I. Why Clothing Matters in Portraits
* Reflects Personality: Clothing can help showcase your subject's personality, style, and even profession.
* Creates a Mood: Dark colors evoke seriousness and sophistication, while light colors convey happiness and lightness.
* Avoids Distractions: Busy patterns, logos, or ill-fitting clothes can draw attention away from the subject's face.
* Complements the Setting: The clothing should work in harmony with the location, background, and overall theme of the shoot.
* Enhances Skin Tone: Certain colors can flatter or wash out skin tones.
II. Communicating with Your Subjects
* Start Early: Don't wait until the day before the shoot. Send your clothing guidelines at least a week or two in advance.
* Clear and Concise: Keep your instructions simple, easy to understand, and avoid being overly prescriptive.
* Positive and Helpful: Frame your advice in a helpful and encouraging way. Instead of "Don't wear this," say "This tends to work well..."
* Visual Examples: Include photos of examples of clothing that work well and clothing that doesn't. Pinterest is your friend!
* Offer a Consultation: If possible, offer a quick phone call or even a video chat to discuss clothing options. This is especially helpful for more formal portraits or when your client is unsure.
* Be Open to Questions: Let your subjects know they can reach out to you with any questions or concerns.
* Know Your Style: Tailor your advice to the aesthetic you want for the final product.
III. Key Clothing Guidelines to Share
Here's a comprehensive checklist of topics to cover:
A. General Advice
* Comfort is Key: Tell them to choose clothes they feel comfortable and confident in. This will translate into a more relaxed and natural expression.
* Fit is Crucial: Ill-fitting clothes look awkward in photos. Suggest well-fitting, tailored options. Avoid anything too tight or too baggy.
* Iron/Steam Everything: Wrinkles are very noticeable in photos. Tell them to iron or steam all clothing items.
* Consider the Season: Make sure the clothing is appropriate for the weather and location of the shoot.
* Bring Options: Encourage them to bring a few different outfits so you can choose the best one(s) on the day of the shoot. This gives you flexibility.
* Dress in Layers: Layers add depth and visual interest, and allow for quick outfit changes. (Cardigans, jackets, scarves)
* Coordinate (But Don't Match) (For Group Portraits): If it's a family or group portrait, suggest coordinating colors and styles, but avoid everyone wearing the exact same outfit. Think a color palette (e.g., earth tones, pastels, jewel tones). Send color palette ideas.
B. Colors
* Solid Colors are Best: Solid colors generally photograph better than busy patterns. They keep the focus on the face.
* Muted Tones and Earth Tones: These tend to be flattering and timeless. Think browns, greens, blues, creams, grays.
* Jewel Tones: Rich jewel tones (emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red) can also work well, especially for indoor portraits.
* Avoid Neons and Very Bright Colors: These can cast unflattering colors on the skin. Use them sparingly as accents.
* Consider the Background: Choose colors that complement the background. If shooting in a park with lots of green, avoid wearing green.
C. Patterns & Textures
* Avoid Busy Patterns: Large, distracting patterns (e.g., busy florals, bold stripes) can overwhelm the image and draw attention away from the face. Small, subtle patterns can sometimes work.
* Texture is Your Friend: Texture adds visual interest without being distracting. Think cable knit sweaters, lace, corduroy, linen.
* Consider the Size of the Pattern: If they insist on wearing a pattern, make sure it's scaled appropriately for their body size.
D. Necklines
* Flattering Necklines: V-necks and scoop necks are generally flattering as they elongate the neck.
* Avoid High Necklines: High necklines can make the neck look shorter and the face appear wider.
* Consider the Subject's Body Type: Different necklines flatter different body types. Do some research.
E. Accessories
* Keep it Simple: Avoid overly large or distracting accessories.
* Jewelry: Simple, classic jewelry is best. Avoid anything too flashy or trendy. Make sure it complements the outfit.
* Scarves: Scarves can add a pop of color and texture, but make sure they don't overwhelm the face.
* Hats: Hats can be a great accessory, but make sure they don't cast shadows on the face.
