One of the most important considerations when planning for a portrait session is clothing choice. Poor clothing choices will be distracting and will direct attention away from the face or faces in the photo. Good clothing choices will allow the face to be the primary focus of the portrait. Here are some tips to help you:

 

COLORS AND PATTERNS:

• Avoid bold patterns – stripes, checks, prints, plaids, etc. These will draw attention to themselves and detract from the faces in the photo.
• Avoid bright or bold colors as these will also dominate the photo.
• Avoid light shades that are similar to flesh tones such as taupe, pink, tan, beige, cream or yellow.
• Light colored clothing is better for lighter backgrounds, but is distracting against darker backgrounds.
• Darker colors are flattering to the face and slimming to the figure.
• For outdoor portraits earth tones work well
• For formal portraits mid to deep tones are best.
• Solid colors or very simple patterns look best and do not detract from the face.

STYLES:

• Avoid any clothing that does not fit properly.
• Avoid wearing extreme styles.
• Simple is best.
• Wear what you are comfortable in – this will help you relax, as well as being a truer representation of you.
• Teens and adults should wear long sleeves. Bare arms draw attention to themselves, thus detracting from the face.
• Women should also wear longer skirts or pants, or dark hose, for the same reason as above.

GROUPS:

• Couples and groups should coordinate their clothing to be similar in both style and color tone. Contrasting styles or colors create visual confusion, and bring some subjects forward while others fade.
• Coordinating clothing creates a sense of unity or togetherness within a group.
• Coordinating clothing also allows the faces to remain the focus of the photo.
• Groups can wear well-balanced complimentary colors