A wedding photography and portrait photography service based in Perth, Western Australia.

What should we wear to a portrait shoot?

Here are some general suggestions regarding clothing. Where possible:

• Avoid bright reds, oranges and yellows as they often compete with a subject’s face and can reflect colours which render skin tones with an unwanted colour cast.
• Avoid clothes with logos, slogans, or other distractiing patterns.
• Avoid polka dots, bold stripes and large geometric designs which stand out and competes for attention when viewing a portrait.
• Avoid sleeveless tops or shorts. When arms and legs are exposed and there’s lots of skin visible, it can be a distraction which draws attention away from the face.

Generally speaking, solid colours and subtle patterns work well along with sleeved, collared tops. A textured top or jumper can add depth and richness to an image. A change of clothing can also allow for a variety of necklines, colours, styles and textures.

For group photos or family portraits it is important to coordinate outfits. Everyone should wear items that complement each other in style and colour. Choosing clothes with same or similar colours unifies the picture and keeps the focus on the people in the portrait.

Pregnancy and maternity portraits allow for a variety of clothing options. For example:

• A classic white blouse with a few buttons undone to expose your bump works really well with a white backdrop.
• Wearing some pretty lingerie lends itself to a bright, confident look against a white background.
• A cropped top and casual trousers/tracksuit bottoms in a dark colour can be effective with either a white or black backdrop. Against a black background, lighting can be used to add shadows and depth to your portrait.
• A tasteful nude, posed beautifully to show just what you want to show is often a winner.
• A body wrapped in a length of fabric, just below your bump, in either white or black – to match the background, is a proven pose.

Since your bump will be exposed, it is important to avoid wearing any tightly fitting clothes for at least a few hours before the photo shoot to avoid any marks left by waist bands etc.

Children, toddlers and babies photograph best in simple clothing. A popular choice is been white and pastels. Also, do not be afraid to choose bold colours or prints for children. Unlike adults, for which this is not the best choice, vivid colours (especially red, blue and green) can capture a child’s playful nature and create a livlely portrait. Props can also be a terrific addition, so consider bringing your child’s favorite book, stuffed animal or toy. Bringing along your child’s favourite music or song CD can also help create the right mood. We will supply the jelly beans for bribes!!!

The most important point to remember is EVERYTHING in the portrait photography session should be geared toward drawing attention TO the subject’s face, not AWAY FROM IT! So choose what you wear accordingly, and if it doubt call us to discuss your options.