What To Wear for Portraits Ottawa Photographer

Clothes, Colours & Shoes: When it comes to colours in general, try to dress everyone in a similar colour, psychologists say it shows "closeness". Feel free to bring by a couple of tops if you are not sure which will photograph best. Try and avoid large areas of light pastels, bold stripes, bold patterns, or anything that is too distracting, a subtle pattern is fine. Also avoid short sleeves; upper arms always tend to photograph wider than they are in real life. Keep in mind that dark colours are "slimming". We are just doing waist up portraits so don't worry about your shoes. Keep jewellery simple, a conservative is always a safe choice.

Coordinating Clothes: The night before your portrait try laying out all the clothes the family will wear on the bed, ask yourself if the clothes match or if there is something that just doesn't belong or is too distracting.

Hands: Ladies hands are often included in portraits, they add femininity and elegance. Having your nails done is important.

Makeup: Remember to bring along some makeup (lipstick and powder) for touch ups. We have a couple of shades of cover-up sticks just in case you need some.

Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.

Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.

For "Dressing to Look Slim" Tips Click Here

Couples Portrait Guidelines

Clothes, Colours & Shoes: Decide if you would prefer a casual of more formal portrait.

For Casual: Consider denim, similar sweaters or turtlenecks. Pick matching colours or at least similar tones.

For More Formal: Stay with dark, solid colours. Feel free to bring by a couple of tops if you are not sure which will photograph best. Try and avoid large areas of light pastels, bold stripes, bold patterns, or anything that is too distracting, a subtle pattern is fine. Also avoid short sleeves; upper arms always tend to photograph wider than they are in real life. Keep in mind that dark colours are "slimming". We are just doing waist up portraits so don't worry about your shoes. Keep jewellery simple, a conservative is always a safe choice.

Hands: Ladies hands are often included in portraits, they add femininity and elegance. Having your nails done is important. Hands usually are included with couple, engagement and anniversary portraits to show off the rings.

Makeup: Remember to bring along some makeup (lipstick and powder) for touch ups. We have a couple of shades of cover-up sticks just in case you need some.

Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.

Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.

For "Dressing to Look Slim" Tips Click Here

Children's Portraits

What to bring: Please bring a couple of outfits. Denim overalls are always cute, and white, off white or pastels are also nice. It's a good idea to bring a couple of favourite toys.

Baby Portraits

What to bring: Please bring a couple of outfits. Denim overalls are always cute, and white, off white or pastels are also nice. It's a good idea to bring a couple of favourite toys. Sometimes with the younger babies it's smart to include Mom in a couple of shots, so you should bring a casual white, cream or off white top too.

Business Portrait, Female

Clothes, Colours, & Shoes: When it comes to clothes, keep in mind that you want to appear professional but friendly. When in doubt about what to wear, a slightly conservative look is best. A jacket in blue, navy, grey, burgundy, or black are always safe choices. Try and avoid large areas of light pastels, bold stripes, bold patterns or anything that is too distracting, a subtle pattern is fine. Also avoid short sleeves if a jacket is not worn, upper arms always tend to photograph wider than they are in real life. Keep in mind that dark colours are "slimming.” Business portraits are just head and shoulders so don't worry about your shoes. Keep jewellery simple, again conservative is always a safe choice.

The Psychology of Colour: For business portraits you must know that:

- The "Don't Trust Me" Colour is Green, avoid it!

- The "Cheap Image" colour is Purple, avoid it!

- The "Unsophisticated or Slob" colour is Brown, avoid it!

- The Colours that say "Success and Trust Worthy" are Black and Navy

Hands: Ladies hands are often included in portraits, they add femininity and elegance. Having your nails done is important.

Makeup: Remember to bring along some makeup (lipstick and powder) for touch ups. We have a couple of shades of cover-up sticks just in case you need some.

Think about the image you want to project in your portrait, conservative, friendly, artsy, approachable. I would be happy to discuss ideas with you.

Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.

Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.

For "Dressing to Look Slim" Tips Click Here

Business Portrait, Male

Clothes, Colours, & Shoes: When it comes to clothes, keep in mind that you want to appear professional but friendly. When in doubt about what to wear, a slightly conservative look is best. A jacket in blue, navy, grey, burgundy, and black are always safe choices. Try and avoid bold stripes, bold patterns, or anything that is too distracting, a subtle pattern is fine. Keep in mind that dark colours are "slimming.” Business portraits are just head and shoulders so don't worry about your shoes. Try to shave an hour or so before your portrait, five o'clock shadows tend to photograph darker than they appear.

