The following are some general guidelines. Be sure to consult with your photographer for his or her specific recommendations.

The clothing you choose should be appropriate for the type of portrait you desire, whether casual or formal. Your choice should reflect your family’s personality.

It is a good idea to keep the clothes fairly simple. You want the eyes of the viewer of your portrait drawn to your family members, not their clothing. Coordinate for balance, harmony, and color. Subtle shades of color look best.

Solid colors usually work best, keeping them in similar tonal ranges, i.e. either all light or all dark. Keeping them the same color with slight variations of hue within the same color work best.

Long sleeves, slacks or long skirts are a better choice than sleeveless shirts, short skirts or shorts. Light colored arms or legs could distract within a generally darker toned portrait.

Dress for full-length photographs. It's a good idea to have everyone in the portrait match on the lower half, giving a solid foundation to your portrait. Don't forget socks and shoes in your preparation, as they may be included in the portrait.

Formal portraits will look best with suits and ties for the men and dresses or blazers for the women. Ties and scarves may add a splash of color, as long as they are not overly distracting.

Jeans and casual attire will offer a more relaxed look, if that is your desire.

A few other suggestions

If you wear eyeglasses most of the time, you’ll probably want to be photographed with them. To eliminate glare or distortion, borrow frames without lenses from your optical store or have your lenses removed. This will save you the cost of removing glass glare from your portrait.

Keep jewelry and other accessories simple.  Wide gold and silver necklaces may cause a glare.

Try to have any haircuts or perms done at least one week before your session. It is best to wear your hair the way you normally do. Trying something new on the day of your portrait rarely works out well!

Turtlenecks or V-necks are flattering provided that neither is exaggerated in style.

Apply make-up as you normally would, an even foundation that matches your skin tone, mascara and a touch of lipstick. Also bring along translucent powder to eliminate any shine.

Stray hair, tan lines and sunburn can be costly to correct, so pay attention to sun exposure in the days before your portrait session.

Enjoy your session! Value the resulting portrait!