“Does my butt look big in this?” - What Clothes to Wear in Portraits
This post was submitted by portrait photographer Grant Mayer. It is a ‘classic DPS post’ - one of hundreds from our archives of photography tips.
What Should I Wear in my portrait?
This is a question I get asked a lot by clients - so I thought it might be something that was worth some exploration in a tutorial.
The clothes a person wears in a portrait can have a big impact upon the end result of your image. When talking to a subject about what to wear I generally ask them to bring a few different outfits so that we can have a little variety to work with.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. The comfort of your subject is important - to some extent
One of the challenges of photographing someone that you might not know very well is helping them to relax. I find that the clothes that they wear and the environment that you’re photographing them can have a big impact upon how relaxed they are and how natural they look. If they are happy with how they look then you’ll have a good chance of capturing them looking themselves.
Having said that - sometimes the best shots are of people when they are slightly ‘on edge’ or out of their comfort zone.
I can’t really explain it - but I’ve had some real luck in choosing outfits for people that they might not necessarily have chosen for themselves.
Sometimes throwing a curve ball at your subject in this way can take them slightly out of their comfort zone and get you a ‘wow’ shot.
2. Clothes Can Put People into Context
As much as we all like to talk about not judging a book by it’s cover and getting to know the ‘real person’ before summing them up - a person’s outward appearance says a lot about who they are and what we think of them.
The clothes that a subject wears in a shot will convey meaning and tell those viewing the image something about the person. So think carefully about what you’re trying to achieve with the image and let this be communicated through the clothes that you suggest your subject wears.
ie - if you’re after a fun vibe in your shot let them get a little casual and crazy with their clothes. If you’re wanting to portray them in a more formal way dress them that way.
3. Dark and Plain Clothes
While I generally let my subject choose a few outfits for themselves I almost always ask them to include a darker top in their options.
There’s something about a simple, dark top that allows the real focus of an image to be the persons face. An added bonus of dark clothes is that they tend to be slimming also (so your butt might not look big afterall).
As I looked back over my portfolio recently realized that the majority of portraits that I’d selected to show off my work were of people in fairly plain and unobtrusive clothes. No crazy patterns, lines, dots or bright colors - just understated basics that allowed the person to shine.
One exception to the black/dark top rule is that it can depend upon the complexion of the person. A very fair complexion with a very dark top can be too much of a contrast and when shooting someone with dark skin tones dark clothing can mean not enough contrast.
Another exception to this rule can be with kids whose portraits can come alive when you introduce some nice bright colors. The key however is to watch out for when the bright colors include zany patterns.
4. Collars
Another quick tip which I base upon my portfolio - collared shirts can be an effective thing to have your subjects wear.
I’ve not put a lot of thought into why they work - but particularly when photographing men, I find that a collared shirt has a way of framing the face that can be quite flattering.
I wouldn’t say collars are essential for every shot (I’ve taken plenty of good shots of guys in non collared shirts and T-Shirts) - however there’s something about them that just ‘works’ - at least in my mind.
Long Sleeves and Pants
Lastly - I also like to avoid short sleeved tops or shorts.
When arms and legs are exposed and there’s lots of skin visible I find that it can be a distraction from the main focal point of the photo - the face. That one is just a personal preference though and I’m not even sure why it is that I like to do it that way.
What do You Think?
What’s your view on what clothes you prefer your subjects to wear?
Is it more important to you for your subject to be comfortable or is your style to put them in an outfit that will add something special to the shot.
I am interested to hear your ideas in comments below!
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May 15th, 2008 at 12:52 am
I usually tell the people I take portraits of to wear simple neutral toned clothing with no patterns. I like the white shirt dark pants look on most. But I agree sometimes it isn’t a good contrast or the white shirt is a little bulky.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:51 am
“What should I wear?” This question comes up a lot with people. What I usually say is “keep it simple.” I agree with every tip you’ve given in this article. I just try to make sure that the people are wearing solid, matching colors. I’m a big fan of jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Collars are ALWAYS a great addition for males. With females they can provide help to an otherwise not very flattering neckline. Always remember that jewelry can add or subtract from a photo just as much as a shirt. Try to keep the jewelry simple and with intent. Don’t have five necklaces and three earrings- pick out the most important necklace and the most effective earrings.
Oh yeah– dark collars are great for helping to define a jaw line.
-Aaron Snyder
May 15th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Great tips!
