What to Wear?

Thinking of investing in a family portrait this year?  It is worth the time to plan out clothing for a family portrait.  If you are looking for a portrait to hang on your wall, you do not want your clothing to distract from the focus of the portrait, your family!  You do not want to feel, down the road that the portrait is dated because of the clothing.
  This does not mean however, that you need to go out and purchase all new outfits for everyone in the family.  It also does not mean that the whole family has to wear the same matching sweater.  Sometimes it just takes a few minutes of thinking about what you already probably have and adding to that if needed.
 KTSS
stands for: Keep Things Simple Stupid
We have all heard this before, but it is true!  As a general rule, simple is better.  Solid classic clothing works the best.  Also, keeping clothing in the same tonal range is important.  All light clothing or all dark clothing together.  For example, if everyone in the portrait was wearing all black, except one person in a white shirt, your eye would be drawn immediately to the person's shirt.

Let's take a look at some ideas and good examples of coordinating clothing.

 This family choose all white for a classic summer portrait.  This portrait will easily hang over their mantle for years.

White and khaki are a popular choice for the beach as well.

This cream, khaki and mauve combo worked well in the studio.

 
Gray has become a popular choice for in studio portraits but it works great on the beach as well.

I love the color pop in this family portrait.  It was done intentionally and it works.

Here are a few examples of brown or black tops with dark jeans for fall portraits.
Notice the one guy in white in the portrait below?

Using different colors work too, as long as you keep them in the same tonal range.

I loved this color combination for a cooler weather beach portrait.

There is always exceptions to the rule.  Pattern can be used, but needs to be unifying

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With just a little planning on your part, you will come a away with a portrait that you will be thrilled to hang on your walls for years to come!