Clothing

Styles - Simple, solid outfits photograph best. Casual styles can be worn either indoors or out, but more formal clothing generally works best in an indoor setting. Try to avoid bold patterns or stripes, as well as short sleeves. Also, more traditional styles stand the test of time better than trendier fashions. Colors - Wearing similar-toned colors helps focus attention on your face by drawing attention away from your clothing. This monochromatic look assures that no one person will stand out from the others in a group. BEST INDOOR COLORS: blues, grays, teal, forest, khaki, off-white and pastels. BEST OUTDOOR COLORS: blues, reds, grays, and blacks.

Glasses

If you wear glasses most of the time, you'll want them in your portraits. You can eliminate the glare and reflections normally seen in glasses by either removing the lenses temporarily from your frames, or by borrowing a pair of empty frames similar to yours. It is very difficult to remove the glare once a photo is produced, so it is best to avoid it entirely by removing your glasses.

Make-Up

Apply makeup exactly as you would if you were going out for the evening. Pay special attention to your eyes, as they will be the most important part of your portrait. Cover-up makeup helps soften blemishes and lines and is recommended for everyone in the group when necessary.

Hair Styles

Plan haircuts at least a week in advance of your session. Allow two weeks for a fresh perm to relax. Don't experiment with new hair styles the day of your session. If an outdoor series is planned, apply hairspray to keep hair in place. Gentlemen may need to shave just before a session - a "five o'clock shadow" cannot be removed from the finished portrait.

Jewelry

Fine watches, rings, necklaces, pins and bracelets are always in good taste. If you have questions about a particular piece, please do not hesitate to ask.