Tips for a Successful Family Portrait

Memorable portraits take careful planning, and the decisions you make are very important to your portrait's success. These tips will help you to make appropriate choices.

Color—We suggest no more than three solid colors be used in total.
Some color combinations that work well are:
  • White, black, and red
  • Khaki, white, and blue
  • Khaki, green, and yellow
Clothing—Long sleeve shirts and blouses are preferable for most people. The emphasis of the portrait is your face, not your arms. Avoid stripes and plaids as they rarely complement one another. If feet are visible, the shoe style and color should match.

Style—If your family is casual, then choose a less formal setting, such as a park or your own yard. For formal portraits, men should wear jackets and ties, and the women should coordinate with each other as to dress style and length. The degree of formality will, of course, depend on your location choice.