What to Wear
Clothing plays a significant role in creating a beautiful and timeless portrait. Our goal is to ensure that wardrobe choices enhance the overall image rather than distract from it. The focus of every portrait should remain on the subjects themselves — their expressions, personalities, and connection — not on the clothing.
When selecting an outfit, choose something that you feel confident and flattering in. The level of formality is entirely up to each client. Most families and individuals choose either a formal look or a refined, sophisticated casual style.
Formal Attire
Men: Suit or tuxedo.
Women: Formal gown or cocktail dress.
Smart Casual Attire
Think of dressing as though you were going out to dinner at an upscale restaurant.
Men: Sport jacket or sweater paired with trousers or dark dress denim.
Women: A dress, trousers, or dark dress denim paired with a blouse or sweater.
Most clients prefer a classic, timeless style for their portraits. We recommend avoiding overly trendy clothing, large logos, or bold stripes and busy patterns, as these elements can quickly date a portrait.
For group portraits, clothing should complement one another so that no single person’s outfit draws undue attention. Coordinated tones and styles help create a cohesive and harmonious image.
In general, medium to darker tones photograph beautifully. Clients often select darker earth tones or rich jewel tones, which add depth and elegance without overpowering the subject.
For adult women, outfits with sleeves are highly recommended. Sleeves naturally draw attention toward the face rather than the arms, helping to maintain visual focus where it matters most.
Our goal is always to highlight faces and expressions. The greatest area of contrast in the portrait should be the face rather than the waistline. For this reason, we discourage outfits that are lighter on top and darker on the bottom.
Children’s Portraits
Many clients choose lighter tones for children, as they tend to feel softer and more youthful on camera.
Boys: Tan or khaki trousers paired with a lighter top such as white, light blue, or soft pastel tones.
Girls: Simple dresses in solid, lighter tones such as pink, ivory, white, or pale blue.
Colors and tones should complement what siblings or other family members are wearing to maintain visual harmony.
All subjects should be dressed from head to toe, as feet may be visible in the portrait. Some families also choose to have their children photographed barefoot for a more relaxed and natural look.