ABOUT CLOTHING,         COLOR, TONE              AND STYLE When more than one person is to appear in the portrait, or when a special stylistic effect is desired, clothing can make or break a portrait.

SKIN TONE CONSIDERATIONS Whether working with light or dark complexions the objective is for the face to dominate the portrait.  Accordingly, Skin highlights must be the lightest, brightest, or most intense areas of the portrait.  So when a medium to dark background is used, all subjects photograph best in medium to dark tones, whatever the skin tone. CLOTHING FOR GROUPS Couples or small groups should choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges.  When subjects appear in a mixture of light and dark tones together, there is visual confusion - as the light color comes forward, and the dark color recedes.  When this happens, one person becomes dominant and appears heavier than in reality. CLOTHING FOR FAMILIES In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical.  Choose clothing in the same tonal ranges so that no single member of the family stands out because the clothing is too light or bright as compared to the rest of the group.