Great portraits don't just happen. They are carefully planned creations. Your photographer will be finely tuning the images they create; setting the perfect mood, providing intricate lighting and finishing with a masterful post processing. Here are a few suggestions to ensure you look great and you LOVE your portraits.
Choosing the right clothing is critical. In every good portrait, the viewer's eyes are drawn to the faces of the subjects without distractions and this doesn't happen by accident - there are certain guidelines which, when followed, will allow this to happen.
First of all, choose clothing that you like and in which you are comfortable. Simple and casual outfits that are kept to solid colors; denim, khakis, blacks, grays and earth tones always look good. Stripes and patterns can be very distracting in photos and pull the focus away from the true subject - you! Dark colors tend to slenderize, while light colors tend to add a little weight. For outdoor sessions, try to stay away from whites as they can be very distracting.
If you are having a hard time choosing your outfit, give us a call - we are always happy to help. Families should coordinate clothing. That does not necessarily mean all the outfits have to match perfectly, but they should all be in the same tonal range or color group.
Keep make-up simple and as you normally wear it. Minor blemishes, break-outs, scars? No worries! They will be removed with retouching for any prints and/or digital files chosen. Jewelry should also be kept simple and to a minimum.
Do not get your hair cut, permed, or colored too close to your session date. Hair needs a few days to settle in after a new cut. Also, it is probably best that you not try a radically different style just before your session :) It is also a good idea to bring a brush for last minute touch ups
Glasses that are worn most of the time can also be worn during your sessions, or you may remove them for the photos. Glass glare can be a problem. We will try to minimize this but sometimes cannot remove it completely. For best images, if at all possible, you might remove the lens from your glasses Ð most opticians will do this or you might borrow empty frames to use. But don't let this stress you. In most cases, only a slight angle to the glasses is needed to greatly reduce the glare.
Got Dogs? Cats? Horses? Bring them along! We love to include ALL members of your family in your portrait session. A leash and some treats are always helpful, as is a quick walk for any doggies, just prior to the session. Please choose a collar for your pet that matches their coat.
We really encourage you NOT to make a big deal out of planning and preparing for your portraits. When you let the kids know that you'll be having portraits made, make it sound like a fun and relaxed experience to look forward to, BECAUSE IT WILL BE :) The bigger deal you make of it, the more likely they, OR YOU, will become stressed.
The best time to schedule your baby's portrait session is during the time of day that they are most happy and responsive. You know your baby best! Clothing choices for babies are always better if they are kept simple. I know it is tempting to dress babies in pastel, but this has a tendency to give their face and skin a 'washed out' appearance. You are better with slightly bolder colors. When photographing infants alone, it is best if done in-studio versus outdoors.
Toddlers and young children look great in classic clothing such as simple dresses, bib overalls and bare feet. Feel free to bring several outfits and we can decide together what will photograph best. We will take our time with your baby/toddler and give them the necessary breaks they need to keep them happy - changing, feeding or just a little play break. We want to make sure your little one has a great time at the session and do not expect him/her to hold stiff poses or sit still for more than a minute or two. We want your child to just be him/herself. We'll make sure to take plenty of frames, in order to capture those fleeting but precious expressions.