BLOG DESCRIPTION:  Preparing for a business portrait if very effective and quite affordable!  (read on for more ideas)

DRESSING FOR A BUSINESS PORTRAIT

Here are some helpful hints and advice that will help you get ready for your business portrait.

If your comapny is planning to photograph a group of business professionals for your website, business cards or other advertisements, I recommend that you keep color choices simple: 

Colors should be within the same color range.   Solids work best. 

Discourage professionals in your group from wearing different patterns and too wide a variety of colors.  Color harmony is so important when working with a large group.  

Follow these simple rules to avoid anything that might distract the viewer.   I suggest everyone wear a color or colors with in the same color palette.   Keep to darks and earth tones.  Most people look great in warm earth tones or black.  The brightest thing in the image should be your faces so people see YOU immediately.  Try to go with a solid versus a pattern.  If you choose a pattern make sure it is simple, has similarity in the overall color palette. Small patterns, classic ones or very subtle ones can work if you stay with a darker overall pattern.  

For example: A great dark suit can work well with a red power tie in a classic pattern.

Thinking about how your location will effect what you choose to wear:  

 Are you planning a location for your portraits that will work with what you will be wearing. 

For example: Dressing overly professional in a casual outdoor setting might not work.  That being said dressing to professional outside may not work.  Think about your location and the image you want to portray. Below are ways you can stay true to your personal brand and still look great outside!

Try to choose colors that will not detract from your company logo or website backgrounds:

 Choose selections that will fit the style you envision and you wish to portray for your business.  Remember to stay true to your professional or personal branding to ensure a cohesive blend with your web and on-line persona.

Avoid dressing too much alike as a group:

  When planning your company portraits, you may think it's a great idea for everyone to dress very similar.  Be careful not to make your group will look more like a family portrait than a professional group.  Unless your employees are required to wear uniforms, I recommend you allow them to choose similar colors but show a little personal style.  

Individual business portraits are a perfect way to to date social media image for

facebook, instagram, linkedin and twitter:

Taking time to plan ahead with your photographer can give you a great session.  The two portraits at the top of the blog were chatted about over the phone and planned ahead of time allowing her to several different looks that are both fun and professional.   It takes just about and hour of your time to be photographed.    A well planned session with give you great images to choose from and great looks for where ever you want an updated look.  Here are a few more from the same session.

Now that you know what to wear, you are ready to go!  

 Relax and enjoy updating your business portraits.  We recommend taking a look at your images annually and suggest updating as needed based on job and work place changes.