* Glasses: If they normally wear glasses, they should wear them for the photos. You can adjust the lighting to minimize glare. Also, consider them taking a pair without lenses.
F. What to Avoid (Specifically Mention These)
* Logos and Branding: Avoid clothing with large logos or branding, as they can be distracting.
* Words and Graphics: Steer clear of clothing with words or graphics, unless they are relevant to the portrait's purpose.
* Sheer or See-Through Clothing: These can be problematic in photos.
* Anything Uncomfortable: As mentioned before, comfort is key.
G. Specific Considerations Based on Portrait Type
* Professional Headshots: Focus on professional attire. Suits, blazers, button-down shirts, and blouses. Neutral colors are generally best.
* Family Portraits: Coordinate colors and styles, but avoid everyone wearing the exact same thing. Think about the location and the overall vibe you're going for.
* Engagement Photos: Choose outfits that reflect the couple's personality and style. Consider the location and the season.
* Maternity Photos: Flowing dresses and comfortable fabrics are great choices. Consider showcasing the baby bump.
* Senior Portraits: Allow the senior to express their individuality through their clothing choices.
* Children's Portraits: Choose clothing that is comfortable and allows for movement. Avoid anything too fussy or restrictive.
IV. Examples of Clothing Guidelines (Email Templates)
Here are two email template examples you can adapt:
Example 1: Simple & General
Subject: Your Portrait Session - Let's Talk Clothing!
Hi [Client Name],
I'm so excited for your portrait session on [Date]! To help you prepare, I wanted to share a few tips about clothing choices.
The goal is to wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Here are a few general guidelines:
* Solid Colors: Solid colors tend to photograph best.
* Comfort is Key: Choose clothes you feel good in.
* Iron/Steam: Please make sure your clothes are wrinkle-free.
* Bring Options: Bring a few different outfits so we can choose what looks best.
Avoid anything with large logos or busy patterns.
Feel free to bring layers (jackets, scarves) to add variety.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
Best,
[Your Name]
Example 2: More Detailed & Specific
Subject: Preparing for Your Family Portrait Session
Hi [Client Name],
I'm really looking forward to our family portrait session on [Date] at [Location]! To help you prepare, I've put together some guidelines for clothing choices to ensure we get beautiful photos.
Our Goal: We want to create timeless, natural-looking portraits that focus on your family's connection.
Clothing Suggestions:
* Color Palette: Let's aim for a coordinated color palette of [Suggest 2-3 colors, e.g., "earth tones like beige, brown, and olive green" or "soft pastels like light blue, lavender, and cream"]. These colors will complement the natural setting of [Location].
* Solids & Textures: Solid colors are best for most family members. Consider adding texture with a cable knit sweater, a linen shirt, or a corduroy jacket.
* Layers: Layers add depth and visual interest. Think cardigans, jackets, vests, and scarves.
* Fit: Make sure clothing is well-fitting. Not too tight, not too baggy.
What to Avoid:
* Logos: Please avoid clothing with large logos or branding.
* Busy Patterns: Large, distracting patterns can overwhelm the image.
* Neon Colors: Bright, neon colors can cast unflattering colors on the skin.
* Matching Outfits: Avoid everyone wearing the exact same thing. We want a coordinated look, but not a uniform.
Accessories:
* Keep accessories simple and understated.
Please Bring:
* Each family member should bring 2-3 outfit options so we can choose the best ones on the day of the shoot.
I'm Here to Help!
If you have any questions about clothing choices, or if you'd like to send me photos of your outfits for feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Best,
[Your Name]
V. The Day of the Shoot
* Be Prepared to Make Suggestions: Even if you've provided guidelines, be ready to offer advice on the day of the shoot.
* Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up: If something isn't working, politely suggest an alternative.
* Focus on the Positive: Always be encouraging and supportive.
In summary: Guiding your subjects on what to wear is a crucial part of creating stunning portraits. By communicating clearly, providing helpful advice, and being open to questions, you can ensure that their clothing complements the overall aesthetic and helps to create timeless, memorable images. Good luck!