We are often asked what you should wear to a photo session so your photos will look good. Often that
depends upon whether you have a formal studio session or a more casual outdoor session scheduled.
Sometimes it includes both, so you need to be prepared for both. Almost all of our work is done on location.
Let’s start with grooming first. Everyone should be aware that hair styling should be appropriate to the
clothes you select, so be sure to plan for that. Avoid new hairstyles or having a new haircut or perm the week of your appointment to allow your hair to adjust to the changes. If you want to change your hairstyle during your session to add some variety to your photos, that’s okay as long as it is a simple change, can be done quickly, and is appropriate to your outfit.
For the ladies, makeup for photographs should only be slightly heavier than normal. Too much makeup will
tend to give you a “painted” look, and too little might not show off some of your best facial features. A loose
translucent power is helpful to eliminate shine, especially for oily skin (this can go for the guys, too). Since
most portraits concentrate on the eyes, great care should be taken to make them as perfect as possible. Avoid using excessively bright colors and be sure your mascara is neat and not clumpy. Also don’t get sunburned prior to your session and avoid any visible tan lines that may show in some of your outfits.
The guys will want to be sure they are clean shaven before their session. Retouching can hide most blemishes but it can’t correct for razor stubble. If you wear a beard or mustache, it should be neatly trimmed.
What about clothes? In general, solids always photograph best, so avoid stripes, patterns and prints if
possible. Also avoid clothing with any wording or large brand names on it. Classic styles will “age” better over time than the latest in trendy clothing, so be sure to have something that won’t be outdated in just a few years. In most cases, it’s a good idea to bring extra outfits and we can help you decide when you arrive for your session.
Ladies, bring a variety of clothing to your session. We recommend a traditional dress outfit for a more formal
look if you have a studio session scheduled, as well as a selection of casual outfits that best show your personality. Darker solids work best for formal portraits and off the shoulder dresses are nice but beware of tan lines. Whites or pastels work best for light backgrounds. Basic primary colors as well as black and white are great for casuals. Denim always photographs well. Casual clothing allows greater variety as well as expressing your personality better. Don’t forget to bring appropriate accessories…shoes, jewelry, belts, etc., but remember, clothing should be flattering but not overpowering because it is your face that’s the most important element in a portrait, not your clothes.
Guys, we also suggest you bring several outfits to your session if you’re not sure what to wear. For a formal shot, we recommend a suit or sport coat, and your dress shirt should be pressed to avoid wrinkles. Ties should not be so colorful or flashy that they take attention from your face. As with the ladies, casual outfits are best kept to solid colors. Denim, black, white, and solid earthtones almost always look good, so bring a selection that we can help you with picking the ones to best show your personality. Don’t forget to bring shoes appropriate to your outfits. Family Groups should dress appropriate to the setting (formal or casual) and their outfits should complement each other in style and color. General guidelines above regarding stripes, prints, and patterns apply here as well. If you want to have everyone dressed in matching outfits (all white, all black, all denim, etc.,) be sure to let us know. And, as above, it’s a good idea to have a few changes (mix & match) for everyone.
The main thing is prepare to be yourselves and have fun. Your Portrait should reflect who you are at one period of your life, and we’ll do our best to make your session pleasant and relaxed so your pictures can show that. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us anytime before your portrait session. We look forward to working with you and having a great time with you that day.
2009 Dan Schumacher Photography & www.schuphoto.com ™ All rights reserved.