Family Portrait Time

So I was asked once...what is the best way to create a nice family portrait?
So, the first part of the answer is to...get a good photographer.
Our goal is to create portraits as individual as the subjects we photograph. Our tools include various styles, techniques and settings that make each portrait a unique work of art.

Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the clothing that you choose is very important to your portrait's sucess. These guidelines will help you to make important decisions about the clothing and style of your artwork.

In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical. When decorating a home, a major concern is to coordinate the colors and tones of the walls, carpets, drapes and furniture. Similar coordination is necessary when selecting clothing for a group portrait. Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright as compared to the rest of the group. Proper clothing selection makes the difference between a portrait that appears to be a group of seemingly unrelated individuals and one in which every member of the family "belongs" to the group.

Clothing for small groups or couples should choose simple outfits within the same tonal ranges. When subjects appear in a mixture of light and dark tones together, there is visual confusion - as the light color comes forward, and the dark recedes. When this happens, one person becomes dominate and appears heavier than in reality.

Turtle necks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style. Avoid very wide or particulary deep V-neck garments or bulky cowlnect sweaters that completely hide the neck.

For closeup portraits, long sleeves are essential for teens and adults, as bare arms call attention to themselves and will overpower the face. The goal of any classical fine portrait is to direct the viewer's eye to the face(s) in the portrait. All other elements should be secondary. For individuals, simple long-sleeved garments in medium to dark tones of brown, gray, burgandy, green or blue are pleasing choices when photographed against a medium or dark background. When looking to achieve a more contemporary look and feel for your portrait, dress in lighter pastels, blues, green and pinks, when photographed against a white background will achieve a light airy high-key art portrait.

Because darker clothing is slimming, it often is a good choice for close-up, full-length or three-quarter portraits in which a medium to dark background is used. Bold stripes, plaids, and prints are visually confusing and do not photograph well. Brights colors such as pink and orange will overwhelm the face and ruin a portrait. Light colors that approximate flext tones will overpower the face and make the subject look unusually pale.
Women being photographs in full length should wear long skirts, pants or dark stockings in order to keep the eye from being directed toward the legs and away from the face. If feet are to show in the portrait, make sure that shoes and socks are in keeping with the visual intent of the portrait.
Don't forget that casual clothing copliments portraits made in outdoor environments.

Men should be clean shaven or facial hair should be carefully groomed, with their hair cut about one week prior to the portrait session. Women should be photographed whenever they are happiest with their hair in relation to the time it is styled.

Skin Tone Considerations
Whether working with light or dark complexions, the object is always for the face to dominate the portrait. Accordingly, skin highlights must be the lightest, brightest, or most intense areas of the portrait. So when a medium to dark background is used, all subjects photograph best in medium to dark tones, whatever the skin tone. Having said that, please allow me to completely contradict myself. One fabulous new trend in portraiture is the use of high-key or very light almost white photographs, where the dark areas draw your eye. We do both here and enjoy a wide variety of applications from both.

I hope this helps clear up the mystery of how to make a cohesive family portrait. Please feel free to call with questions, we love to help out. We also make house calls, at no charge, to help you determine exactly the size and style of portrait to decorate your home.