I have an unusual question on family portraits that I’m really struggling with because it HAS to be perfect! I have 4 children, young adults now. I lost one son at 16yo(6 yrs. ago). Unfortunately I don’t have a recent family picture with all of us before he died, so I purchased one of those ‘kits’ where you send them the pics and they do an oil painting. I’ll be using Reid’s last pic his sophomore year where he’s wearing a plaid shirt with a dark T-shirt under. I could have the colors changed but don’t know what we should all wear. It will be just an upper body pic so no pants showing. We’re a casual family so I don’t want to go all formal. My color different, and my daughter’s? Should we all be in white shirts or navy, or all different or what? It will be just me with my daughter and 3 sons. We can also choose a background. I don’t have a clue. I think because it is so important to me, my mind won’t function at all! Please, ANY suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you so much!
corrie
May 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I agree with Melinda. Keep the colors simple. I have had bad experiences with patterned clothing.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
It usually is best to have your subject wear something that conveys something about them. That way it can be called an “environmental portrait”
May 15th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I generally stick to the solid and nuetral colors too, usually I will have them bring along white shirt if possible in case we need to use them to bounce a little light in their faces! It works well for that. But you have to watch it (as I learned recently - thanks DPS) cause sometimes if it gets too bright during your session you can end up with some WAY overexposed shirts!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:54 am
I agree with the long sleeves and pants. How do you stop people from wearing patterns though? I keep getting family portraits where they show up in zany prints after I tell them to avoid patterns and designs.
Then I don’t get a lot of other print sales out of it because they see how silly they look. I like your idea of having them bring multiple outfits - good call. I’ll start to suggest that too!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Great tips, I’m going to my first strobist/portrait meetup next tuesday, and I will certainly keep your words in memory.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:01 am
What about the important question of ‘Should I wear my glasses?’. Especially with stronger prescriptions glasses can distort a persons face. At the same time, people might be unrecognizable without them.
Is there a good way to avoid problems when the subject insists on wearing them?
-jason
May 16th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Good guidelines - my all-time favorite portrait that I’ve ever taken was of someone wearing a black, collared buttondown. I don’t think the photo would’ve been the same had he been wearing anything else.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
You make some excellent points but you’ve put me in a quandry. I’m a woman in a band with 3 guys. What you say about dark colors, collars and long sleeves makes a lot of sense, but I never wear clothes like on stage and I want the photo to convey a sense of the band (a blues/blues rock with some sense of fun). I sometimes wear long sleeves, but usually that’s a colorful kimono top or a kind of retro-60s sort of bell sleeve tunic with some pattern. Or I wear a band t-shirt which is a pastel color with short sleeves. The guys in the band generally wear either band t-shirts or colorful camp-style shirts.
We really need a good, professional photo that conveys the sense of the band and I don’t want our clothes to be a distraction from that.
What to do?
May 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Just came back from directing a photoshoot and all the suggestions you covered were given to the models. Turtlenecks were another option instead of collared clothing and mid-tones were generally preferred to reduce contrast/glare. The other thing to avoid would be shiny fabrics.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I find if you wear no clothes that helps too : )
May 16th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Yup, I agree 100% with no short sleeves and shorts. Human beings are conditioned to look at areas of skin in a photo, so eyes are just drawn away from the focus of the portrait (the face).
May 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
choose a common colour theme such as reds of different shades through all your shirts?
May 17th, 2008 at 5:42 am
I prefer to make my photoshoots clothing optional. It makes the outfit choice much simpler.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Corrie, I would suggest a color pallet from the plaid your son is wearing in his pic. This should allow him to be focus of the pic but also have you all blend. It should balance out the picture and still touch your heart when you look at it. The colors would then also frame the picture. Balance and placement is most important with plaid.
MariaA: texture is great!!! Especially for a blues band shot! It sets you apart from the guys (who should be in long sleeves also)but still has character. Textures look great in black and white too! The mood lighting will be what gives you the feel you are looking for.
All of the suggestions were good and we have had fun with them in the studio and out. I prefer to shoot people with long sleeves because the arm looks wider with a horizontal line through it. But I also have great shots with tank tops!! Especially with younger ones who have great skin. You can check out our site to see what I mean. (If you want to) FullSpectrumAntioch.com
Candace
May 20th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. Clothing optional is an interesting choice, but no. I squeezed my brain a little (ow) and looked in my closet and I realized I have a distressed (kind of like my brain) black leather, collared blazer that might do the trick. One band member has a serious leather motorcycle jacket, one always dresses like a 70s nerd (it’s a retro look since he’s 22) and the other, well, we’ll figure out something to cover him up.
All suggestions gave me a little part of the puzzle and Candace placed the final piece with the idea of texture (great photos, Candace).
Thinking this through has been a big relief to me because I’m a worrier.
Much obliged, all!