The Psychology of Colour: For business portraits you must know that:

- The "Don't Trust Me" Colour is Green, avoid it!

- The "Cheap Image" colour is Purple, avoid it!

- The "Unsophisticated or Slob" colour is Brown, avoid it!

- The Colours that say "Success and Trust Worthy" are Black and Navy

Makeup: We have a couple of shades of cover-up sticks just in case you need us to help hide a pimple or scar.

Think about the image you want to project in your portrait, conservative, friendly, artsy, approachable. I would be happy to discuss ideas with you.

Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.

Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.

For "Dressing to Look Slim" Tips Click Here

Grad Portraits

What to wear: We have the cap and gown so you just need to bring a white dress shirt and tie for the men or a white blouse for the ladies. We only see from the waist up, don't worry about shoes and you can wear jeans if you like. For the casual shots wear whatever you like, if you not sure bring a couple of things and we can help you choose. A nice sweater is always nice. Jeans and a while T shirt are very popular for a CK look.

Bring a Friend: If you decide to bring the family or a friend for a few shots. See Family Portrait Guidelines above for clothes/colour ideas.

Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.

Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.

Portraits in the Park

Clothes, Colours, And Pets: Most people prefer their "Portraits in the Park" to be a casual sitting on the grass type of pose, denim is always popular. When it comes to colours in general, try to dress everyone in a similar colour, psychologists say it shows "closeness".

For fall portraits a nice fall sweater looks great.

Khaki Pants or Dockers with white shirts is also very popular combination.

Try and avoid light pastels, bold stripes or patterns or anything that is too distracting. Keep in mind that dark colours have a "slimming" effect. Avoid white socks and white running shoes, very distracting. Feel free to bring the family pet if you like. Be sure to avoid clothes with any kind of large logo, design, team name etc. The wind is unpredictable so extra hair spray is usually a good idea.

Contact Lens: Some people who wear contact lens tend to blink on a high percentage of photos, it might be a good idea for contact lens wearer to wear glasses and take them off for the portraits.

Hair: The wind is unpredictable so extra hair spray is a must.

Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.

For "Dressing to Look Slim" Tips Click Here

Slimming Colours and Ideas

Most people prefer to look a little slimmer than they are, yes it's true that a camera adds ten pounds (at least). BUT, most photographers can correct that plus subtract a few extra pound by proper posing, turning your body to a better angle, and adjusting the camera angle or height. But it makes a big difference if you do the following:

To look Slimmer try these:

Darker Colours are slimming. Consider Black, Olive, Grey, Navy, Plum, Burgundy, Dark Brown or Eggplant.
Solid colours are slimming
One colour (monochromatic) head to toe is slimming
Vertical lines are sliming, consider vertical pleats, V necks or a long chain
Instant flatter stomach: try pants with a flat front. No drawstrings, pockets, zippers, or decorations.
No pockets! avoid a lot or bulky pockets that draw attention to the waist area.
Dark, Dull, Cool colours recede (slim), warm colours advance (widen)
Use eye catching, shiny jewellery or objects to avert attention away from problem areas
Simple lines are slimming, consider A Line Skirts, collared blazers and blouses
Shoulder pads (small rounded) have a slimming effect
Single breasted jackets or blazers are slimming
Heels add height and therefore are slimming on a full length portrait
An interesting or long neckline draws attention from other areas
Good posture always makes you look slimmer
Wear your proper size. You'll look slimmer in clothes that fit properly rather than clothes that are too tight, or clingy or baggy.
Consider pantyhose with whatever foundation you feel comfortable in, Lycra, control top, or body shaper.

To look slimmer AVOID these:

Lighter colours (white, most pastels etc) make you look heavier
Bold patterns, plaids, shiny fabrics, heavy fabrics make you look heavier
Short sleeves make upper arms look wider
Do not draw additional attention to the waist area so avoid any horizontal dividing lines, like belts or a different colour.
Horizontal lines make you look heavier avoid belts and wide collars or wide lapels
Double breasted jackets or blazers add weight

Serving Ottawa - Nepean with Wedding Photography, Family Portraits, Grad Photos, Publicity - Business Photography