Now that the holidays are almost upon us, many people are taking the opportunity of family gatherings to get group portraits, or planning to have portraits made for greeting cards. Clothing decisions for portraits are as different as the families having portraits made. Some people opt for neutral, matching clothing, while others dress seasonably or choose a brighter palette. What you choose to wear will make a big impact on the overall feeling of the portrait, so here are some things to take into consideration.
Do you want a trendy look, or prefer something more classic?
Some people prefer a contemporary style, with fashions that mark today’s look, while others want photos that can hang on their walls for generations without necessarily being able to identify the exact decade it was taken. Vivid colors, bold patterns, and bright accessories tend to draw attention to the outfits, while subtle, solid colors keep the focus on the people.
What will be the setting?
Whether you choose an outdoor garden or an elaborate hall, choose clothing that fits with the formality of the setting. Keep the background in mind when you choose a color palette. If it will be cool during the early morning or late afternoon when the light is the best, remember to bring something warm as well!
What clothing is flattering from the camera’s viewpoint?
Clothes that are fitted to your body shape, but not tight, usually look the best. For males, I recommend long sleeves and pants, and for females, sleeves that come at least to the elbow and skirts and pants that extend below the knee. The reason for this is that anything that is flesh-toned is usually more noticeable in a portrait and often distracts from the faces. Also, having more skin showing usually makes people look bigger and attracts attention to all the skin imperfections one never notices otherwise, as well as any awkwardness in posing. Fashion models who expose more skin are trained to present their entire bodies beautifully to the camera, and are usually Photoshopped extensively afterwards.
If one desires to appear smaller, dark colors, or colors that match the background, tend to minimize size. Although it is not necessary to make everyone wear matching outfits, having clothing of a similar lightness and harmonious colors will make the portrait more cohesive and avoid having one member sticking out obtrusively.
Although many people choose plaids in fall and winter, those patterns can actually cause the digital camera sensor to create undesired artifacts. Also, they appear busy and often distract from the faces. Textures, however, usually photograph beautifully and add subtle interest without detracting from the subject.
If clothing wrinkles easily, make sure it is ironed, as wrinkles tend to be very noticeable. Also match shoes to the outfit and make sure they are clean and polished! I have a family portrait in which my eye goes to my toddler’s Thomas the Train sneakers immediately every time I look at it. Do as I say, not as I do.
Do you plan on wearing makeup?
Even people who normally minimize makeup may want to consider wearing it for a portrait. Photographic lighting often highlights shiny noses and foreheads, as well as any skin blemishes, so powder and foundation can minimize this, even if you usually skip it in your daily routine. I even suggest makeup on males for acne breakouts if they want to avoid retouching fees afterwards.
Unless the photo session is meant to be more of a fashion shoot, I would recommend keeping your makeup colors similar to what you would normally wear in the setting you are to be photographed. In other words, you don’t need to look like a Vogue cover if you are going to be photographed in the backyard.
You don’t have to follow every rule.
You can see even in the examples I’ve chosen that you can bend the rules and still make lovely portraits. Sometimes it is awkward to have everyone wearing long sleeves and pants on a hot July day or at the beach. These are just guidelines, but your choices ultimately depend on how you want to express who your family is.
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