Picture perfect fashion tips to make it happen…

 

Casual or Formal?: Of course, both have their style and purposes, when a family portrait is in the making, think of the ‘real you’ and got with it. We can achieve many moods and styles without giving up on fashion.  Formal, semi-formal, semi-casual or full casual, all have a message of what represents your style and look.

 

Casual: Soft and fun looking, relaxed but prepared, in fashion but co-ordinated.  More day to day clothing like a loose shirt, t-shirt, sweater, jeans, in light pastels or dark solid colors. Casual settings are usually photographed in a lighter setting. Lighter backgrounds will be used to emphasize the fashion look and brighter skin tones.  Darker solid colours set a more dynamic look and makes great colors or black and white portriats.

 

Formal: We can represent a formal look in a variety of ways. Traditional well-posed portraits can vary from the fashion formal to the business professional look. In all formal settings darker solid colors work best. Professional business attire should emphasize your neck. A pastel pin-stripped or a soft pastel shirt with a subtle tie is the norm for head and shoulder portraits. A more full-length fashion look will be a key element when a more elaborate on location shoot is the requested look.  Clothing will reflect the character and status acknowledgment in all portiat representation.

 

Make-Up:  Professional portrait make-up will make a major difference in your portrait.  A professional make-up artist can bring out facial features. Contrary to a day or night make-up that doesn’t complement the strong light reflection and film intensity of photography. It has a totally different purpose and vice-versa.  The film and television industry has perfected the art of make-up and only an accredited make-up artist can truly enhance or subtract facial features to achieve the desired results between make-up, light and film.  A professional make-up job will achieve a perfect balance between your facial features and personality on film.

 

Hair & Shoes:  Freshly cut hair is not recommended. A well-groomed and natural hairstyle will blend in well and will not distract from personality. Fashion and casual looks will also add style and a certain dynamic element to the poses.  Most décor and settings will include full-length poses, always dress head to toe. Whether it is formal or casual, shoes should match the appropriate attire.  In a more modern and younger looking style, bare feet will create warmth and closeness between the subjects. The main key is to remember to co-ordinate clothing head to toe.

 

Traditional Outfits, e.g. Military Uniforms:  When the clothing becomes thematic, then full official attire shoud be worn.  We will adjust our settings and décor to fill the exact style and create the perfect mood. Posing and lighting will strengthen the look and capture the perfect portrait.

 

Tips to Remember…

~  Light pastel/earth tones are more for casual and semi-casual s work best.

~  Family groupings must always co-ordinate colours

~  Shoes and socks should be in key with the proposed look.

    E.g. Black socks with black shoes, white socks with white shoes.

~  Darker, solid colors portray a more formal look.

~  Avoid strong patterns, lines, words/logos & any strong designs.

 

 

 

 

 

Marie Josee St-Amour

Professional Make-up Artist