Frank Portell Photography - Austin , Dripping Springs, Hays County Photographer www.seephotographs.com
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST IN PHOTOS
(Follow these tips to reduce the need for retouching)
 

WOMEN

  • This advice is how to look good for a traditional portrait.  If  you’re preparing for a graduation portrait, or if you have wild tastes feel free to wear whatever you like. It is your personality that we’re trying to show in photographs. With that said here’s some practical advice.
  • Wear clothing that fits properly and are freshly cleaned and ironed. Look at yourself in the mirror to make sure it isn’t sagging or wrinkled.
  • Unless you are a wearing a bridal dress, avoid wearing white because it draws the viewer’s attention away from the face to white areas. It makes people look larger in photographs because your eye is drawn to it. Middle tone and darker colors (especially solids) are flattering for most people.
  • Avoid sleeveless clothes for the same reasons as not wearing white.
  • Avoid thin fabrics where a bra strap or tan line will show through sheer fabrics. Make sure your clothing looks smooth over your undergarments so that you don’t see patterns or clips through the fabric.
  • Avoid clothes with fine lines that are close together like herringbone patterns. Pin stripes are okay if the lines are far apart.
  • Avoid a dress/blouse that plunges low or shows too much of your legs.
  • Bring makeup, powder, and compact mirror for touchups.
  • Shiny skin can cause problems in your portrait so put on plenty of power to eliminate shine.  Digital photography seems to shine more than what is apparent to your eye when looking in a mirror.
  • Most lotions will create shine and should not be used unless your skin looks dry without it.  If you are going to put on lotion, do it a couple hours before your portrait and it won’t look as shiny.
  • Lipstick or lip balm are fine. It’s ok for the lips to have some shine.
  • The eyes are the most important part of the portrait.  Use powder, eyeliner, mascara to make your eyes look their very best!
  • Bring a hairbrush.
  • Make sure there is no lipstick or food on your teeth.
  • For outdoor portraits, bring something to hold your hair in place
  • Keep the jewelry simple as it draws the viewer’s eye.
  • Important: See section below about eyeglass distortion.

 

MEN
 

  • Wear freshly cleaned and ironed clothes.
  • Avoid white as it draws attention to itself in photos and can cause problems during printing
  • Avoid clothes with fine lines that are close together like herringbone patterns. Pin stripes are okay if the lines are far apart.
  • Wash your face with soap and water just before the session.
  • Bring a comb or brush.
  • If necessary shave just before the session.
  • Be sure to trim any nose or ear hair.
  • Make sure that your shoes are polished and socks are appropriate if you will be in full length photos.
  • Be sure to keep cell phones, wallets, glasses, pens, phones, etc. out of your pockets during the photo session.
  • See section below about eyeglass distortion.

 

EYEGLASS DISTORTION - EVERYONE

If you prefer to be photographed with  your eyeglasses please be aware of eyeglass distortion that can sometimes occur with some strong eyeglass prescriptions. You can see this effect by standing in front of a mirror and slowly turning your head.  See the example photo at right. Notice that edge of the face is distorted as the lens bends the light inward.  Instead of seeing the skin around the eyes you see the background. This can sometimes be corrected by positioning the face at just the right angle. Often it cannot and to solve the problem complex retouching is needed to combine two photos of you (with and without your glasses). If you want to avoid additional retouching fees here are some options:

  • Take some photos without glasses
  • Wear contact lenses
  • Wear frames that have the lenses removed
  • Wear reading glasses (often do not cause distortion)