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Photos, Seniors And Tips

Tips and suggestions for looking your best during a portrait sitting.

Props and environment:

You have an opportunity to be an individual, bring items that are you, instruments, lettermen jackets, sport and organization uniforms, don’t forget your class ring, and awards. If you are a member of the National Honor Society, stop by the High School office and check out the stools and ropes honor students are privileged to wear and bring them with you. Animals can be included in outdoor photos, as well as cars, motorcycles and other outdoor hobbies.

Rest

Plan your photo sitting when you are going to be rested, a good nights rest the day before. Working all day and showing up for photos late in the day will reflect your need for rest.

Hungry

Most people don’t photograph well if they are hungry, plan to eat accordingly before your photo session.

Grooming

Haircuts should be taken about a week before your sitting, allowing time for your hair to settle down. Washing your hair just before your sitting can cause hair to stand-on-end. Washing your hair 24 hours in advance produces very manageable hair. Of course a fresh trip to the salon is a sure thing every time. You know how your hair responds to a washing and the humidity; use your best judgment. Guys, a close shave before your sitting is a must.

We do not provide any type of clothes for the student beyond the cap & gown, drape/cape for ladies and neckties for gentlemen.

Tips On Clothing Style And Accessories

Very simple garments always photograph best.

For close up portraits, long sleeves are essential for teens and adults, as bare arms call attention to themselves and over power the faces.

Turtlenecks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style. Avoid very wide or particularly deep V-neck garments as well as bulky cowl neck sweaters that completely hide the neck.

Women being photographed 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. Gentlemen consider the matching belt, socks and shoes.

If feet are to show in the portrait, make certain shoes and stockings are in keeping with the visual intent of the portrait.

Men should have their hair cut about one week before the portrait session. Women should be photographed whenever they are happiest with their hair in relation to the time it is styled.

About Clothing, Color, Tone, and Style ...
The goal of any fine portrait is to direct the viewer's attention to the face or faces in the portrait. Simple long-sleeved garments in medium to dark tones of brown rust, burgundy, green, or blue are pleasing choices when photographed against a dark background.

Proper clothing allows the face to dominate the portrait. All other elements should be secondary. Bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints are confusing and do not photograph well.

Especially bright colors, such as red and orange, will completely overpower the face and ruin a portrait. Light-colored clothing calls attention to itself and away from the face. Avoid light colors that approximate flesh tones such as beige, tan, peach, pink, white, and yellow. Darker shades are more flattering and slimming.

Light colors are appropriate against a white or pastel background, or with a dark background when an interpretive "pictorial" study is planned.

Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges. Light and dark tones together create visual confusion, as one subject comes forward and the other recedes.

Clothing For Families
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, draperies and furniture. This kind of coordination also 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. The visual statement made by portrait on the left is "Here is a family in which each individual holds a place of equal importance," whereas the portrait to the right says, "Here is a group of seemingly unrelated individuals."

Clothing that blends harmoniously creates timeless portraiture because the viewer's eye goes directly to the faces. Clothing in medium shades compliment portraits made in outdoor environments.