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Studio Portraits > What to wear for family pictures

What to wear for group
or family portraits

Tips for everyone

			Wear similar tones of clothing
			Think in black and white tones; if everyone wears dark blue and one person wears white, the eye will be drawn to the person wearing white. If there's a reason that one person should stand out, then do it. If not, change your color selections.
			Denim in any color for pants and jackets works well. It's classic, it's informal and it comes in lots of great colors. Best of all, it never goes out of style.
			Groom your hands and nails; they usually end up in some pictures.

Avoid patterns, logos, branding, and busy designs

Stripes, plaids, checks and busy patterns like paisley all tend to be distracting.

Avoid anything shiny or reflective

Avoid large, shiny objects like belt buckles, bold jewelry and reflective watches.

Unless your watch has a story, it's best to take it off during your portrait session. In fact, it's best to take it off well before you arrive so the marks on your wrist have a chance to fade.

Classic, elegant jewelry like pearls always looks appropriate.

Beware the color red

It attracts attention! If you want to stand out on purpose, wear red. If you choose red for everybody, it's best if the reds match...

Caveat - if your personality demands that you break these rules, then by all means, wear plaid with stripes in multi colors.

White makes for a summery, informal family portrait. Note the khaki bottoms for everybody.	White always works for family portraits, no matter what time of the year it is.

Note how the little girl stands out in these photos. Since she is their pride and joy, maybe it's not a bad thing?

Note how the reds fight for your eye	Note how great the blues look together
Look how well these neutral tones allow you to focus on the faces.	Even in color, the tones work well together.

			Portrait Tips for Women
			Wear long sleeves, or at least three-quarter length sleeves.
			Choose v-necks, square-necks and turtlenecks.
			Avoid cowlnecks and other floppy necklines.
			Avoid buttondowns and crewnecks unless you have a very long neck.
			Classic jewelry, like pearls, always makes a great choice.
			Blouses with collars that open and lie flat look great over a jacket.
			Layers look great. A single-breasted jacket over a tight-fit, square-neck top looks fabulous.
			Fitted tops always look better than loose-fitting clothing.
			No matter what you choose, make sure you can cross your arms comfortably without the shoulders riding up.

This woman has a gorgeous, long neck and gets away with the round neck.	I think this looks great
This v-neck is flattering for any neck shape.	The zippered jacket is both casual and informal and sets a very different tone from a single-breasted suit jacket.
This is a classic look. Note the beautiful, light accent of the blouse that barely peeks out. The dark color choice is professional, neat and forces you to look at her face.	This is a great neckline and color for an informal portrait. This works for headshots or a small business headshot.

			Portrait Tips for Men
			The more formal the portrait, the darker your colors must be. You can get away with light colors for an informal portrait or location shots in the summer on the beach.
			Turtlenecks look great, especially under jackets.
			Do not wear a jacket that is much lighter than what you're wearing underneath it.
			Crewnecks sweaters or layers work fine on men. Don't be afraid to wear white t-shirts under buttondown shirts.

This is a classic look suitable for headshots.	This is a great choice for the creative executive. Note how you look at the watch!
This flecked sweater doesn't work. Choose a solid color.	If you need color shots, choose a white undershirt instead of a colored one.

			Portrait Tips for Children
			Dress kids in similar tones. Even though kids may be attached to their superhero t-shirts, let them wear them to the portrait session, just not during it!
			Kids can get away with brighter colors and patterns, but avoid logos and branding.

Even though kids love their cartoon t-shirts, they look dated quickly and are too informal even for casual portraits.	Bright, summery colors are fine as are light-hearted props like these fairy wings.
Classic, timeless kids clothing. Good as a GAP Kids ad!	Watch the props. If you can part with bracelets that are tied on, it's always best.

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Photography studios with advice on what to wear to a photo shoot

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