shoes and socks in relationship to your outfit? Often this is forgotten, but improper footwear will be very obvious in full-length poses and I can’t even say how many times I’ve been asked to take full-body shot and had a(or their parent) ask me “The feet aren’t going to show, right? I hate these shoes.”
For Multiple People
- Coordinate. Matching outfits are on the way out of style, but planting a few simple tones throughout the family wardrobe will make the group look unified.
- Dress for the same season. If the one person is wearing a jacket and knit cap, another shouldn’t be in shorts and a t-shirt.
- Try to avoid mixing too many patterns, dots and stripes and plaid and paisley print all have their place, but it isn’t mixed together. Choose patterns that aren’t too “busy” and that compliment each other.
Special Considerations for Kids
- If your kids are uncomfortable, it will show in the photos. Suits, formal dresses, sailor costumes, and infant headbands are definitely cute, but if your child doesn’t feel good the effort will be wasted on grumpy faced photos and difficult attitudes during the session. If you MUST have a photo of your little pumpkin in the adorable sailor suit that’s okay! But bring along another suitable, comfortable outfit as well so that they can get changed when they’ve had enough of playing dress up.
- Let kids express themselves. Particularly older children who are more independent. Don’t make your 11-year-old son wear the same style sweater as his 5-year-old sister, chances are he’s not loving the idea of being dressed down and would like to show off his own personality. When kids get the chance to be who they are during a photo session they are suddenly a lot more willing to cooperate and participate.
- Be flexible. You will be happier with your photos if your kids are happier DURING the photo session. Happier kids are more genuine, cooperative, and patient. Don’t let a wardrobe battle ruin your session(and future sessions to come). Plan several different outfit choices in advance, that way kids have the option to choose what they feel best in.