Portrait Tips
Dark Clothing Tends to Slenderize
Darker clothing helps to blend the bodies with the background, so that the faces are the most important part of the
photograph. Dark colors definitely tend to slenderize the subject. Light colors seem to add weight to the bodies.
The color of the clothing should always be toned down. Bright colors attract attention away from the face. Colors
MUST be dark and not bright. This is ESSENTIAL! Prints and any kind of pattern - no matter how small - become a
distraction. In the case of digital portraits, in particular, small patterns in clothing (even a small herring-bone or
checkered pattern) can cause terrible distortions to appear in the portrait .
Avoid Short Sleeve Clothing and Short Pants
Long sleeved clothing is better! For casual portraits it is equally important to wear long pants instead of shorts.
When arms and legs are exposed to the camera there will be more flesh in the photograph in those areas than on
the face, itself. This is a major distraction.
White shirts and/or blouses under a dark jacket are perfect. A scarf loosely tied around the neck also helps to frame
a face beautifully when a collarless blouse or sweater is worn.
Group Portraits
Clothing for group portraits must be carefully selected to blend the bodies together. First, decide whether the basic
tone of the clothing will be warm-toned (browns, etc.) or cool-toned (blues/grays/blacks, etc.) Then, make sure to
follow all of the above instructions.
Proper Necklines for a Portrait
The most flattering neckline for anyone is something that comes up close to the neck. A wide-open neckline tends to
thicken the neck in a photograph. On the other hand, a neckline that comes up to the base of the neck - a
turtleneck or a v-neck top is the most flattering. It tends to slim down the person and frames the face beautifully.
Finally, lay out all the clothing onto a bed. Shoes, socks, stockings (dark hose is mandatory) - everything should be
included...shoes, too! Then, take a careful look at the collection. If your eye goes to any one item in particular, you
can be certain that the same thing will happen in a photograph. That item should be changed.
Clothing should not be too tight or too loose. Clothing below the waistline should be darker than above. Otherwise,
even light jeans worn below a darker top could easily attract attention to the lower part of the body and away from
the face.
Casual Beach Portraits
For a beach portrait session it is sometimes a good idea to dress in light colored clothing, so that the bodies will
blend with the light-colored sand. In this situation all white or pastel clothing works fine. All white clothing is great.
White shirts and jeans work well, too. White shirts with beige pants is even better. Staying all in light tones can be
very effective in this type of environment. Still, remember to dress everyone in the portrait similarly. You have to
blend the bodies of everyone together, so that the faces stand out. This is essential particularly in a group portrait.
Makeup
Eye makeup should be blended - no sharp demarcation lines between colors. AVOID WHITE above or below the
eyes. It does not photograph well at all. Too much color above and below the eyes attracts attention to itself. It
actually takes attention AWAY from the eyes, rather than attracting the viewer to the eyes. Foundation makeup
should be blended at the jawline, so that there is no demarcation between the face and the neck.
Tips for Mommies on Having their Children's Portrait Created
Book your child's session at a time of day when your child is at his/hers best. After or before their regular nap time
Smiling naturally on command is difficult, if not impossible, and a child told to smile often produces a big toothy
grimace (not the most attractive expression) or another silly face. Telling a child to smile, or rehearsing how to smile
in advance and then telling the child to do what they practiced at home rarely works well (it doesn't work well with
grownups either). Relaxed, natural expressions photograph the best. If parents are relaxed and not pressuring the
child, we can get those radiant smiles.
If your portrait goal is a single special wall portrait, to be displayed for many years, please call the studio with the
clothing you you have chosen for the session. We'll discuss how you're planning to display the portrait and select
the props and sets to be used in the session.
The quality of your portraits is greatly enhanced when the children are photographed in a relaxing, nonstressful
atmosphere. Children often pick up nervous energy from their parents; when you are worried about getting "good
pictures" your child will worry with you and it will show in the finished images.
One hour is normally more then adequate for a well-planned standard session. I create between 8 and 12 images in
a single standard session , which permits one child to be photographed in two different outfits, or two children to be
photographed separately and together in one outfit. Three or more children being photographed separately and
together will require a wee bit more time.
If special clothing, such as a gift from a special relative or a family heirloom, is being used in the session, please
make sure it fits prior to the session and check that it is pressed or steamed as needed. An alternate outfit should
also be brought to the session. Babies seem to have a tendency to spit up on their outfit if no replacement is
available, and older children can spill something on their clothes, or tear them. Don't forget accessories: socks or
tights, shoes, hair bows or barrettes.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask
E-MAIL carol@carolsphotography.net
Phone 306.783.4922 / 204.648.4922
Web www.carolsphotography.net
Dark Clothing Tends to Slenderize
Darker clothing helps to blend the bodies with the background, so that the faces are the most important part of the
photograph. Dark colors definitely tend to slenderize the subject. Light colors seem to add weight to the bodies.
