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There are many factors to consider when you're getting ready for a portrait photography session. Here I've listed a few details you might wish to review. If you follow these simple tips when you're getting ready for your portrait session, you're much more likely to present yourself in a positive light.
Please don’t become worried about the number of options listed here. Remember, they're intended to serve as helpful guidelines and not be considered requirements.
Before you arrive for your portrait session, I recommend that you assemble at least four (4) different outfits. Since my portrait packages are booked by the hour, I'm happy to accommodate as many wardrobe changes as possible during our time together. For my style of photography, there's no such thing as too many choices. When you arrive for your session, I'll help you choose the wardrobe options that might suit you best and promote your likeness in the most complementary fashion. Please note that if we are photographing you in public location or park, wardrobe changes may not be allowed. Please check with me prior to your appointment if we are planning your session for a public location.
If you don't have access to a large, stylish, or new wardrobe, you may wish to consider purchasing a few new items prior to your portrait photography session. If you're already investing in photographs, it's helpful if you can ensure that your wardrobe will enhance rather than detract from your portrait. If your budget doesn't allow you to purchase new apparel, you may wish to consider another option. Many of my subjects purchase new clothing from their favorite boutique or department store and then return the items after our session; if you elect to return those items, you shouldn't remove the tags. If you consider this option, please take note that some stores don't allow returns. Check on the store's return policy before you buy!
Avoid selecting wardrobe items that feature patterns, bright colors, busy prints, or logos. Apparel featuring those characteristics can draw attention away from your face, the most important area of your photos. For more information on color selection, please see my short article titled Choosing Complementary Colors.
I also suggest that your select outfits that feature a few different necklines. If your selected apparel items are too similar in cut or design, you may not be provided with much diversity in your photographic choices. Speaking of diversity, you may wish to consider bringing sweaters or jackets during the summer and summer outfits during the winter. And although you’re welcome to wear trendy attire, please remember that wardrobe selection can quickly date your photos.
Although it's not required, please bring a lint brush or roller. Although I sometimes have one on hand, it's better if you come prepared. A lint brush becomes especially important if you plan on wearing black wardrobe items. And to make sure your wardrobe is presented in the best possible light, you should make sure it's pressed and clean. An insignificant wrinkle can sometimes ruin an otherwise great photo. You should also ensure your undergarments aren't visible through your outer layers of clothing. Women’s bras and bra straps are notorious for causing problems in photos. And if you're wearing white or semi-transparent items, try to remove the tags from your garments. Under certain lighting conditions, these tags can often be visible in your photographs.
If possible, avoid wardrobe items that are made out of 100% cotton, linen, tweed, stripes, bulky knits, busy prints, shiny silk, satin, and shantung. The nature of these fabrics and accessories can pose unique difficulties in portrait photography. You should also avoid wearing multiple layers of clothing. Multiple layers can often add perceived weight to your body in photographs and make you look bulky.
And finally unless you're very thin, avoid sleeveless shirts, sweaters, or blouses. Even for slender subjects, it's often difficult to focus attention on your face if your bare arm is competing for attention in the photograph.
Don’t forget your bring all of your accessories like shoes, socks, belts, necklaces, earrings, make-up bag, brush, curling iron, hair spray, or special mirrors. Even if you only need a simple headshot, you never know what we'll capture during our session. You should also avoid wearing distracting jewelry including watches, large rings and earrings, and prominent necklaces. Jewelry should be kept at a minimum as these items can distract from your face in the finished photo. You should also avoid large buttons or shiny objects on your clothing or body. Shiny objects can also include glitter and rhinestones.
In addition to your standard accessories, you may wish to bring along a prop like a piece of jewelry or clothing, a tool of your profession, a book, a hat, a scarf, or even children’s toys. Try to choose items that help identify you, but won't detract from your appearance.
For both men and women, you should pay particular attention to your facial hair. Women should take a close look at their eyebrows and upper lips before the session. Even if your facial hair is masked by makeup, it can still appear in photos. For men, although it might prove difficult, I recommend you carefully shave no more than two hours before the photo session. This is a good practice because evidence of facial hair can often appear right away. Trimming your beard, goatee, moustache, and/or sideburns is also strongly recommended. Many gentlemen don't believe following this recommendation is necessary--often to their great regret.
In the same vein, I also recommend that you visit your barber or stylist at least one week prior to the session. And if you're not comfortable styling your own hair or applying your makeup, please consider seeing a professional on the day of your session. That step alone can make a world of difference.
Finally, you should try and use hand moisturizer immediately before our portrait session. It's quite possible that I'll feature your hands in some photos. A manicure a few days before is also highly recommended, even for gentlemen. Pedicures are optional, but they often offer me additional photographic opportunities, especially for barefoot shots or if you intend to wear open toed shoes.
If you're participating in a couple, family, or group photo session, I recommend that everyone in your group wear similar attire. Just as in my recommendations for individual portraits, you should think about complementary colors and styles. These wardrobe choices will keep distractions to a minimum. For example, if you'd like a family portrait that includes four family members, there are few common apparel selections. One option might be to have all members of the group wearing a combination of white and denim. In a traditional family portrait, the father might wear jeans and a white shirt, the infant son a pair of denim overalls and a white shirt, the daughter a white sun dress, and the mother might wear jeans and a white blouse. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that any garment worn on the upper torso doesn't conflict with anything worn by any other member of the group. Solid black, white, pastel, khaki, and denim combinations are generally the most successful colors for these types of photographs. For more information about color choices, I recommend my article Choosing Complementary Colors which details my recommendations for selecting ideal colors.
Try to get a good night’s sleep before your photo session and avoid alcohol. You'd be amazed how easily bags under your eyes can detract from your photos! You should also avoid stress during your photo session. Since my goal is to make sure you look natural, bring things that help you relax. We can even play your favorite CD. Avoid stressors like your ringing cell phone, young children (who aren't going to be in the photos), and arriving late to your photo session.
If you'd like to republish excerpts or the entire article found above, please call Rob Greer of Rob Greer Photography at (626) 523-3123 or send an e-mail with your request along with a URL to where you'd like to publish this information. I'll then send you official permission along with a short biographical note that you can post on your site or within your publication.
(626) 523-3123
photographer
contact info
