Business Portrait Preparation Guide

Items to Avoid:

1. Avoid glitter makeup

2. Avoid tanning/Sun 3-5 days before your portrait session

3. Avoid tan lines that will be evident. (Shoulders, sunglass lines etc.)

4. Avoid dry skin and chapped lips.

5. Avoid eyeglasses that have transitional lenses.

6. Colors to steer clear of in your outfits: Neon, Pastels, Red and flesh tones. Bright colors distract. Especially avoid wearing pink/orange pastels.

7. Steer clear of vivid red lipstick as cameras struggle to capture the intensity of red tones. If wearing lipstick keep it subtle. Less is more.

General Suggestions:

1. Shaped brows for women.

2. Trimmed ear and nose hair for men. Men, also pay attention to your eyebrows and if they need to be trimmed.

3. Women, spray down all fly away hairs prior to your portrait session.

4. Clean shoes, new socks and/or stockings free of runs.

5. Men, cut your hair 2-5 days before the portrait session. Cut to the length you want it to be in the photos. Neckline should be neatly shaped and clean.

6. Teeth clean and flossed.

7. If you are sick before the session I suggest re-scheduling.

8. Layered clothing presents an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the eye.

9. For women, it's best to keep the bangs away from the face for a more flattering look.

10. Bring a blazer or jacket if you'd like layered options.

11. Men: Shave or trim facial hair the day of or just prior.

12. Make sure your clothing is wrinkle free.

13. Set aside time the night before to organize your outfit and iron your clothes.

Eyeglasses:

You are welcome to wear eye glasses in the photoshoot. Please refrain from wearing glasses with transitional lenses for the photos.

Clothing Suggestions:

The most important part of a portrait are the people. Clothing is secondary and should accentuate the person, not overpower.

Opt for darker and more solid colors as they tend to be more flattering. Example: Instead of wearing Baby Blue go for the darker color Navy Blue. Darker clothing can create a slenderizing effect. For a polished image, consider wearing long sleeves. Avoid showing bare skin, as it can detract from the face. Incorporating layers like a sweater or jacket adds depth and dimension to your photos.

It is advisable to avoid patterns in your clothing choices. While very subtle patterns may be acceptable, sticking to solid colors creates a more timeless and classic look. Patterns can sometimes lead to a "camera moire effect," where the fine pattern on your clothing interacts with the camera's imaging chip, resulting in an unwanted third pattern in the photo. Unfortunately, this effect cannot be retouched or edited, so it's best to opt for solid colors to avoid any visual complications.