Portrait Photography best family image photography portrait professional technique Wheeling - Elm Grove - St. Clairsville Family Portrait Photography

Clothing choices and helpful hints

Do your part... Each thing you do will help insure that your photos turn out great.

Try to avoid sunburn and tan lines from the tanning salons.
Everyone please keep out of the sun a week or two before your session.

A little preparation goes a long way

If our session includes going on location, bring clothes that aren't wrinkled.
Please don't bring your clothes rolled up in a ball in a backpack.
They'll be a wrinkled mess and they will photograph that way.

Lenses must be removed from your glasses. Your optometrist will do this for free if you can't do it yourself. Or... borrow a pair of empty frames from your optometrist that look similar to your own.
They'll often do this for free or for a small 5.00 deposit that they refund when you return them. Due to our lighting and the way we concentrate our lighting to bring out your eyes we can not photograph you with lenses in your glasses if you plan to wear them.

Contacts can be worn, but often your eyes will be less red and will have more sparkle if you can get by without your contact lenses.

Wear your hair in your regular style. Avoid a fresh cut or style the week before your session.

GUYS that 5 o'clock shadow will show and can't be touched up!

Visine will "get the red out" if you have allergies!

Get a good night's rest, relax and be ready for a great portrait session!

What to wear. What not to wear

Your face should be the focal point of your portraits.

Coordinate your outfit from head to toe. Including shoes and socks for each outfit. Barefoot and sandals are no problem for your casual clothes. Remember jewelry and accessories

Long sleeve solids or very subtle prints are usually the most flattering in portraits. Busy patterns and loud colors can be very distracting in your portraits. Avoid large & bold patterns that might tend to draw attention away from your face.

Stay clear of stripes! (large bold ones of 5+" are tolerable. Small thin ones will not photograph well.

We recommend staying away from white, light/pale yellow or other very light/pale colors outdoors. For outdoor portraits. Be careful of bright greens as they often clash with the greens of the leaves and grass. Black, Khaki, pink, orange, navy, tan, gold, burgundy, dark yellow and denim are good outdoors.

Like a more dramatic look? use darker more subdued colors. Medium to dark clothes look the best on dark backgrounds.

Prefer more upbeat? Bring lighter clothes. Medium to light colors look the best on lighter colored backgrounds.

Don't mix lights & darks in the same outfit. Keep the tonal range of clothing in the same group.

Clothing for Groups

Clothing choices for groups is of major concern. Solids are highly recommended!
Think of the entire families apparel as one outfit. Don't put a print or color on another family member that you would not add to your own outfit. A little planning here will result in a far superior final product. I cannot stress this enough! You will hear me repeat it over and over again!

Intending a Wall Portrait?

Something to consider when purchasing a wall portrait is where the portrait will hang. Wear something that will compliment the decor of the room. Is the intended room decoration in light colors or pastels? Keep your clothing light as well. And use a light frame. of course if your portrait will hang in a darker room such as a den, library or above a heavily wooded fireplace mantel. Then choose clothing in the darker shades such as burgundy, plum, deep greens, navy and khaki. Actually khaki works well with light and dark colors.
Having the portrait taken in the room where it will hang is a wonderful idea, the colors of the room will be reflected in the portrait.