Marilyn will spend whatever time necessary to help you plan your clothing for your portrait session. Her expert associate can also help you with planning clothing to coordinate family portraits or for baby’s first year portrait.

Families:

It is vital in a family portrait that all members are properly coordinated. The best clothing is casual, comfortable and somewhat on the ordinary side. This is not the time to wear trendy clothing, tight short skirts,sleeveless shirts, tank tops that reveal too much skin or chunky shoes.

If anyone in your family carries a little weight there are ways to be sure they look their best. First is to make sure the clothes fit and are not too tight or too large. Nothing is worse than a shirt too large and falling off the shoulders or a shirt too tight pulling across the tummy.

Some good suggestions are to wear v-necks or collarless shirts so the neck is exposed. Do not wear turtlenecks that make double chins more prominent. Solid clothing is best with matching tops and bottoms both being a neutral color. Best are soft long sleeved looks that lay on the body properly.

Best clothing for families is of the Gap or Limited Stores type. Khaki, denim, black or white, plain blouses, shirts or sweaters go well with long skirts or pants. No labels emblazoned on the fronts or symbols or tshirts that shout manufacturers names.

Simple, simple, simple.

Babies

By far the easiest to dress mostly because Marilyn tends to undress them so often! Many of the best baby portraits are with naked babies and a simple prop. Check the baby gallery for ideas for this look. A simple and pastel baby dress or one piece for a boy is always great.

Be aware that layers of dresses are very messy on young babies not sitting up yet. And boys dressed in suspenders that tend to fall down or collars that won’t quite lay down are also not the best clothing to dress baby in.

In Florida there is a tendency to sometimes think shorts will be good for portraits. This might be fine for outdoor portraits, but check how bruised your childrens legs are before making a final decision. While the bruises can be retouched, we always strive for natural looking portraits and too much retouching can be a problem.

Bathing suits are not appropriate for portraits at any time unless the theme of the portrait is that. Even on the beach, white flowing dresses and sweet dresses for girls and rolled up white or khaki pants for boys is the best choice. A touch of pastels is nice to add some color.

For my northern clients, think sweaters and soft cashmeres. Pastels in spring are gorgeous with the blooming flowers. Denim with white shirts is always good and in summer, denim with no shirt is a fun look. Sweatshirts in great colors would make a colorful portrait with each child in denim bottoms and each sweatshirt or sweater in a different bright color.

One last thought. Your portrait is going to hang in your home and be displayed for many years. Check how the clothing you have chosen will look in the room you are hanging the portrait. If you have a neutral room with whites and tans, a portrait with everyone in purple clothes might not be what you want to wear.

WOMEN

Wear natural makeup but tend to go more on the evening side of makeup than daytime. Even in the best outdoor portraits, you will become a bit washed out if your makeup if too light.

Do not try new hair styles or hair colors for your portrait session. Keep hair soft and use your usual styling. An extra bit of mascara makes eyes stand out and a soft color lipstick will be plenty of color.

MEN

Shave right before your portrait appointment or bring your cordless shaver to the outdoor session and do it in the car. One of the hardest retouching to do is Five O’Clock Shadow. That is a retouchers nightmare.

GLASSES

Dealing with eyeglasses is one of photographers biggest problems. To light you so you look your best, it’s not always best for the glare it creates in your glasses hiding your beautiful eyes.

This can be minimized with careful planning.

Have your optometrist supply you with an empty pair of frames that match your own. They will usually do this on loan with a deposit that is totally refundable.

PETS

Pets are great in family portraits! A dog with a matching bandana around his neck is friendly looking. A kitty being held is sweet. We like family pets in family portraits. Just remember that they need to have water with them and a leash or cage.

Always call the studio for advice on clothing if you have any doubts.