For virtually every portrait session, we hear the question: What should we wear? So, we have compiled our list of recommendations for you.

The purpose of portrait photography--even when on-location--is to direct attention to the people in the image, so attire selections should keep this goal in mind. Of course, attire will differ depending on the people, purpose, location, and season.

Shop at Home

• Make time to review your closet(s) and think about what to wear. You likely have very nice things but may need to add one piece to complete an outfit.

Long Sleeves/Pants

• Long sleeves are important. This is usually annoying if it's warm, but it makes a big difference in the shoot. If your arms are exposed, the attention will go to that skin and not your face. Only children under the age of 5 should have exposed limbs.
• 3/4 length sleeves work well, too.
• If you can, layer long sleeves over a tank, so you can take a break from the heat.
• The same goes for pants. Shorts or skirts should be knee length or longer. Capri pants work well.

Solid Friends

• Prints, plaids, bold checks, and bold stripes are distracting and do not photograph well. Stick with solid colors or patterns that are subtle tone-on-tone.

Tonal Harmony

Matching Shades

• For group portraits, you don't all need to be in matching outfits. But you do need to match the quality of the color: all pastels, all jewel tones, or all primary colors.

Medium tones for caucasian skin

• Bright colors can overpower caucasian skin tones. Red can make make a face look flushed.

Strong tones for Indian or black skin

• Darker skin tones can more easily support brighter colors of clothing without the appearance of being washed out.

Not Quite White or Stay Rich

• If you like the idea of everyone in crisp white shirts, go pastel. Bright whites can distract the viewer from your eyes and face. (Some East Coast photographers believe that pastels should be reserved for newborns or the beach. This is also a nice look for a waterfront session.)
• When selecting between two, go with the richer/deeper shades of color.

Examples

• In a multi-generational portrait of a family with fair skin: Tell everyone to wear khaki pants. Put the grandparents in cream shirts, the eldest child and his wife and kids in pastel blue, the middle child and her family in pastel yellow, and the youngest and his fiancé in pastel green.
• OR, the same setup for a family with darker skin tones: Tell everyone to wear jeans. Put the grandparents in khaki shirts the eldest child and his wife and kids in royal blue, the middle child and her family in orange, and the youngest and his fiancé in kelly green.

Comfy Casual?

• Casual can work nicely, too. Denim mixed with khaki makes for a nice neutral palette that will let your face shine brightly in a casual setting.

Jewelry and Accessories

• Do not wear a watch. They catch light in the strangest of ways and are very time consuming to edit. Do not wear a watch. Really, we mean it. No watches.
• Leave the sunglasses, wallet, purse, and phone at home or locked up in the car. If you have to bring some of these items, put them all in one bag that will stay near the camera during posing.
• Keep other accessories (necklace, earrings, scarf, shoes-that-stand-out, etc.) down to a maximum of four.

Keep Kids Happy

If you have children in the shoot, consider their specific needs.

• Scratchy clothes make a lot of frowns.
• Do they need snacks to keep them happy during the session?
• Can you bring noisy toys we can use to draw their attention to the camera?
• How will you reward their good behavior?

Exceptions

Remember, too, there are very good reasons for exceptions to each rule. You may want grandpa's pocket watch in the shoot, for example. Don't let these guidelines be too restrictive. If you have questions, please ask.

Fun!

Finally, remember: this is all for FUN!