What Should I Wear for my Creative Portrait?
How you look is one of the most important parts of creating an amazing Family Portrait, and what you wear can play a significant role in making it great.
So, today I’m going to help you by answering the question, “What should I wear for my Creative Portrait?”
Unlike many traditional Portrait Photographers who want to color coordinate all your clothing, have you in hair and makeup, and perfectly pose you (which are all nice and glamorous), I believe my Signature Family Portraits break the mold of traditional.
How many times have you seen an entire family walking around in white button downs, and khaki pants?
Understanding Color
While it would be easy for me to tell everyone to wear the same colors and color coordinate, unfortunately it’s not very interesting, and simply not real.
I think Portrait Photographers approach portraits this way because it takes less time and is easier.
Your Photillustration is created with color in mind, and the colors you choose for your clothing will either enhance it, or confuse it.
Let’s take a look at the Color Wheel…
Complementary Colors: Colors opposite on the Color Wheel are considered to be Complementary Colors, which offer high contrast and create a vibrant look.
Red = Green
Blue = Orange
Yellow = Purple
Analogous Colors: Colors next to each other on the Color Wheel are often found in nature, and are considered to be Analogous, which can be pleasing to the eye.
Yellow, Green, Blue
Yellow, Orange, Red
Purple, Blue, Green
Triad Colors: Colors that are evenly spaced around the Color Wheel are Triadic, and tend to be quite vibrant.
Orange, Green, Purple
Yellow, Blue, Red
When choosing colors for your Creative Portrait, it’s important to know what the color scheme of your Photillustration is before hand.
Your Clothing Style
If you can’t tell by now, I’m not a fan of boring, uninteresting clothes that all look the same, so I will not recommend everyone in the portrait wear the same thing.
My Photillustrations are ALL ABOUT PERSONALITY.
Aside from you, the expression on your face, and the props you use in your portrait, the clothes you wear speak loudly about your Personality.
I always recommend you WEAR WHAT YOU LIKE, and normally wear.
In other words, there is no need to run out and buy special clothes just to wear for your Photillustration, unless of course, they’re clothes you would wear on a daily basis anyway.
Be careful, however, not to wear clothes with busy patterns.
YOU are the main character here, so look at what you’re wearing as a supporting character and secondary to you.
If your clothes help you express your personality and the story we’re telling, wear them, but if they’re distractive and take all the attention, let’s leave them on the hanger for this.
Simple is always better, especially here.
Sewing your Clothes up with Style
To be clear, unless it makes sense why everyone in your portrait would be wearing the same colors and styles, DON’T.
Wear what you like, and what your friends, family, and coworkers would normally see you in.
Have a favorite t-shirt? Have a favorite pair of jeans? Always wear a suit? Always wanted to look a certain way? Want to be Batman? Wonder Woman? or anything your Imagination can think up?
As long as what you’re wearing supports your Creative Portrait’s story, it’s PERFECT!
