Kim Horsman Photography, Professional Wedding & Portrait Photographer  
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Planning a Good Portrait Session, Tips on clothing and accessories

Details

Appointments
Appointment should be made for all visits. This is to ensure you receive the attention you deserve.

Consultations
Great portrait sessions don’t just happen, they are planned. In order to experience the best I offer, a consultation appointment is recommended. During the consultation I’ll discuss backgrounds, props, and clothing to insure a great portrait experience. Payment for your sitting fee should be made at this time.

Copying and Copyright Laws
All images created by Kim Horsman are protected by Federal Copyright Laws and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from Photography by Kim Horsman.

All images remain the property of Photography by Kim Horsman, who reserves the right to use images for advertising, promotions, competition and display purposes.

Making the most of your session

Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the clothing you choose is very important to your portrait's success. These guidelines will help you to make important decisions about your portrait.

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.
Proper clothing allows the face to dominate the portrait. All other elements should be secondary.
Especially bright colors, such as red and orange, will overpower the face and ruin a portrait.
Especially bright colors, such as red and orange, will overpower the face and ruin a portrait.
Bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints are confusing and do not photograph well.
Bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints are confusing and do not photograph well.
Light-colored clothing calls attention to itself.
Light-colored clothing calls attention to itself. Avoid light colors similar to flesh tones like 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.

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

In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical.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.

Clothing that blends harmoniously creates timeless portraiture because the viewer's eye goes directly to the faces.The visual statement made by the portrait above 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 complement portraits made in outdoor environments.

Tips On Clothing Style and Accessories

  • Very simple garments always photograph best
  • Turtle necks 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
  • Long sleeves are essential for teens and adults, as bare arms call attention to themselves and will overpower the face
  • 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
  • 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.

Kim Horsman Photography
info@kimhorsman.com

Mobile: (405) 831-8627
Office/Fax: (405) 348-5964
405 Canyon Road
Edmond, OK 73034