The color of the clothing should always be toned down. Bright colors attract attention away from the face. Colors
MUST be dark and not bright. This is ESSENTIAL! Prints and any kind of pattern - no matter how small - become a
distraction. In the case of digital portraits, in particular, small patterns in clothing (even a small herring-bone or
checkered pattern) can cause terrible distortions to appear in the portrait .
Avoid Short Sleeve Clothing and Short Pants
Long sleeved clothing is better! For casual portraits it is equally important to wear long pants instead of shorts.
When arms and legs are exposed to the camera there will be more flesh in the photograph in those areas than on
the face, itself. This is a major distraction.
White shirts and/or blouses under a dark jacket are perfect. A scarf loosely tied around the neck also helps to frame
a face beautifully when a collarless blouse or sweater is worn.
Group Portraits
Clothing for group portraits must be carefully selected to blend the bodies together. First, decide whether the basic
tone of the clothing will be warm-toned (browns, etc.) or cool-toned (blues/grays/blacks, etc.) Then, make sure to
follow all of the above instructions.
Proper Necklines for a Portrait
The most flattering neckline for anyone is something that comes up close to the neck. A wide-open neckline tends to
thicken the neck in a photograph. On the other hand, a neckline that comes up to the base of the neck - a
turtleneck or a v-neck top is the most flattering. It tends to slim down the person and frames the face beautifully.
Finally, lay out all the clothing onto a bed. Shoes, socks, stockings (dark hose is mandatory) - everything should be
included...shoes, too! Then, take a careful look at the collection. If your eye goes to any one item in particular, you
can be certain that the same thing will happen in a photograph. That item should be changed.
Clothing should not be too tight or too loose. Clothing below the waistline should be darker than above. Otherwise,
even light jeans worn below a darker top could easily attract attention to the lower part of the body and away from
the face.
Casual Beach Portraits
For a beach portrait session it is sometimes a good idea to dress in light colored clothing, so that the bodies will
blend with the light-colored sand. In this situation all white or pastel clothing works fine. All white clothing is great.
White shirts and jeans work well, too. White shirts with beige pants is even better. Staying all in light tones can be
very effective in this type of environment. Still, remember to dress everyone in the portrait similarly. You have to
blend the bodies of everyone together, so that the faces stand out. This is essential particularly in a group portrait.
Makeup
Eye makeup should be blended - no sharp demarcation lines between colors. AVOID WHITE above or below the
eyes. It does not photograph well at all. Too much color above and below the eyes attracts attention to itself. It
actually takes attention AWAY from the eyes, rather than attracting the viewer to the eyes. Foundation makeup
should be blended at the jawline, so that there is no demarcation between the face and the neck.
Tips for Mommies on Having their Children's Portrait Created
Book your child's session at a time of day when your child is at his/hers best. After or before their regular nap time
Smiling naturally on command is difficult, if not impossible, and a child told to smile often produces a big toothy
grimace (not the most attractive expression) or another silly face. Telling a child to smile, or rehearsing how to smile
in advance and then telling the child to do what they practiced at home rarely works well (it doesn't work well with
grownups either). Relaxed, natural expressions photograph the best. If parents are relaxed and not pressuring the
child, we can get those radiant smiles.
If your portrait goal is a single special wall portrait, to be displayed for many years, please call the studio with the
clothing you you have chosen for the session. We'll discuss how you're planning to display the portrait and select
the props and sets to be used in the session.
The quality of your portraits is greatly enhanced when the children are photographed in a relaxing, nonstressful
atmosphere. Children often pick up nervous energy from their parents; when you are worried about getting "good
pictures" your child will worry with you and it will show in the finished images.
One hour is normally more then adequate for a well-planned standard session. I create between 8 and 12 images in
a single standard session , which permits one child to be photographed in two different outfits, or two children to be
photographed separately and together in one outfit. Three or more children being photographed separately and
together will require a wee bit more time.
If special clothing, such as a gift from a special relative or a family heirloom, is being used in the session, please
make sure it fits prior to the session and check that it is pressed or steamed as needed. An alternate outfit should
also be brought to the session. Babies seem to have a tendency to spit up on their outfit if no replacement is
available, and older children can spill something on their clothes, or tear them. Don't forget accessories: socks or
tights, shoes, hair bows or barrettes.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask
E-MAIL carol@carolsphotography.net
Phone 306.783.4922 / 204.648.4922
Web www.carolsphotography.net
306.783.4922 / 204.648.4922
| Yorkton SK + Dauphin MB Wedding & Portrait Photographer |
Edgy, creative, romantic, photojournalism.... fun shots and fabulous photos! Two
professional photographers - two unique styles. They capture the love & laughter…the
moments that make your day…. Priceless!
Carol's Photography is sought after for their artistic images and digital artistry......
professional photographers - two unique styles. They capture the love & laughter…the
moments that make your day…. Priceless!
Carol's Photography is sought after for their artistic images and digital artistry......
