Clothing Selection for Your Portrait

Our goal is to produce a timeless portrait for you.  The goal of any fine portrait is to direct the viewer’s eye to the faces in the portrait.  The subtlety of your clothing is very important.  Simple, timeless outfits photograph best because they are not distracting.  This allows the viewer’s eye to go to the faces in the portrait.  It is faces, not clothing, that should dominate a portrait. Essentially, when selecting clothing, plan for simplicity, balance, and color coordination.

In general, three-quarter or long sleeves work best for both ladies and gentlemen.  Bare arms call attention to themselves and will overpower the face.  Women being photographed in full length should wear long skirts, pants, or dark stockings in order to keep the eye from being directed toward the legs and away from the face.

Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges.  In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical.  Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because of the clothing color compared to the rest of the group.  Complementary colors make a large group blend together and create a feeling of family unity. 

Clothing should fit comfortably, and you should avoid clothing that restricts movement or sitting positions.  For example, you might be asked to try sitting on the carpet, lawn, or on the edge of a chair in order to create an attractive angle.  The clothes you are wearing should not restrict these actions.

 Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the clothing you choose is very important to your portrait’s success.   At Portraits by Steven, our goal is to create timeless portraiture as individual as the subjects we photograph.  Portraits That Touch Your Heart.

Portraits by Steven is your Fayetteville photographer, Hope Mills photographer, Lumberton photographer, Elizabethtown photographer, Southern Pines photographer, Pinehurst photographer, Whispering Pines photographer, and Sanford photographer.