Video & Photography

Tips for Your Portrait

Your portrait should represent you. Wear what you think suits your personality best.

What to wear?

• Solid colors photograph best and most people look good in midrange tones (green, blue, brown, etc.). Darker shades are more flattering and slimming. Very bright reds, yellows and oranges can be distracting.
• Avoid large amounts of white or other light colors because they draw attention away from your face. Light colors are fine under a jacket or sweater.
• Avoid wearing clothing with patterns or accessories that distract from your face.
• Long sleeves are recommended in order not to distract from your face.

For men

Collared dress shirts and button-downs are recommended with a suit jacket and tie. If you choose not to wear a suit jacket, remember that white or light pastel shirts worn alone tend to look washed out and draw attention away from your face. A better choice for business casual is a jacket with an open shirt or a sweater.

For women

V-neck, crew neck or mock-turtle necks are recommended, but collared shirts work well for women, too. A shallow V-neck will have a slimming effect whereas a wide, open collar will have the opposite effect. Women with long hair should choose a top or jacket that is a different tone from their hair, otherwise the hair and jacket tend to run together in the photo.

Should I wear jewelry?

Jewelry can be a great accessory to your outfit, but should not distract from your face. Less is usually more. Necklaces look best when they are shorter and mimic the neckline of your shirt.

How much makeup should I apply?

• Wear what you would for a nice evening out. Well done, but not overdone.
• Avoid overly glossy or shimmery makeup because it will catch the light and be distracting.
• If you normally don’t wear makeup, your pictures will look better if you at least wear foundation. This will help even out your skin tone.
• Bring extra powder. You’ll want to reapply it during the shoot to avoid shine.
• Please bring your own brush.

Retouching

• We do light retouching to cover blemishes and dark under-eye circles as part of the portrait shoot.