Tips on

Family Photography

Preparing For Your Family Portrait

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Preparing your family for your portrait session at Highland Photography is the first step in creating a portrait you will treasure forever. Here are a few simple steps you can take at home to help us help you when you bring your family to the studio.

1. Relax...
Sounds too simple to work but when a parent is nervous or apprehensive, children (especially under the age of 4) tend to get nervous and apprehensive right along with them. So take a deep breath and remember that unless you've been with us before, that this is going to be totally different than any photographic experiences you've ever had. Bill has a style all his own....and he works very hard at making your portrait session a very fun, entertaining and very efficient experience.

2. Dealing with Family Members...
We understand that not everyone in the family is going to be keen or hip to the idea about having a family portrait done....especially teenagers!!....Just let them know, first...it won't be as bad as going to the dentist (sorry to you dentists out there reading this!!)....secondly...it's something very important to you...and lastly....that the entire session should take less than an hour from start to finish out of their busy day.......

3. What to wear...
Clothing is an important factor in a portrait. The more appropriate the clothing, the more successful the portrait. Here are a few little tips that can help you select an outfit that will both photograph well and produce a lovely cherished portrait for you:

• Keep it simple. The more complex the outfit the more likely it is that part of it will be out of place during the session. You want the area of contrast (the area that the eye is drawn to in a portrait) to be your faces...not your outfits. Strong primary colors are great on traffic lights because they grab your attention but they're not good for family portraits for the reason given above. The same is true of high contrast outfits (e.g. light top with dark pants or vise versa) such as black and white together. (Unless this is a look you are going for....such as a black-and-white portrait, etc....)
• As a rule of thumb, put light colors together and put dark colors together...mid-tones can go alone or with either light or dark. Some of the best sessions we have had are something like denim or dark (black) shirts with khaki pants.
• Patterns are fine if they are very subdued...a strong pattern competes with your family for attention. So avoid bold stripes, plaids and big emblems or designs. They will only detract from your faces...which is the main focus of a family portrait.
• Make sure everyone in the family portrait is in the same tonal range....meaning...don't have everyone in dark outfits....and one person in bright yellow or orange...once again...the eye is attracted to the area of contrast, and the eye will be drawn only to that one person in the odd outfit.
• Decide what style of family portrait you want. Do you want it a formal (traditional) style....or do you want something more of a casual (contemporary) style? Do you want to be photographed indoors......or maybe go outdoors? Do you want to maybe have us come to your home for a very personalized style of portrait?

Totally confused yet? Don't be!!...these are not carved in stone rules...they're just suggestions! But honestly....you know what you and your family look good in....and trust your own instincts......and if all else fails...come in and look at some of our samples....or talk with Bill......

4. What to expect...
When most people arrive at the studio, they need a moment to get settled in. That's why we plan on taking the first 5-10 min. to let you get comfortable and let your family get comfortable with us. Bill will come out and talk with you about what it is you are looking for in your family portrait, the style that you want, and any special ideas that you were maybe thinking of. Remember, it's okay to arrive a few minutes early but avoid getting here too early because in most cases there's a session scheduled before you and we don't want to use up your family's patience just waiting.

Finally, if there is anything we can do to make your portrait experience better, please let us know. You can reach us by phone:

Tues., Wed., or Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday from 12:00 noon - 8:00pm
Saturday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon

We encourage you to stop by and look at our samples to get ideas for your family's portrait. Call our studio at 563-886-1510 or 1-866-886-1510 toll free if you have any specific questions. We look forward to creating a portrait of your family that you will treasure forever.

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