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

• 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, 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 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.

     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.        Bold stripes, plaids, checks, and prints are confusing and do not photograph well.     Especially bright colors, such as red and orange, will completely overpower the face and ruin a portrait.   Light-colored clothing calls attention to itself and away from the face.  Avoid light colors that approximate flesh tones such as beige, tan, peach, pink, white, and yellow.  They overpower the face, make the subject appear unusually pale, and add bulk to the subject.  Darker shades are more flattering and slimming.

     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 group.

     Planning your portrait will help us to create an artwork of a very personal nature.  As a decorative focal point in your home or office, it will serve as a reflection of your good taste, as well as a most appropriate expression of your personal style.