Advising clients on what to wear in family group shots

urbanaries

If one more person asks me this I am going to scream.

Instead, I think I need to build a page on my website to advise. Then I can scream a little quieter as I send them this link when I get the inevitable phone call or email sure to generate more replies and questions.

Do any of you have rules of thumb you would recommend I include, or know of examples of these types of advisory pages?

(Obviously I tend to beat around the bush and not get to the point, so I'm hoping to avoid continuing to do that to my clients):D

photocat

Is this a question? What is the question?

urbanaries

photocat wrote:

Is this a question? What is the question?

sorry, i was rambling, edited OP and posed a question....

pathfinder

No plaids!!

I prefer colors that are flattering to the individual, ( but I also prefer groups with the same color shirts or blouses.)

Most ladies know if their complexion is a winter, a spring, or a summer or fall. If you know their season, picking colors for them can be rather easy. - http://www.thesoko.com/thesoko/article742.html

Guys may need a clue, but the same advice applies.

urbanaries

pathfinder wrote:

No plaids!!

I prefer colors that are flattering to the individual, ( but I also prefer groups with the same color shirts or blouses.)

Most ladies know if their complexion is a winter, a spring, or a summer or fall. If you know their season, picking colors for them can be rather easy. - http://www.thesoko.com/thesoko/article742.html

Guys may need a clue, but the same advice applies.

Good advice...thanks!
My most challenging conversation is how to advise on group family shots. All one color/complimentary colors/the issue of white and black/ etc. How do others approach this question?

kmh

I'm in the early stages of portrait work (i.e. free!), but I've read a lot about it and here are some of the suggestions I've seen:

*Sticking with the same tones -- light, medium, dark -- and complementary colors
*No busy patterns (detracts from their faces)
*Matching -- like white t-shirts, jeans (supposed to show unity -- I myself prefer non-matching clothes though)
*Darker is better for B&W
*Neutral colors/no patterns/stripes/prints -- more timeless
*Bright/funky colors can be fun (at least for individual shots)

What do you think looks best in your pictures and what do you like? I think writing something up for your clients would be very helpful (I need to do that, too).

photogmomma

You are welcome to check out my FAQ here: www.tippiepics.com/faq. That goes through what to wear and what not to and more....

I am eventually going to add photos as examples with links to more examples, but haven't had the time. One of these days! !

HTH!

Oh, just so you know, I also send this out when I get a new booking. I don't actually provide a link on my main site for it. I give people a small packet of info (mail or PDF) and it includes this info along with a link to the info online.

Angelo

Direct your shoot like an art director would.
Know your location?
Know your lighting?
Know your set?

Have the "models" show up with 3 wardrobe changes. This isn't so hard.

An easy way is to dictate part of the wardrobe, let's say "dark pants only" (black or navy blue) or... khaki (beige) pants only.

for tops, you know you want to avoid whites... so suggest they each bring 3 shirts in a color range...

pink, red, plum or blues to purples or yellows or whatever.

when everyone shows up you'll be able to stage the shot in a way that doesn't look too forced or phoney as many do when eveyone is wearing exactly the same thing.

urbanaries

Angelo wrote:

Direct your shoot like an art director would.
Know your location?
Know your lighting?
Know your set?

Have the "models" show up with 3 wardrobe changes. This isn't so hard. .

For a family shoot, which is what my issue is referring to specifically, you're assuming quite a bit here. For a family of 5 to bring 3 wardrobe changes is a little much.

An easy way is to dictate part of the wardrobe, let's say "dark pants only" (black or navy blue) or... khaki (beige) pants only..

always recommend similar pants, blue jeans mostly b/c they are typically more casual shoots and they convert well to BW. This part is easy; similar tops for a wide range of ages, sizes and genders is a different story.

urbanaries

photogmomma wrote:

You are welcome to check out my FAQ here: www.tippiepics.com/faq. That goes through what to wear and what not to and more....

I am eventually going to add photos as examples with links to more examples, but haven't had the time. One of these days! !

HTH!

Oh, just so you know, I also send this out when I get a new booking. I don't actually provide a link on my main site for it. I give people a small packet of info (mail or PDF) and it includes this info along with a link to the info online.

Very helpful Andi. I think sending the info out upon booking is a GREAT idea.

Thanks!

Lynne

Owen

Avoid "trendy" clothing
No loud patterns, prints or graphics - solid colours are best
Everyone in similar tones - medium to light OR medium to dark
Everyone in similar colour tones - neutral to cool colours are best
Consistency in style - casual, semi-formal, formal, etc.
Eyeglasses - frames with no lenses if possible

Angelo

urbanaries wrote:

For a family shoot, which is what my issue is referring to specifically, you're assuming quite a bit here. For a family of 5 to bring 3 wardrobe changes is a little much.



always recommend similar pants, blue jeans mostly b/c they are typically more casual shoots and they convert well to BW. This part is easy; similar tops for a wide range of ages, sizes and genders is a different story.

If they expect great photos and you expect greater creative latitude I don't think it's too much to ask each family member to bring 3 shirts in a color range you've suggested.

urbanaries

Angelo wrote:

If they expect great photos and you expect greater creative latitude I don't think it's too much to ask each family member to bring 3 shirts in a color range you've suggested.

hmm, you may be right. Have you had success with this? I'd love to see a link to a gallery.

Angelo

urbanaries wrote:

hmm, you may be right. Have you had success with this? I'd love to see a link to a gallery.

I don't shoot family portraits.

As an art director, while I may have staff available to perform these functions (such as wardrobe stylists) my intent was to offer you advice about how you might ease your concerns about this important issue.

When I pull together shoots I will direct a stylist to bring a certain volume of clothing in an array of styles and colors that fit the theme of the shoot. This is often done over the phone, with a list of models sizes, so you can imagine the degree of flexibility she has to build into the wardrobe selection, so the photographer has variety and flexibility.

You need not get as complicated as that, obviously.

urbanaries

Angelo wrote:

I don't shoot family portraits.

As an art director, while I may have staff available to perform these functions (such as wardrobe stylists) my intent was to offer you advice about how you might ease your concerns about this important issue.

When I pull together shoots I will direct a stylist to bring a certain volume of clothing in an array of styles and colors that fit the theme of the shoot. This is often done over the phone, with a list of models sizes, so you can imagine the degree of flexibility she has to build into the wardrobe selection, so the photographer has variety and flexibility.

You need not get as complicated as that, obviously.

I certainly appreciate your perspective. Thanks for your feedback!

§imone

I think you need to find out EXACTLEY what type of photos your clients want. After all these are life long memories for them. Knowing what they want, you then can go from there in advising what clothing they should wear.

ie, fun outdoor thing, casual clothes etc , formal family portait, casual ,smart - dressie etc.

Rule number one, ask questions. I can be a client from hell, last time we had family portaits done, knowing exactley what i wanted etc. But then I guess that takes half the guess work away from the photogpher & the session will run smoothy.