back to info

Here are a few helpful pointers for helping you look your best when you have your portrait made.

Don't wear white. To avoid contrast problems try to wear a shirt or blouse that is not pure white. Often times a light blue, pink, or yellow shirt/blouse is the best choice and will look white in the final photograph. Wearing true white will either cause your face to appear too dark, or require special handling in the darkroom or even retouching.

Avoid busy patterns. Wearing clothing with bold stripes or optical patterns is not recommended--these may cause moire patterns, in the final published photograph. Select dark or medium-toned clothing. Color selection can help place the emphasis on your face rather than your clothing.

Look Natural. Keep in mind that the photographic process itself will add contrast to the final photograph, so it is best not to exaggerate your appearance with makeup. A light foundation can help both men and women, especially if your skin is a bit oily. For women, a light foundation with a hint of rouge is fine, but please keep lip and cheek color to a minimum.

Watch your glasses. Glasses can cause both reflection and distortion problems. Avoid Sun-sensor type glasses since they will make your eyes appear dark. For lens with extreme curvatures it may only be possible to make a portrait without reflections by removing the lenses from the frames. Check your glasses in a mirror to see if the lenses distort your appearance.

For Women
•Opt for long or three-quarter-length sleeves that flatter, no matter what the pose. •Use scarves and jewelry for accents. If you normally wear glasses, be sure to have them on hand for the sitting.
•Keep your normal hair style, make sure it is clean and shiny. This is no time to experiment.

For Men
•Generally, suits or sports jackets are more flattering. Solid colors or subdued plaids are best. Wild patterns or extravagant styles may date a photograph.
•Let your tie or shirt create a color accent if the portrait is in color, or tonal accent if the portrait will be in black and white. Again it is best to avoid wild or optical patterns.
•Make sure hair is neatly trimmed and styled. It's best to visit the barber several days before a portrait sitting so that the new-shorn look will have faded.

If you have additional questions or comments contact David Riecks by using the e-mail link on this page or calling (217) 333-9435.