An Illustrated Guide

Preparing For Your Portrait Session With

RMD Photography

Beautiful and memorable portraits require planning. We will control the lighting, angles, composition, and other elements of your portrait that will give it an artistic dimension and be flattering to you. However, for your portrait to have the depth, richness and ambience that will make it a personalized work of art requires a certain amount of preparation on your part.

Please take a few moments to look over the following suggestions. We want your sitting to result in a portrait that will not only please you today, but continue to earn your appreciation over time. Feel free to discuss any questions or ideas you may have in advance of the sitting with us.

			Avoid large or bold patterns and bright colors that may tend to draw attention away from the face.
	No
	The face should be the focal point. Long sleeve solids or very subtle prints are usually most flattering for portraits.
			Yes

Fine portraiture captures your facial expression, mood, and presence. You are the focus of the portrait. Anything that distracts the eye away from you — colors, patterns, accessories, or props — should be avoided. Try to match the shade (darkness or lightness) of your clothing to the background that will be used for your portrait. Clothing which contrasts with the background tends to dominate the portrait and should be rejected.
 

			Medium to dark cloths are best for a dark background.
	Good
	Medium to light clothes for a light background.
			Good

Colorful play clothes will detract from a child's portrait, as will colorful toys and props. They certainly are cute, but the appeal is usually short-lived. Such items would be all right in a secondary portrait for the child's bedroom or playroom, but not for a high-quality portrait displayed in the living room. Instead, select clothing that will withstand the test of time and yield an image that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

			Play clothes may look cute . . .
	No
	. . . but traditional clothes stand the test of time.
			Yes

Outdoor portraits can be stunning, but they require even more careful planning than with in-studio or on-location interiors. Outdoor backgrounds are very "busy" (visually complex) so it is even more important to emphasize simplicity and choose only one or two theme colors. Doing this will help distinguish you from the scenic background. Avoid greens and yellows. White, ivory, khaki and salmon are great against lush green foliage. Burgundy, brown, tan, and gray are nice against a backdrop of autumn colors. Shades of blue look good all year round.

Shoes and stockings are often overlooked when considering portrait clothing. The same rule applies here: they should compliment and harmonize, not contrast and clash with the rest of the attire. Carefully consider your apparel from head to toe as a variety of full-length and close-up poses may be taken during your sitting.

			Shoes are often overlooked
	No
	Remember to coordinate your attire from head to toe.
			Yes

In portraits with more than one person as the subject, it is important to coordinate the clothing so that a single person will not dominate the scene. Too many patterns and colors are especially distracting in group portraits. Choose a common color theme that blends each with the other, creating a unified look. The clothing styles do not have to match, but the colors should be harmonious.

A family group should choose clothing that blends with each member's attire as well as with the background. Doing otherwise will create conflicting focal points that distract from the family as a whole. This cohesion of appearance results in attention being directed to the facial expressions of family members, where it belongs.

			Busy patterns and very bright colors are especially distracting in group portraits.
	No
	Color coordination lends harmony to the portrait. Dark clothing tends to minimize body size, and light tones tend to emphasize body size.
			Yes

Achieving the best results requires your involvement. Please work with us to achieve the total look you deserve. Background, clothing, make-up, hairstyle, and personal items all make a difference in a portrait.

			The difference between these two portraits . . .
	Good
	. . . is the subject's preparation.
			Very good

One factor rarely considered when having a portrait done is the location where the finished and framed portrait will be displayed. Study the relationship between the clothing for the portrait sitting and the decor in the room in which the resulting portrait will be exhibited. By laying clothing out on the couch in the area where the portrait will be hung, anything that clashes will be obvious. Make your final selection much as you would if you were choosing throw pillows. This additional process, in combination with the other principles discussed in this guide, will assure that you choose the garments that are most suitable for your sitting.

	Harmonize the clothing for your portrait sitting with the decor of the room where the finished portrait will be displayed !

Finally, pay attention to the wall space where your portrait will be displayed. Determine the approximate size and shape of your finished portrait. Interior designers recommend that a work of art should occupy at least 50% of the viewable area of a wall. Otherwise, the viewer's attention will be drawn to the wall rather than to the portrait. There is a tremendous difference in impact between the 16"x20" and the 30"x40" shown below when displayed over the same sofa.

O.K.

 

Much better !