I recently replied to an email asking "what should we wear" in regards to a couple shoot.
My advice for what to wear for families is slightly different, since there is my flexibility when it is a portrait of just one or two people. Here is how I respond to the question.
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With just the 2 of you, I'm sure whatever you select will be fine. Keep in mind where you want to display the portrait, if it is a wall size image, think of the room it is going in and the expression and feeling you want from it in that space. Is it formal or casual, and have both of you dress in the same mood, not one person dressy and one person casual.
I have not seen an attachment with images, but following those basic thoughts you should be fine. Groups are harder to coordinate, but when it is 1 and 2, there is less to 'clash' and you can show more personality.
- Solids vs. plaids/stripes
- Long sleeve vs. short
- Try layering (see if when wearing his shirt, if it wrinkles up when he moves/sits, it's best to have a textile that is plyable, and not 'stiff', non-wrinkling, and wear a layering piece (t-shirt under a sweater or jean jacket for example)
- Layer for yourself as well, if it works, with a jacket, cardigan, scarf (that's not too thick that it drowns you).
I know that sounds like I'm dressing you for fall/winter, but in the photos you won't be able to tell the temperature...it's easy with summer clothes to have patterns that are distracting and bare arms that are distracting.
however, if you think you are ordering a smaller prints meant for the shelf and gifts, then prints and short sleeves may be fine.
In the end the most important thing is that you are comfortable, and the two of you look like you are going to the same event, whether you decide on casual or formal or in-between.