Proper clothing for your child's portrait session is enormously important. While the right clothing might not "make" the portrait, the wrong clothing can certainly "break" it.
Clothing should not take the attention away from the subject, therefore, keep it low-key and non-distracting. It's especially important to avoid clothing with writing and logos.
Costumes or team uniforms, on the other hand, reveal something important about the personality or interests of its wearer. Costumes, including tutus and props, like hats & teddy bears, add an irresistable cuteness factor that brings a smile to the viewer's face.
Button-down shirts and polos always work nicely for boys.
Costumes and clothing can often help identify the gender of a baby which might not be apparent when there's not enough hair to style yet!
As a professional children' s photographer whom you have entrusted to create your family heirloom, I may sometimes request a change of clothing if I feel that an outfit simply will not work for the portrait. I may click off a few frames as a test, but if it's just not working it is truly in your best interest when I ask that you select another outfit for the session.
Stripes, checks, plaid, polka-dots, and patterns of any kind, are extremely distracting in pictures and should be avoided.
Dark colors work well against a dark background to make the subject's face prominent. Bright colors draw attention away from the face. Red will always draw the most attention no matter where it is placed in the image. Dark colors will recede and light or bright colors will appear more prominent.
For baby or toddler portraits, simple clothing in pastel colors or white works very well and is a classic choice. Shirtless boys in overalls and bare feet are just so adorable. Kids & skin are a natural match.
Newborns in their birthday suits are cute as a button! Oh, and please do know in advance that your baby, in a time honored tradition, is virtually guaranteed to water my floor! If I cared about such things, I would not be spending my time as a baby photographer! So PLEASE, do not be embarrassed when the inevitable happens.
High-key photography, such as a portrait on the beach, or in a room with pale walls and furniture, would call for clothing that would blend in with such colors. Pastels, white dresses, or white on white, can be nice for high-key images. For the beach, faded blue jeans paired with white shirts, or beige/tan slacks with light blue shirts are a nice combination.
Family Portraits: Coordinated outfits on siblings are unifying and tie everyone together, supporting the relationship. Select either a warm OR cool color palette for all the subjects in the portrait. Warm tones such as colors in the brown family, also include colors with undertones of pinks, yellows, and reds. Cool tones include blacks, greys, or blues. All the people being included in the family portrait should be dressed in one tone - either cool or warm. If not, the individual who deviates from the others will, by default, become the center of attention, looking quite out of place. For conformity, as well, the clothing should all be casual or or all dressy, but not some casual and some dressed up, even if the colors or tones are matching.
Accessories & props add the finishing touch to your children's portraits. Be sure to have your child's favorite toys on hand as props. A favorite stuffed animal dangling from a little hand makes for a cherished children's portrait. Baseball mits and hats are adorable accessories. Such favored toys and blankies also make the child feel more comfortable during the portrait session, allowing their precious little personality to shine through.
To raise the cuteness level through the roof, there's just nothing more adorable than playing dress-up. Mom's dress, shoes, necklace, hat, and gloves are outrageously adorable on you little girl! Dad's work uniform... fireman boots & hat, or his softball uniform are over-the-top cute on his son! Whatever work, hobby, or fun props you think might be adorable, or mean something special to you, will be a welcome addition to your children's photo session! Let your imagination run wild!
One more tip... be sure to schedule your portrait session for a time that works well with your child's nap. Babies & toddlers are happiest right after a nap & lite snack!
Call us now to schedule your family or
childrens portrait photography session
516 . 383 . 6370
Copyright on all photographs is retained by J Richards. Images may be used on her website and in her portfolio, literature, advertising, contests, etc. Her images also often appear in books, newspapers and magazines.
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We accept payment via cash, major credit cards, & Paypal
all session fees are non-refundable
* Serving NY in Nassau & Suffolk County Long Island, & North-Eastern Queens (Bayside, Bay Terrace, Douglaston, Little Neck, Hollis HIlls)
