Photo Day Tips
Preparing for Your Portrait
A little preparation makes a meaningful difference. Use these recommendations to choose clothing and finishing details that photograph beautifully.
Clothing
- For white backgrounds, wear ivory, tan, white, or pastel colors—especially for children.
- Avoid patterns, plaids, stripes, checks, and prints.
- Stay away from bright colors.
Couples
- Couples or small groups should wear the same or very similar colors.
- Avoid mixing light and dark tones—for example, one person in light clothing and the other in dark tones.
Families
- Families should wear solid colors in the same color range.
Environmental Family Portraits
- Casual clothing in medium tones is best for outdoor portraits.
- Blues work well all year. Ivory, khaki, and salmon complement summer greens; medium tones, browns, burgundies, and grays are good choices for fall.
- Solid colors in the same tones are best for any environmental portrait. These choices help convey the family connection.
Hair and Makeup
- Makeup should look natural.
- Avoid lip gloss, as it may reflect light and distort the appearance of the lips.
- Wear your hair the way you ordinarily style it—your portrait session is not the time to try a new hairstyle.
- Men should have their hair cut approximately one week before the portrait.
Jewelry and Finishing Details
- Avoid large, sparkly jewelry. It may reflect light and require costly correction.
- Do not wear yellow or green for your portrait session.
- Wear darker tones with dark backgrounds.
- Wear light clothing with lighter backgrounds and fair complexions.
- Turtleneck, U-neck, and V-neck tops photograph well when the neckline is neither too low nor too high.
- Long sleeves are best.
- Legs should be covered with long skirts, pants, or hosiery.
- Choose shoes and hosiery that coordinate with pants or skirts, and avoid oversized shoes.