Wardrobe Suggestions

Here are some tips that will make choosing your wardrobe simple and painless. This is not the rule- but a good place to start!
-Softer colors (pastel blues, light greens and tans) work well for outdoor color
portraits.

-Wardrobe for couples can be a mixture of solids and patterns but this rarely ever
works with three or more subjects.

What to wear for group or family portraits (Tips for everyone)
-Wear similar tones of clothing

-Denim or khaki for pants and jackets work well. It's classic, it's informal best of all, it never goes out of style.

-Generally, solids are preferred over to patterns. Sometimes a bold pattern can
add to the overall statement made in a photo but they can also be very
distracting. Try to think of the locations of your session and what colors will
harmonize with it.

-Avoid patterns, logos, branding, and busy designs. Stripes, plaids, checks and
busy patterns like paisley all tend to be distracting. Stay away from clothes with
big buttons or ornaments that shine and compete for attention.

-Think in black and white tones; if everyone wears dark blue and one person
wears white, the eye will be drawn to the person wearing white. If there's a
reason that one person should stand out, then do it. If not, change your color
selections. Beware of the color red. It attracts attention! If you want to stand out
on purpose, wear red. If you choose red for everybody, it's best if the reds match.
-Avoid anything shiny or reflective. Keep jewelry at a minimum, because
anything flashy will distract from you. Avoid large, shiny objects like belt buckles,
bold jewelry and reflective watches.

-Unless your watch has a story, it's best to take it off during your portrait session. In
fact, it's best to take it off well before you arrive so the marks on your wrist have a
chance to fade.

-Make sure your clothes are pressed and clean, very few photographers have
irons or extra time.

-Bring a lint brush or lint roller, fuzz will show on dark colors.

-Photo retouching on soiled clothes will usually cost extra.

-Groom your hands and nails; they usually end up in some pictures.

Portrait Tips for Children
-Dress kids in similar tones. Even though kids may be attached to their superhero
t-shirts, let them wear them to the portrait session, just not during it!

-Kids can get away with brighter colors and patterns, but avoid logos and
branding.

-You may bring your own props, favorite toys, bribery etc.

Individuals and Couples - Guidelines for flattering styles:
Bring shirts with a collar as well as different necklines.

-Weight. If you feel that photographs tend to make you look too heavy or too
thin, do not select short dresses, spaghetti straps, or strapless dresses. Men should
not wear a suit jacket that doesn’t fit.

-Necks and Chins – Scarves and shirts with collars help a lot. V-Neck tops are
great at making necks look longer. We can also work with double chins through
posing, lighting and retouching.

-Versatile clothing—a few of the most versatile items to consider bringing include:
-Jeans
-Solid blouses and shirts
-Anything black

-Some other things to consider (Props)
-Hats (adds fun and variety)
-Jewelry
-Sunglasses
-Favorite items for props (ie. Guitar or football jersey)
-Long dresses for formal or dramatic looks.
-An amazing pair of shoes can add a lot to an image

Don’t forget that tight clothing, including bras and socks, leave marks on the
skin. Think about what parts of your skin will be showing and dress appropriately.
Bring a few different changes for variety. Also consider getting your hair and/or
make-up done before your shoot. It will make you feel good about how you
look and that feeling of self-confidence will be portrayed in your photos.

I’ve found that most people love the photos that show them relaxed and
natural. Consider bringing a friend to your shoot to help you feel more at ease.
More often than not, I’ll catch the best parts of you while you’re just being
yourself. If you have a fun, colorful and funky style that is unique to you, by all means GO FOR IT!

These are merely suggestions, or things I think would photograph well. Any
questions please feel free to call or e-mail me anytime. Thank you! Ramona 808-888-2981 photovisions@hawaii.rr.com