TIPS TO ENSURE
A SUCCESSFUL PORTRAIT SESSION
Rebecca and I hope this pamphlet will help you prepare for your portrait session. It is important that you are completely comfortable during your session so we will try to answer questions you may have and provide some tips that will put you at ease in front of the camera. Pleasing portraits are the result of efforts on both sides of the camera. Your informed preparation will result in a more successful and pleasing portrait. Items you and your loved ones have control over include wardrobe selection, a very important consideration that we will touch on below, makeup, facial hair & hair style. We will touch on these issues and their impact on portraiture to ensure you are comfortable and feel good on your side of the camera.
Environmental Portraiture:
Rebecca and I practice Environmental Portraiture. We strive to capture classic images of you and your loved ones in your natural environment – at locations that are familiar, comforting and significant to you.
Environmental Portraiture is not limited to outdoor locations. Many clients prefer to have images taken at their home or office. Photographing in clients homes often helps people feel “at home” and relaxed. This is especially helpful when small children are involved. Imagine a classic portrait that includes family heirlooms from generations past.
Give some thought to this option – together we can create unique images that your family will cherish for years to come. If you choose to have portraits at your home we will respect your belongings and will not disrupt your home furnishings in any way.
If you prefer an outdoor session you may want to consider locations you are familiar with. A favorite spot that will invoke fond memories in the years to come would be perfect. Popular locations include: backyards/front yards, local parks, beach locations, church grounds, sports venues, shopping malls, general city scenes, or …. you name it. Our style is portable and can accommodate locations that you wouldn’t normally consider for portraiture. If you have no particular preference we can discuss location options. Rebecca and I know of many locations that will be memorable and enhance your portrait.
Dressing for your session
Most people realize that snapshots have a tendency to “add a few pounds’ to the subjects. That’s actually true and not just your imagination. A skilled photographer will pose subjects in a way that will eliminate the “added pounds” and reduce the appearance of a weak eye, double chin, beer belly and any other features we would prefer not to emphasize. Rebecca will pose you in a way that will flatter your natural features. We will turn your body at the correct angle, consider lighting options to slim facial features, choose appropriate camera angles and employ many other “tried and true” techniques that highlight your natural beauty.
For children, keep their comfort in mind by making sure they have on clothes that are comfortable and shoes that don’t hurt them when we have them walk. We have patience when working with little ones and trying to capture their own personalities in the photos. So you as parent’s can relax and enjoy this time as a family during the photography session.
Here are some universal tips for clothing. They are guidelines, not hard & fast rules. First & foremost, we want you to be comfortable and feel confident in your appearance. With clothing, simplicity is the key.
• Solid colors are slimming and work best. Plaids and strips and other “loud” clothing designs detract from the portrait – we want the focus of the image to be your eyes and expression – we want the image to convey your personality which transcends any clothing fashion of the day
• Coordinate your clothing. Group portraits are enhanced when everyone has similar tones. Having everyone wear white shirts/tops is a classic look but not required. However, avoid mixed tones – have everyone wear either dark colors or light colors. As an example, blue jeans with red shirts can add pop to an image if everyone is coordinated. On the other hand, having a mix of colors and tones can be very distracting
• Avoid tinted glasses, whenever possible. If you feel more comfortable with your everyday glasses we will make slight adjustments to eliminate lens glare. Tinted glasses compromise the lighting and mask your eyes – a key focal point for all portraits that, when hidden, result in an unnatural look
• Loose fitting clothes will avoid accenting any midriff (or other) bulge. Clothing should not be too tight or too baggy. In addition, sleeveless shirts can often be unflattering. Be certain you are comfortable about any exposed body areas
• Ensure shoes complement clothing. Dark socks are preferred
• Men should watch for “five-o’clock shadow”. We schedule outdoor sessions in late afternoon hours to take advantage of the “golden hour” when the sun is most flattering. Try to shave just prior to the session.
• Women should avoid using more makeup than normal and avoid any new hairstyle. Stay with what you’re familiar and comfortable with.
• Consider props that are part of your lifestyle – musical instrument, motorcycle, sports car, boat
• Pets are always welcome
We hope this pamphlet has answered any questions you may have. Our goal is to ensure a portrait session that is fun and relaxing. The more comfortable you are the easier it will be for us to capture timeless images that highlight your beauty and portray the personalities of your loved ones (including pets!).
If you have any remaining questions or would like to discuss any aspect of your portrait session please feel free to call us. Also, if you see any interesting photographs that you would like to re-create share them with us.
