tips

PLANNING YOUR PORTRAIT

Slimming Colours and Ideas
Most people prefer to look a little slimmer than they are; yes it's true that a camera adds ten pounds (at least). BUT, most photographers can correct that plus subtract a few extra pound by proper posing, turning your body to a better angle, and adjusting the camera angle or height. But it makes a big difference if you do the following:

To look slimmer try these:

Darker Colours are slimming. Consider Black, Olive, Gray, Navy, Plum, Burgundy, Dark Brown, or Eggplant.

Solid colours (monochromatic) are slimming

One colour (darker) head to toe is slimming

Vertical lines are sliming, consider vertical pleats or a long chain

Instant flatter stomach: try pants with a flat front, No drawstrings, pockets, zippers, or decorations.

No pockets! avoid a lot or bulky pockets that draw attention to the waist area.

Dark, Dull Cool colours recede (slim), warm colours advance

Use eye catching, shiny jewelry or objects to avert attention away from problem areas

Simple lines are slimming, consider A Line Skirts, collared blazers and blouses

Shoulder pads (small rounded) have a slimming effect

Single breasted jackets or blazers are slimming
Heels add height and therefore are slimming on a full length portrait

An interesting or long neckline draws attention from other areas

Good posture always makes you look slimmer

Wear your proper size. You'll look slimmer in clothes that fit properly rather than too tight.

To look slimmer AVOID these:
Lighter colours (white, most pastels etc) make you look heavier

Bold patterns, shiny fabrics, heavy fabrics make you look heavier

Short sleeves make upper arms look wider

Do not draw additional attention to the waist area so avoid any horizontal dividing lines, like belts or a different colour.

Horizontal lines make you look heavier avoid belts and wide collars or wide lapels

Double breasted jackets or blazers add weight

More ideas:

White or pastel colors work best against a light or pastel backdrop.
Avoid glasses, especially tinted glasses, whenever possible. They compromise the lighting and distort the facial lines. Pop the lenses out, or borrow a pair of frames.
Tinted glasses are virtually impossible to work with.
Non-glare glasses are often okay, and the newer style small frames seem to pose no major obstacles.
Avoid big sloppy running shoes, especially ones that used to be white.

Watch tight shirts on larger mid-areas.
Men-watch out for that “five-o’clock shadow”. Ladies- no more make-up than is the norm.
Avoid new hairstyles. Avoid mini-skirts, unless it is a fashion statement.

Clothing should not be too tight or too loose.
Clothing below the waistline should be darker than above. Otherwise, even lighter colored jeans worn below a darker top could easily attract attention to the lower part of the body and away from the face.

Your portraits are meant to be enjoyed and cherished for years to come.
Fad type clothing should be avoided, unless you are planning to have a portrait taken annually.

You will feel very rewarded when you view your portraits. All of your efforts will be worthwhile.

GROUP PORTRAITS

Clothing for group portraits must be carefully selected to blend the bodies together. First, decide whether the basic tone of the clothing will be warm-toned (browns etc..) or cool-toned (blues, greys, blacks etc...) Then follow the instructions above.It is sometimes very difficult to get everyone coordinated due to distance factors. When this is the case, we will work with whatever you show up in and try to balance the colors within the poses.

CASUAL BEACH OR OUTDOOR PORTRAITS

When there is a light background setting such as a beach, field or water, it is sometimes a good idea to dress in lighter colors, so that the clothing blends in with the backdrop. In this situation all white or pastel clothing works fine.
All white clothing is great. White shirts and jeans work well. White shirts and beige pants are even better.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

HOW CAN I LOOK THINNER?

Here is a question I get all the time. If I don’t hear the question, I’m sure that everyone is worried about this one, since the camera has tendency to add a few pounds.
With proper planning and a few applied techniques looking thinner and leaner is a cinch!
Firstly, avoid standing out by wearing the wrong colors or patterns.(Read previous information)
Tying hair back has a tendency to show lots of face, so avoid this.
Hair should frame the face nicely and looks great when coordinated with a soft, high collar that will frame the lower portion of the face.
Turtlenecks often work well.
Double chin? Biggest question of all. Avoid tight collars that squeeze the skin. Sit straight with your lower back muscles (not tense), and lean forward while gently pulling your chin out.
Rob will automatically remind you to do this and will coordinate the poses, angles and lighting
so the best and most flattering portraits are taken.

SHOULD I HAVE MY PORTRAITS RETOUCHED?

Not everyone likes retouched portraits. There are varying degrees that retouching can alter a portrait and many extensive retouching techniques are available.
The most common retouching used is for lines or circles under the eyes and blemishes on the skin.
More extensive work such as altering hair that is out of place or glare on glasses (something you want to avoid, or simply learn to live with) is possible but can be expensive and may not look right.
Even digitally retouched portraits are subject to the same challenges and expenses as conventional
retouching.
Whether to retouch or not retouch is a personal choice and should be determined only when the results from the portrait session are viewed.

MY KIDS WON’T SIT STILL. WHAT DO I DO?

The best advice I give all parents is to be patient and not try to control the situation. Trying to have control over the moods and reactions of children is usually futile and only makes matters worse.
We understand children and know that we need to gain their trust, at their pace, not their parents.
So to allow this to happen, simply be patient and let us talk to the children. Don’t answer for them or instruct them to “smile”. Often for younger children (1.5 to 2.5 years old) the best thing to do is ignore them. They often will sit still in the picture because they suddenly feel left out.

Above all, be patient. We will. And no, we really don’t have a lot of patience, we just know what to expect from children and know that sometimes it will take even an hour before we get the desired results.

WHAT DOES “EDITORIAL” MEAN?

When I refer to editorial-style portraits, I simply mean a more casual and relaxed approach. I blend traditional poses and conventional guidelines to composition, but will try to create a spontaneous look as well. Something that might resemble a magazine style pose.Or while following the basic rules I might create weird and fun angles. Sometimes editorial shows an environment that reflects a part of a person’s life or a family’s way of life. ie: canoeing, playing an instrument...etc...etc

ARE YOU GOING TO TILT MY HEAD IN SOME UNNATURAL POSITION?

People have a natural tendency to make themselves comfortable. Unfortunately, relaxing one’s muscles leads to poor posture. This means round shoulders and double chins. To look one’s best we need to fight gravity.
Sometimes I need to ask that a certain amount of sitting straight or turning the head is needed to adjust for this.
However, if I don’t say anything, then it means that everything is fine and no fine-tuning is required.

BE CERTAIN TO RELAX DURING THE SESSION
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, WE’D LIKE TO HEAR THEM

What's the difference between a proof and a finished print?
Image on left is a proof.
Image on right is colour corrected, cropped and retouched.

Email us. We'd love to read your letter
Be sure to include your address so we can mail you our latest newsletter.
We'll also mail you some portrait information and a portrait coupon.

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