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How to prepare for your Portraits

Plan your clothing & look

Planning Headshot Outfits

Think classic and timeless so your portraits last

An image that represents you and your story is important. Preparing for it does not have to be stressful. Here are a few tips on planning for the best outfits to wear.

For headshots, the most important clothing item is the shirt that you are wearing, because it needs to convey the right message, flatter you and not distract from your face. The goal  is to make you appear confident, and direct the viewers gaze to your face and your eyes.

Your clothing should also reflect the reason you are using your images. As example  a professional uniform such as athletes in sportswear, professionals in button up shirts/suit jackets, actors in casual clothing, models in trendy fashion.

YES:

  • Timeless and classic styles, such as button up shirts or sweaters
  • Blazers, jackets or cardigans to cover sleeveless shirts
  • Colours that flatter your skin tone, hair or eye colour
  • Clothing appropriate for your industry
  • Clean, wrinkle free tops without pet hair
  • Simplicity, minimal accessories
  • Simple hairstyles unless it is specific to your theme/look

NO:

  • Patterns, especially large, busy or bright ones
  • Shirts with text/logos/graphics
  • Short sleeves or sleeveless shirts (unless you work in an industry where it is important to showcase your shoulders and arms)
  • If you have long hair worn down, do not wear a shirt in the same colour as your hair.
  • Trendy clothing/jewlery that will date your images
  • Colours that wash you out

How to plan outfits for GROUP Portraits

Coordinate your look with large groups for best results

The best way for group and large group portraits to look cohesive and balanced (but not tooooooo matchy) is to choose one or two colours, and have everyone wear  one piece of clothing in that colour.

For example, if you choose ‘blue and grey’, each person would wear an item of clothing clothing in a blue  or a grey. This leaves some flexibility for each person to choose their outfit without having to go shopping just for one photoshoot.

Whichever colours you choose – it will unify the whole group without making everyone look like they are in uniform. See examples below.

Examples of Coordinated (yet not all the same colour) group outfits
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Portrait Photography
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