Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the clothing you choose is very important to your portrait’s success.  For example:  Turtlenecks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style.  Avoid very wide or particularly deep V-neck garments or bulky cowl neck sweaters that completely hide the neck.  Casual clothing compliments portraits done in outdoor environmental settings

For close–up portraits, 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, or 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, assure that shoes and stockings are in keeping with the visual intent of the portrait.

Men should be clean shaven or facial hair should be carefully groomed, with 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 eye to the face or faces in the portrait.  All other elements are secondary.  For individuals, simple long-sleeved garments in medium to dark tones of brown, gray, burgundy, green or blue are pleasing choices when photographed against a medium or dark background.  Because darker clothing is slimming it is a good choice for any portrait in which a medium to dark background is used.

Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges.  When subjects appear in a mixture of light and dark tones together there is a visual confusion—as the light color comes forward and the dark color recedes.  When this happens one person becomes dominant and appears heavier than in reality.

In a family group of any size proper clothing coordination is critical.  Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is to light or bright as compared to the rest of the group.  Uncoordinated clothing choices result in a portrait of a group of seemingly unrelated individuals rather than a cohesive family group.  

Bold stripes, plaids, checks and prints are visually confusing and do not photograph well.

Bright colors, such as pink and orange, will overwhelm the face and ruin a portrait.  Light colors that approximate flesh tones will overpower the face and make the subject look unusually pale.