Harle Photography Family Portrait Clothing Tips

1. A great portrait starts with wearing the right shirt. If more formal, for guys, wear a button down shirt with or without a tie or a sweater. For girls, a V-neck or scoopneck shirt or sweater looks great! Choose a medium to dark colored shirt with little or no pattern. Distracting patterns or really light colors take attention away from your face. Also longer sleeved shirts work better. Sleeveless shirts tend to draw more attention to a person's arms than face.

2. Decide if the portrait is to be more dressy or casual and have everyone in the portrait dress up to the same extent. Also be sure to dress from head to toe with an outfit that works together, including socks and shoes because some shots may be full body.

3. Bring along makeup and any hair styling products that you or your family members may use.   For ladies make sure to keep your makeup neutral and natural.   Stay away from bold colors that may look dated in a couple years.   Remember you will be enjoying these portraits for many years!

4. If you are not already wearing your clothing choice for the portrait, bring clothing on hangers instead of in a bag so your outfits won't be wrinkled when you arrive.

5. Glasses - if you have glasses we recommend asking your eye doctor to borrow a pair of your frames for the portrait session.   He may also be able to pop the lenses out your own pair.   This will eliminate the unwanted glass glare that is unavoidable in most portraits. If this is not possible, we will work to eliminate as much glasses glare that may arise.

What Not To Wear:

1. Stripes or distracting patterns.   These types of clothing can make you look heavier in portraits.   Solid, dark colored clothing can take up to 22 pounds off in the portrait and busy and distracting patterns can add up to 22 pounds.

2. Trendy, outrageous fashions.   Styles change so quickly that your family portrait will look outdated fast.

3. Don't wear lip gloss because it can add unwanted white glare on your lips in the portraits.

4. Spaghetti straps.   Thin straps on an outfit draw attention away from your face and onto your shoulders and arms.   This tends to make people look heavier than they actually are.

5. White shirts, unless your whole outfit is white.   White draws attention away from your face and focuses the attention on the shirt, not you.   It also tends to wash you out.