Suggestions For Looking Your Best
How to look your best:
Portraits are best when the viewer’s eye is drawn to your face.
Choosing the right clothing is a very important detail that can add or take
away so much from the final product. Logos, stripes or very loud colors can
draw attention away from your face, the most important thing in your portrait.
Below are some very important tips we recommend you follow in order to look your
best for your portrait session.
Close-Up Portraits:
For your yearbook picture, or traditional head and shoulders portrait, choose
a shirt of solid color. Guys can choose a suit, sport coat or sweater. For girls,
a plain dress, sweater, or shirt with a simple neckline often looks the best.
Both guys and girls should wear long sleeves to keep the eye from being drawn to the
flesh of the arms. We strongly recommend a solid color, you will be happier with the
final portrait.
Clothing Color & Style really make a Difference:
Proper clothing allows the face to dominate the portrait, with all other elements being
secondary. Against a medium or dark background, colors that photograph best for the
yearbook portrait and other close-up poses are medium to dark tones of blue, brown,
rust, wine, or green. Keep in mind that darker shades tend to be more slimming and
figure forgiving.
Against a medium or dark background avoid light colors that approximate flesh tones
such as beige, tan, peach, pink, white, and yellow. These colors not only dominate a
portrait and overpower the face, but also drain color from the face and make the wearer
appear unusually pale. Keep in mind the following tips when choosing your outfits:
- Bare shoulders or tops with "spaghetti straps" often make the subject look broader,
and draw the eye away from the face.
- Especially bright colors such as red, orange or pink, will ruin a portrait because
their intensity overwhelms the face.
- Stripes, plaids, checks, and bold prints also draw the eye away from the face and do
not photograph well.
Informal poses and special styles tell the world who you are!
Informal portraits invite much more variety in clothing options.
Wear something that describes your personality and that you are the most
comfortable in. Do you enjoy being more casual or dressed up? Girls can
choose a favorite sports outfit, dress, prom dress, shorts, jeans outfit –
the clothes you really enjoy. Possible choices for boys include a suit,
jeans, a casual or sports outfit, or a school or other jacket.
- Seniors who like white-on-white portraits should bring white, black,
or a very pale pastel outfit.
- Black is a good choice for black and white portraits or for a
dramatic look in color.
Express Your Personality:
If you have a hobby, then bring it with you! Musical instruments,
art supplies, cheerleading or athletic uniforms, band uniforms,
stuffed animals, skateboards, pets, girlfriends, boyfriends,
and buddies. Get Creative!
Enjoy the Fun of an Outdoor Session:
Bring a casual outfit that will blend with natural outdoor settings.
Earth tones are an excellent choice. Remember that simple styles
photograph the best.
If you have an outdoor hobby, such as hunting or four-wheeling for
example, bring your gear along. We can also photograph you with your
car, bike, or motorcycle.
Planning for Your Session:
Hair
Don’t try a new hairstyle just for your portrait session, and if
you need a haircut, do this at least two weeks prior to your
appointment session.
Skin Problems
Don’t worry if you develop a skin problem before your portrait
session. Our finished portraits are retouched and eliminate blemishes,
soften harsh lines, and smooth stray hairs.
Glasses
Problems with glasses can lead to extra retouching charges. We can
remove normal glare on glasses, but tinted lenses cannot be lightened.
If your glasses are tinted or exceptionally thick, they can distort
the way the camera photographs the eye. In this case, you should
ask your optometrist for a pair of empty frames to wear for your
portrait session. If you have any questions regarding your glasses
or extra retouching charges on glasses, please ask us.
Braces
Braces can be removed
for an additional fee. However, some
orthodontists are willing to remove braces for your portrait
session. But, our professional portrait lab will remove them for
a fee and is pain free.
Tanning
Tanning is not recommended prior to your portrait session.
Sunburns or uneven skin tone can create additional retouching
charges that can get costly. It is not recommended to go tanning
or get a sunburn at least one week prior to your appointment.
For Girls...
Makeup can also affect the way your portrait looks. A fresh, natural
look is always pleasing, and an “evening” look for make-up also works
well. It is recommended that you bring along pressed powder in case
you need to touch up your face between outfit changes. Powder also
helps to eliminate or at least reduce facial shine.
Lipstick or lip gloss is recommended, or even chapstick for dry
lips. This will give your portraits a finished look.
Jewelry looks nice in a portrait, but be sure to keep it simple
using the “less is more” rule.
For Guys...
A fresh shave is a must! If you have a beard or mustache, make
sure it is trimmed to your liking.