I regularly get asked by clients what they should wear for a portrait session so thought I'd do a little blog on the subject. While I'll always advise to wear whatever you are comfortable in, here are some general pointers.
Adults
Avoid bright colours such as reds, oranges and yellows as in the finished photo these colours will draw the viewer's eye away from the subject (i.e. your face!).
Avoid bold stripes and loud patterns for the same reason. Subtle patterns and solid colours work best.Try and avoid logos or slogans as they will date. In the 80's my favourite t-shirt said 'Frankie Says Relax'. It was great at the time - but would I want a photo of me wearing it on my wall today?
Avoid short sleeves and shorts unless you are happy with your arms and legs! From a photography point of view, the extra skin will again draw the viewer's eyes from the face - also, I've never met an adult yet who is 100% happy with their bare arms and legs in a photo.
Newborns and Babies
I will always advise photographing young babies, especially newborns, in the nude or wrapped in simple wraps (which I have a supply of).
This will show off their gorgeous newborn skin and avoid their little frames being 'drowned' by clothing, resulting in the viewers' eye being distracted from baby in the finished photo.
There will be occasions however when you will want baby dressed, (e.g. for a family group photo). In this instance, keep it simple - white and pastels are good choices, avoid bright colours and patterns.
Older Babies and Children
Children traditionally look good in all white - it helps toward a classic portrait signifying the innocence of childhood.
Whilst I'd still advise avoiding loud patterns and logos - the 'avoid bold colours' rule for adults and newborns/small babies doesn't necessarily apply to children.
Vivid colours, especially the primary colours (red blue and yellow) can result in a lively, fun portrait.
Family Groups
Try to coordinate outfits so they complement each other. This doesn’t mean everyone needs to wear matching clothes (although as you can see here matching colours can look wonderful!).
Choosing different shades of the same colour, or soft, complementary tones, will help support the sense of togetherness in a family image.
I love this image because the coordinated colour palette highlights the close bond between parents and their daughters.
