Things to avoid no matter who you are; logos, lettering, prints, patterns, and plaids. All of those are distracting to the face. The point of this photograph is to capture you not the brand you are wearing.
Bright colors can be too bright against the face and can cast a color on your skin, pastels can wash you out including white.
Avoid pants and skirts that are too tight that you can't comfortably sit on the ground in.
If you are photographing outside don't wear high heels, your heels will get stuck in the ground. If you want to wear heels, make them something with a chunky heel.
So WHAT to wear to a portrait session.
High School Girls:
1. A great pair of jeans. Make sure they are flexible enough to move in as you will be moving in different positions.
2. A neutral tank top to wear under shirts. This makes it easy to change shirts while on location. This will save you time. Darker tanks are better than white as they do not pop through lighter or knitted tops. However if you want to be photographed in white, then bring a white tank as well. Wider straps are better to keep bra straps under.
3. If you plan on wearing spaghetti strap style shirts wear a strapless bra. Or if bra straps show, make sure they are a color you are okay with in the finished portrait. Neutral/Flesh bras are easiest to remove in photoshop. Straps may fall in an area that makes it impossible to photoshop, so keep that in mind while choosing your clothes.
4. Shirts- bring several with different fabrics, necklines, sleeve lengths. Make sure they are wrinkle free, clean, and bring a lint brush for touch up to remove hair, grass, etc. Shirts look good if they are fitted but not so tight that they are clinging.
5. Shoes- I actually prefer barefoot if feet are shown, so you don't need to go crazy here unless you have great shoes that you really want photographed. Most photos will be of your face or above your knees so you don't need to buy shoes unless you really want to.
6. Jewelry should be simple and can be changed out with clothing. Keep no more than two pieces on at a time. Earrings with either a necklace, bracelet, or ring. Too many accessories will take away from your face, so less is more. Watches should never be worn. The face catches the light and watches change styles and will date the photo.
7. Make up- wow this one is really important. Make sure your make up is matte or low shimmer. Glittery eye shadow or lip gloss turns into white dots if the light hits it wrong, so it just speckles the skin. Eyeliner should be across the upper eye giving you a great line, but very light under the eye. Dark eyeliner under the eye makes your eyes small and it tends to smudge and crease. False eyelashes can be worn but I would use natural looking eyelashes cut a little smaller on the outer lash area. Neutral eye shadow colors are the most flattering. Foundations should match your neck. Make sure your face and neck are the same color. Lips should be lined giving you a great lip line with a great gloss. Lighter lips are great and keep teeth looking whiter. If you use blush only apply to the apples of your cheek.
8. Hair should be clean and down. Hair pulled back into a pony tail are great in real life but don't come across well in front-on portraits. If you color hair make sure it is done at least 3 days prior to session.
9. Don't forget to brush your teeth, remove your rubber band off your wrist, and take your cell phone out of your pocket. Sessions take a bit of time so eat before coming to keep your energy up.
10. The day before you should exfoliate your skin to remove dry skin, shave, moisturize all skin that will show (face, arms, legs), shape eyebrows, clean fingernails, floss teeth, drink lots of water to hydrate skin, and get lots of sleep.
High School Boys:
1. A great pair of jeans. Make sure they are flexible enough to move in as you will be moving in different positions.
2. A neutral under shirt. This makes it easy to change shirts while on location. Darker tanks are better than white.
3. Hats are not my favorite as they can shadow your eyes, however if you are a hat guy then we can add your hat into the later half of your session.
4. Shirts- Make sure they are wrinkle free, clean, and bring a lint brush for touch up to remove hair, grass, etc. Letterman Jackets look great over a plain grey or black shirt. Button up shirts also look great left untucked for a more casual look. A darker neutral (charcoal is my favorite) long sleeve shirt looks great.
5. Shoes- Darker shoes are better than bright white or bright colored gym shoes, they tend to look really distracting, and most photos will be above the knee so don't worry about shoes showing.
6. Watches should never be worn. The face catches the light and watches change styles and will date the photo.
7. Shave a few hours before coming, don't shave in the car on the way to the session.
8. Hair should be clean, haircuts should be done at least a few days before the session.
9. Don't forget to brush your teeth, and take your cell phone out of your pocket. Sessions take a bit of time so eat before coming to keep your energy up. Check fingernails again before session.
10. The day before you should exfoliate your skin to remove dry skin, moisturize all skin that will show (face, arms, legs), check eyebrows and trim if needed, clean and shape fingernails, floss teeth, drink lots of water to hydrate skin, and get lots of sleep.
Couples, Friends and added Family Members: Same rules apply to above but now you need to also coordinate. Make sure you choose clothes that is in the same color value. Jeans are wonderful for casual family portraits. It is fun to add another color for pop with a scarf, undershirt, or jewelry. Keeping families within the same colors will keep the photo looking harmonious on the wall.
