Portrait Session-What to Wear?

The selection of proper clothing for your portrait is a critical factor in preparation for a successful portrait photoshoot. If the clothing is noticeable or overbearing in a portrait, it could easily become a distraction. Clothing that doesn’t attract attention to itself should be the ultimate goal for you. It could be the difference between a very successful portrait and just another picture.

You may be asked to change your clothing selection by a professional photographer before a portrait shoot if you don’t follow these basic guidelines.

Dark Clothing Tends to Slenderize

Darker clothing tends to help blend the bodies with the background so that the faces are the most important part of the photograph. That’s the reason dark colors are best suited for portrait photography, as they tend to slenderize the subject.

Tone Down Bright Colors

Bright colors attract attention away from the face and maybe reflective. That’s why you should avoid wearing red, bright pink, bright green, etc. When choosing lighter colors, stick to pastels, but avoid pink tones. Pale yellow and pale blue work well, especially with jeans or khaki pants. These colors work great in nature, for example, when you have a sunset photography session booked in.

Light Clothing Can Look Beautifully Fresh

If you’re worried about not appearing slender, it is safer to avoid white. That’s because white looks beautifully simple and fresh, and white shirts and blouses under a dark jacket are perfect for any portrait photography session.

Prints and Patterns Are a Definite No

You should avoid prints and patterns of any kind. No matter how small the print or pattern is, it will become a distraction. In the case of digital portrait photography, in particular, small patterns in clothing (even a small herring-bone or checkered pattern) can cause terrible distortions to appear in the portrait that is not originally there.

Avoid Short Sleeve Clothing and Short Pants

Long-sleeved clothing is an absolute must for portrait photography. For casual portraits, it is equally important to wear long pants instead of shorts. When arms and legs are exposed to the camera, there will be more flesh in the photograph in those areas than on the face itself. That can be a major distraction.

Proper Necklines for a Portrait

The most flattering neckline for anyone is something that comes up close to the neck. A wide-open neckline tends to thicken the neck in a photograph. On the other hand, a neckline that comes up to the base of the neck – a turtleneck or a v-neck top is the most flattering. It tends to slim down the person and frames the face beautifully.

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