Tips For A Successful Family Portrait           

Overall Look – decide what type of background you want.

 High Key – Creates a simple, bright, fresh look.  Focus is entirely on the subjects.  Great for casual dress and poses.  High Key wall portraits will work with any type of décor.  Great for wall portraits in modern interiors.  Best done in the studio with our white background and floor. 

Low Key – Dark backgrounds either deep gray-blue or bronze-brown tones.  Great for that formal look or formal outfits.  Wall portraits blend very well in traditional room décor.    Can be done on location with our portable backdrops or in a darker setting on location without our backdrops.

 Mid Key – Not the stark white and not the deep gray-blue or earth tones.  These backdrops are colored to provide a softer background so the subjects blend in just a touch.  Great for kids with some pastel colors in their outfits.

 Draped Look – Solid color fabric backgrounds with flowing pleats and folds.  Adds subtle interest to the background. 

Outdoors – Behind our studio, at your home, at a park or other special location.  Outdoor portraits are best taken when the sun is not shining brightly overhead.  The absolute best times are during the first few hours after sunrise and during the last few hours before sunset.  As the time pushes closer to high noon the lighting becomes less desireable.  Somewhat overcast days can work well midday.

Clothing -  Simple, clean and unstained is preferred.  Long sleeves are much better than short sleeves.  Avoid strong or large patterns. 

 High Key – white or pastel colors are best.  Avoid very dark colors.

 Low Key – Mid-tones or deeper solid colors.  Darker tone will look more formal.  Avoid light colors & white.

 Hair - Wear your hair in a style you are comfortable with.  It may be risky to get a totally new hair look the day before the session.  Check for fly-a-ways and frizzies before the session begins.  Hair should be neat.  Bring your own hairspray or styling aids for quick touch-ups between clothing changes.

Makeup

 Women - Keep your make-up natural and fresh.  But for photography it should be heavier than normal.  Base foundation helps improve the skin tone.

 Men – Freshly shaven is a must.  We cannot soften 5 o’clock shadow.  For a close shave, shave just after showering when beard is soft.  Shave twice.  Shave the first time with the beard grain and shave the second time against the grain.

Jewelry & Accessories - Keep it simple.  It should compliment your outfit and your body.

Sun - Avoid excessive sun or tanning beds so your complexion doesn’t get a burned look.  Sunburn can make your skin dry out and accentuate eye bags.  Dark tans will accentuate oily skin.  Stay out of the sun two days prior to the session.

Rest – Get plenty of rest the night before your portrait so your skin looks it’s best and your expressions are natural and relaxed.  If you show up to your session tired, your portraits may not be as pleasing as they could have been.

Attitude – Spend a little time thinking about what “look” you want and then selecting your outfit.  Let us know what you like and what you don’t like.  Plan on showing us smiles and the serious side.  Then relax and have fun during your special time at our studio!