What do I wear to my portrait session?!
I get asked this every day, so here is my quick list of recommendations, do’s and dont’s:
- solids are better than patterns
- v-necks will make a shorter neck look longer
- avoid pastels for fairer skin
- wear clothes that fit PROPERLY: too baggy will make you look frumpy, or too tight will make you look like you’re busting out – either can be exaggerated on camera
- blouses – PLEASE have a properly fitting blouse that doesn’t pull at the buttons at the boob area lol. (can you tell this happens alot? 🙂 )
- SIMPLE jewelry, nothing distracting or too large (big believer in less is more, i want them to look at your eyes, not your earrings!)
- bring a scarf we can add on for color if needed, like a pashmina, not a fluffy scarf or shawl, a smooth one.
- have your makeup professional done or contact me for my makeup artist, she’s the best! Contouring is all the rage now and photographs beautifully.
- Hair too, consider a blow-out before you come, smooth hair photographs really well. If you have curly hair that is affected by humidity, this especially applies to you.
- Avoid tanks, sleeveless, or cap sleeves if you have larger arms
- Don’t wait til the last minute, try everything on ahead of time and even have a friend help you – take a few selfies while you’re at it and see for yourself before you get to the studio
- Bring makeup with you, brush, etc
- I was told once by a marketing exec “dress for the job you want, not the job you have”. Also in similar vein, if you are a professional, dress professionally. If you are in a more creative space, dress to that audience; navy blue suit may confuse your massage therapy prospects.
- If you feel a prop would be useful, please bring. IE, you’re a baker, maybe chefs jacket, or wheat, or rolling pin, or something… better to have more options and not use them, then wish you’d tried and didn’t get them.
Most of this applies to men too! Hope this helps!
See you at your session!
Case Study
Pictured above is my headshot, taken for me by my amazing photographer friend Don Toothaker for a magazine feature I was in. I wore black, since I am not a thin person and it seems to be the standard photographer color, not sure why – but I brought my teal pashmina scarf for a smidge of color. Teal is the one color that looks good on positively everyone. Do yourself a favor and get something in teal! The camera is above my head, so as not to reveal my growing chin collection. I didn’t do my hair or makeup, oh well. This was taken at the end of a long day of shooting in a kitchen, so was tired. It’s indicative of my style of post-production. I lightened the bags, but didn’t remove them completely, unfortunately they are my new reality. We can’t remove it all, otherwise people will think you are vain, which means you are egocentric and self-focussed – don’t be afraid to reveal who you are. You’re awesome! They’ll see that.
