Casual or formal portraits-how do we decide?
The first questions I might ask new clients are about who they are interested in having a portrait taken of. A single child or a set of siblings, possibly the family? Next I want to know if there is a specific reason that they are commissioning a portrait now, maybe a life event or change? Many it is usually because they are past due to update a family or child. Each subject’s personality, style, interests and even status as well as manner help me during the creative process in guiding clients with clothing and colors. I take into consideration where it will hang and what style their home and specifically how that room is decorated.
The answers to these inquiries help the me in many ways, and they are beneficial to helping guide clients to whether the portrait should have a more formal or casual style. Formal doesn’t always mean stiff and posed while casual doesn’t always mean running down a beach either. I love having a client in formal clothing but leaning back casually in a chair more relaxed and natural.
I usually encourage clients to bring both elegant-semi formal and casual attire and we will capture different sides of their personalities.
Children are fun to capture in casual photographic portraits being playful and then elegant all dressed up. If clients want family casual, then the children dressier that is a great way to not have all your art on your walls look the same. I change my photographic backgrounds for each look or we can do half outdoors and half in the studio with our beautiful studio lighting.
So, if you cannot decide- just do both! Here is a sample of casual and fun as well as formal during the same session.
As always- just call me with any questions-let me take the stress out of planning your portrait session.
View our galleries on the website or on our facebook page for more portrait ideas.
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