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How to Dress for Your Portrait Session
Because Faige’s Portraits haves a rich painting-like feel, most people choose to dress formal. For many this becomes the most elegant portrait they will possess in a lifetime.
Many feel that the overly formal look is not for them and would rather dress in, simple, casual clothing.
That works as well as long as you follow certain basic rules.
Most of our portraits do not drop below the thigh area ( except for very small children whose whole body is usually seen) so you do not have to worry about footwear.
The clothing needs to be kept simple and coordinated. No stripes, polka dots or other loud patterns. Simple, solid clothing works best. However you need to make sure that the colors are coordinated if there will be a group portrait.
The point of keeping the clothing simple is to direct the viewers eye to the faces of the subjects.
When there is too much busyness in the clothing of the subjects, they eye is drawn to the clothing not to the subjects faces
These are the elements of a truly fine portrait.
Though darker clothing is more dramatic and does keep the light reflecting off the face and eyes; we have found that lighter clothing can work as well.
If you choose to formal
Men: Dark jackets (tuxedo or suit), white shirt & tie.
Ladies: Dark (black, navy, burgundy, dark green, etc.) dress or gown. White lace around collar is okay. Little or no pattern is preferred. Long sleeve is highly encouraged on all ladies over 30 years old. Classic jewelry such as diamonds, pearls etc. are encouraged.
Young Girls: Dark velvet dresses are preferred, but ivory, cream or off white are also acceptable If you don’t have velvet, any classic dress with little or no pattern will do.
Young Boys: Same as men or a solid dark sweater. If under 4, a white shirt with bow tie can be appropriate. Little Lord Faunterloy style outfits for little boys are also okay.
Casual Wear
Jeans or solid color chinos are fine along with solid shirts. Pull over sweaters, crew necks or turtle necks in general seem to work better than button down shirts for casual portraits.
For sample of clothing that people have worn see
Individual portraits of children, groups of children and family portraits.
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