When preparing for your portrait...
The goal of any fine portrait is to direct the viewer's attention to the face or faces in the portrait.

Proper clothing allows the face to dominate the portrait. All other elements should be secondary.

Avoid overdoing it at the tanning salon prior to a photo session. You may burn or freckles may become more prominent. Tanning lotions may cause your skin to appear splotchy when makeup is applied.

We have found that simple long-sleeved garments in medium to dark tones of brown rust, burgundy, green, or blue are pleasing choices when photographed against a dark background. Consider avoiding light colors that approximate flesh tones such as beige, tan, peach, pink, white, and yellow. Darker shades are usually more flattering and slimming.

Bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints are confusing and do not photograph well.

In some instances, very bright colors, such as red and orange, can completely overpower the face and ruin a portrait.

Light-colored clothing may call attention to itself and away from the face. Light colors are appropriate against a white or pastel background or, with a dark background when an interpretive "pictorial" study is planned.

Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges. Light and dark tones together can create visual confusion, as one subject comes forward and the other recedes.

In a family group, clothing coordination can be critical. When decorating a home, a major concern is to coordinate the colors and tones of the walls, carpets, draperies and furniture. This kind of coordination also is necessary when selecting clothing for a group portrait. Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright as compared to the rest of the group.

Avoid the look of one person standing out because of a bold, distracting pattern or a contrasting light top when everyone else is dressed darker (especially if that person is heavier).

The visual statement made by a family portrait should be "Here is a family in which each individual holds a place of equal importance" as opposed to a family portrait that says "Here is a group of seemingly unrelated individuals."

Clothing that blends harmoniously creates timeless portraiture because the viewer's eye goes directly to the subjects’ faces.

Clothing in medium shades compliment portraits made in outdoor environments. Casual or dressy, everyone should look like they belong together. Solid tops with nice jeans or khakis work well outdoors. Sweaters are excellent when the weather is chilly. Coordinate the colors so no one person stands out.

In most instances, very simple garments always photograph best.

Turtlenecks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style. Avoid very wide or particularly deep V-neck garments as well as bulky cowl neck sweaters that completely hide the neck.

Considered wearing long sleeves. Bare arms may call attention to themselves, and often overpower the face.

Women being photographed in full length should wear long skirts, pants, or dark stockings in order to keep the eye from being directed toward the legs and away from the face, unless it is your objective to do so.

If feet are to show in the portrait, make certain shoes and stockings are in keeping with the visual intent of the portrait.

Men should have their hair cut about one week before the portrait session.

Women should be photographed whenever they are happiest with their hair in relation to the time it is styled. This is not the time to experiment with a new hairstyle or extra makeup. Use makeup to cover blemishes if possible.

If you normally wear glasses, please wear them for the portrait. Sometimes this necessitates a bit more adjusting of the lights and positioning to avoid reflections. We will do everything we can to reduce glare in glasses. We suggest non-glare coated lenses or empty frames or contacts to avoid reflections. Glass glare can be retouched for an additional fee if necessary.

"Photo-gray" glasses photograph black outdoors and very dark in the studio.

Home portraits (indoors) are usually created in your living room or den. We will use your natural home environment. We can bring a plain background to your home for an addition fee.

Whether the in-home portrait is formal or casual, wear solid clothing in the colors that coordinate with the colors in the room.