Try to get a good night’s sleep before the session and drink lots of water. Both will reduce puffy eyes.
Choose a color theme that simplifies the look of your portrait. Too many busy patterns and colors are especially distracting. Colors should be harmonious. Coordinate the clothing for all subjects in a group portrait so that one person will not dominate the scene. Color coordination (while avoiding completely matching outfits) lends harmony to the portrait. Busy backgrounds and busy clothes result in hard to find faces. Avoid busy patterns, prints and bright colors and try to stick with solid colors - simplicity is always a good policy.
As a background, the outdoors can be busy. It is important to choose only one or two theme colors. While blues are excellent all year, white, ivory, khaki and salmon are great against lush green foliage. Burgundy, brown, tan and gray are nice late in the season. Avoid all greens, as they clash with Mother Nature. The simplicity of two colors help separate the subject from the scenery. Jeans and sweaters will always look good outdoors. When it doubt, stick with the classic styles. They will always look good.
Other helpful hints:
Choose a color theme that simplifies the look of your portrait. Too many busy patterns and colors are especially distracting. Colors should be harmonious. Coordinate the clothing for all subjects in a group portrait so that one person will not dominate the scene. Color coordination (while avoiding completely matching outfits) lends harmony to the portrait. Busy backgrounds and busy clothes result in hard to find faces. Avoid busy patterns, prints and bright colors and try to stick with solid colors - simplicity is always a good policy.
As a background, the outdoors can be busy. It is important to choose only one or two theme colors. While blues are excellent all year, white, ivory, khaki and salmon are great against lush green foliage. Burgundy, brown, tan and gray are nice late in the season. Avoid all greens, as they clash with Mother Nature. The simplicity of two colors help separate the subject from the scenery. Jeans and sweaters will always look good outdoors. When it doubt, stick with the classic styles. They will always look good.
Other helpful hints:
- Try to avoid any large broad-rim hats that might cast a shadow over the eyes.
- Avoid wearing yellow or green as they can adversely affect skin color.
- Bold stripes, prints, checks or plaids are very confusing and do not photograph well.
- Avoid red or orange as your clothing tone, these colors will overpower facial features.
- Shoes and socks should match the rest of the outfit.
- Teens and adults should wear long sleeves to cover elbows.
- Women should not wear any prominent jewelry, large earrings are especially
distracting. - Do not overpower your face with too much makeup as it can give a clownish effect around the eyes, simple makeup is better as well.
- Men may want to use chapstick to give a bit of luster to the lips.
- Guys remember that a fresh shave is better than a 5 o'clock shadow.
- Now is not the time to experiment with a new hair style - Keep it simple.
- Consider bringing a change of clothing for everyone, particularly young babies.
- If you have toys or props that you want to bring to the session please do so - familiar things to children and pets are more soothing and will make the session much smoother.
- If you wear glasses in your everyday routine wear them at the session, there are programs today that can minimize the glare/reflection of glasses in portraits but not all glare can or will be removed.