Every image we make is crafted to draw the eye to some specific element in the scene, be it someone’s shoes, face, eyes, the arched line of their back. Clothing can disrupt this “point” or message of the picture, or it can enhance and compliment it. When we shoot couples and families, the problem is compounded.
We suggest that when having group or couples portraits made, each person wear different clothing. Everyone wearing the same thing can be overstated and can result in unforseen complications. An example; the plan is to come dressed in red but inevitably someone will come with more of an orange shade, another with maroon. This just makes the image look less impactful. Some colors are easier to work with than others, of course; black and white are less prone to interpretation.
Still, keep a common theme; colors are typically what families and groups tend to build themes around, but there are plenty of other suggestions: polka dots and other patterns, color families rather than individual colors (each member can be assigned a unique color out of the bold, pastel, or earthy tones, for example), a particular style of clothing (shorts and tank tops, jeans and button-down shirts, or even pajamas), or simply whatever each person is most comfortable in.
I just shot a couple of girls going off to college for the first time – best friends who wanted some professional pictures to hang on their dorm room walls, several hundred miles apart. It was an incredibly fun shoot, with silliness to spare, and their outfits were well-tailored to the occasion. Each wore a brightly colored tank top, and a bow in their hair to match the other girl’s shirt.
Cross Coordination
