The Consultation
We consider the consultation session, the creative planning session - this
is the time for guidance...understanding the direction we are taking.
Once we have established a specific direction, then we can make decisions
on clothing colors and tone.
Clothing
Selection
The objective of any fine portrait is to direct
the viewer's attention to the face. Everything else in the portrait
(clothing, hair, backgrounds, and props) should be secondary to the
face. When the face dominates a portrait, you will never tire of it
as time goes by. Improperly selected clothing can overpower the face
and ruin an otherwise excellent portrait. While it is our job to choose
the proper portrait lighting and pose for you, we must rely on your
help in selecting clothing that will create the visual effect you wish
to achieve.
Clothing
Color
Garments in medium to dark tones of brown, rust,
burgundy, green, or blue always photograph well. Light colored clothing,
however, 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. These colors dominate a portrait and overpower the
face. Light colors also tend to add bulk to the subjects wearing them.
Dark colors are more flattering and slimming to the subject. Especially
bright colors, such as red and orange, will ruin a portrait. Bold
stripes, plaids, checks and busy prints do not photograph well.
Clothing
Style
Very simple garments always photograph best.
Turtle necks or V-necks are flattering, provided neither is exaggerated
in style. Avoid very wide or particularly deep V-neck garments, as well
as bulky cowl neck sweaters, which completely hide the neck. Long sleeves
are essential since, in a portrait, bare arms 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.
Clothing
for a Family Group
When photographing a family group, proper clothing coordination is
critical. In home decorating, a major concern is to coordinate the colors
and tones of the walls, carpets, draperies and furniture. This kind
of coordination 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 his or her clothing is too light or too
bright compared to the rest of the group.
Conditions
of Sale
Camera charges are due prior to the session date.
Fifty percent deposit is required when placing the initial order, the
balance is due at time of completion.
All images are copyrighted, and we reserve the right to place our studio
name on all of our portraiture.
A minimum purchase of an 8x10 of each image is required before a
smaller size of the same image is sold.
All photography has a lifetime replacement warranty at 50% of the current
cost.
Selecting
Your Portraits
After your portrait session, we will contact you when your images are
available for viewing online. Or, if you wish, you can set up an appointment
to view your images in the comfort of your own home, where we
will project your portrait images so you can see even the smallest
detail of each image. We will help you make your selection and explain
how we complete the finished image with retouching and artwork. Once
you make your selection, we can display different sizes to enable you
to make an informed decision about what size portrait would be suitable for
your needs. Then we can hold frames over each image to visualize how
different styles complement the image. If you plan to have someone help
you make the decision about your portrait purchase, please inform them
when your portraits are available online, or invite them to attend when
you view your images at home.
