Studio and On-Location Portraits
Guidelines on how to prepare to a portrait session
Each photosession is as unique as every person we photograph. We cannot bluntly pose the person and take a photograph. No way! Each portrait has to be approached wisely - we plan not only the time of the session, but the theme, mood, location, props and all other details. Only then we can be assured that personality of our clients will be properly reflected and enhanced by the mood and theme in the portrait.
That's why we need your help and insight into how better prepare to the portrait session. Please consider the following aspects: the theme, mood and photosession itself. Later when you will be scheduling time we will ask you to provide information on these topics.
Visualization
There is a very helpful way to start thinking about a portrait - visualize the photograph and imagine what would you want to look like and project what kind of image. It could be a tough task, because you have to think of who you are as a person, a couple or a family. Such image could be affected by the things you value most and things that surround you, the way of life you lead or want to lead, and so on. In this image you have to visualize all the details: your pose, expression, the clothes you wear, background and overall mood, even quality of light (darker, lighter, etc.)
Such exercise should bring an image of yourself that will make you feel great and actually want to have such a picture. You should feel proud of how you look in the portrait and not be shy or ashamed to have this picture on a desk or on a wall. This portrait could be associated with a painting that people ordered and displayed in their homes a few centuries ago.
What to wear
The clothes you wear take a large space in the photograph. They do not only say about you, they could distract from you - they can be the point of interest by themselves. Therefore we have to be cautious about what to wear. On the other side the clothing is one major piece in the portrait puzzle. The dress you wear should complement your image, the colors better to be muted and overall look to be subdued, so not to distract. The latest trends in the clothing may not be the best choice as they go out of style and in a few years to be considered outdated. Better if you wear some timeless classics, then your portrait will have that lasting quality and value.
The tone of clothing may not always affect the mood and overall look of the portrait. When you consider the background and the setting for the portrait try to match the tone of your dress with the background. In such way the dress will not be distracting and will support the overall tone of the photograph. Your skin tone should be considered as well, you don't want too much of the contrast. For example, if you have a darker skin tone, the white dress and light background will produce a portrait with a feeling of a detached head floating in the air. A bit less brighter shirt or a blouse will create more pleasant look and tie everything together. If you aware of color that compliments you skin, please wear it, but consider the other guidelines we covered here.
Another point to have in mind that lighter tones will diminish the depth of shadows therefore creating a slightly fuller look of your body. Still certain lighting techniques could compensate some of such effects, however consider somewhat darker clothing and long sleeves for slimming effect.
The way the clothes are cut has its own influence how you will look in the photograph. Loose clothing draws attention from your figure and arm to your face and neck. And when you consider the V-neck, blouse, crew or turtleneck shirt, know that V-neck and blouse will create appearance of a longer neck, on the other hand crew and turtleneck shirt will add fullness to the neck and make is shorter.
When a family portrait is done, please make sure that all members of the family are dressed to the same level of formality. The main idea here is to create a sense of unity, not only by posing you together, but conveying this message in your clothing as well. And when one of you is dressed in bold contrast pattern, it make him or her stand out and disrupts the sense of unity. Please dress in similar tones and style.
And here are a few tips to look slimmer in the portrait: wear darker colors (i.e. black, brown, gray, navy, plum or burgundy), solid colors are slimming, the same colors overall, use vertical lines in the pattern or the cut, V-necks and blouse collars add to slimness, no pockets, darker shades of the colors, try shoulder pads (small rounded) for a slimming effect, heels will add height and slimness when a full length portrait is done, don't forget about a good posture, wear your proper size.
~ Top ~Jewelry and Accessories
The same rule as with the clothes applies to jewelry - it shouldn't distract. It means that the less accessories you wear the more attention you will attract, not the jewelry you wear. Of course, a thin chain or a pedant will not hurt if it complements the dress and the overall look. This could be something that people would expect you wear, something that you wear all the time. The glasses could be one of such accessories.
Glasses could be a tricky element to photograph: the reflections could distract, the dimming of lenses could conceal your eyes and the lens itself could distort your eyes that especially visible at the outer sides. If you always wear the glasses with strong lenses, your look without ones could be unknown or at least unexpected to people. So, it's our job to make you look best in the glasses. This will involve special posing and lighting along with some retouching.
If the glasses do not change your perception by other people (your wear them from time to time), then it could be a better idea to have a portrait without ones. Or if that's possible, you can try to replace the lens with simple glass that does not produce any distortion - have your optometrist replace the lenses or remove them from the rims, or use an empty set of rims for the portrait session.
When in doubt whether to wear or not a certain jewelry or accessory please talk to us and we will try to come up with the best solution or take photographs with and without it, and then pick the best photograph. Your opinion is what always matters!
~ Top ~Makeup and Manicure
Even though we can apply makeup in post-processing and even add some tan to your skin, it's a good idea to wear makeup during the photo shoot. Maybe even a bit stronger for ladies than you do it during the day - the camera slightly reduces its impact. Even the gentlemen should consider some powdering because a slight sweating could create bright highlights (which, of course, possible to remove in post-processing). The other things men could conceal with powder is darker areas under the eyes, we all sometimes work too much and sleep less than we need to.
Depending on the pose your hands could be included into the frame and so your fingernails. So, please do the manicure if necessary before the shoot. And, ladies, please bring your makeup with you to the photosession. We will try to work together to create the best portrait your ever had.
Hair
It's simple, just make sure that your hair is clean and styled the way you want it before your photosession. We suggest you bring you brush, comb, spray or gel with you, so you can redo it or style whatever way you prefer. If you consider to have a hair cut done, please do it at least one week before, so your hair would take the form you need. As for the styling it's better to be done right before the session.
Facial Expression
For some us it may not be that easy to create the best expression we would like our selves with. Facial expression is one of the major prerequisites of a great portrait. That's why we recommend that before the session you try a few expressions and angle in front of the mirror. You may notice some small things that would greatly improve the way you look, it could be even the way a lock of hair falls on your face or tilt of your head or somewhat childish smile in the corner of you smile. Try it and when we are together we will try to bring that great image of you into the portrait
~ Top ~Posing
It's another exercise that you can do in front of the mirror - try to pose. Depending on the feel and the mood you want to show in the portrait
Props
Certain things convey what we like or what our live are wrapped around. For example, an open book included into a photograph tells us that the photographed person loves reading. That's why we recommend to bring something that became a part of your life, like that book. It shouldn't be bulky or too bright, so not to distract, but rather complement. If we do the photosession in your home where you have a certain place in mind (with some props around), please make it less cluttered. It doesn't mean that you have to put everything in order (though it may add to the feel of an organized person), but simply do not leave too many objects around.
Good Sleep
We all know that a good night sleep rejuvenates and refreshes. That's why we want to wish you a good night sleep before the photosession. It alone can bring a lot of positive changes to your look and mood you are in at the session.
To schedule a portrait session please call us or check our calendar and schedule the session. It would be our pleasure and honor to create a beautiful portrait for you! ![[end of the text]](http://www.romanzolin.com/img/misc/text_end.png "End of the article")
