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Student Body Basics

Clothing can make or break your session. Here are a few tips to help you in selecting your clothing and preparing for your session. Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

DO NOT GET SUNBURNED - It's almost impossible to remove a peeling nose or a bright red sunburned face with artwork. Getting a dark tan may stretch your skin, giving it a greasy appearance.
HAIR - Should be styled the way you want to look. You may want to have your hair professionally styled, this is a growing trend in our area. For guys - schedule your haircut at least a week prior to photograph day to avoid the "just cut" look. Hair spray is great to keep control. For girls - have your perm and/or color well in advance, so you are comfortable with the length and style. Arrange your hair in your favorite style (hold with a wisp of spray).
GLASSES - If you normally wear glasses, they should be worn for your session. However, it is necessary that you borrow (and return promptly) a set of frames without the lenses from your optometrist. This will eliminate reflections and distortions. Photogray lens will turn darker when photographed. Shadows from bows cannot be eliminated. We cannot be responsible for your portrait if you neglect to borrow empty frames.
BRACES - If you wear braces and don't want to order portraits with your braces showing, we can photograph you with the braces on for the yearbook (2-3 preview selection) and as soon as the braces come off you can come back to finish this session. There is no additional charge for this service, but please let us know far in advance. Computer retouching may also be another alternative, please ask us about this.
MAKE-UP - Even though the trend is for less make-up, we really suggest wearing it for your portrait. A good base, set with powder evens out the skin tone. Lipstick and eye make-up help to sharpen and define the lips and eyes. Make-up will also make your previews look better. Your hands will show in the photographs, make sure fingernails are groomed.
GUYS - SHAVE. While a little five o'clock shadow may look really sharp, the lights may wash it out and make it look like fuzz.
GIRLS - For your traditional head and shoulder poses a sweater is always best. Consider a texture woven into the material. Avoid prints, patterns and high contrasting clothing. Long sleeves are always the most flattering, but a MUST for head and shoulder outfit.
GUYS - For your traditional head and shoulder poses, a suit with coordinating pants still looks sharp. This is really becoming more popular again. Sweaters photograph well as they lay nicely and show less folds in the clothing. A vest with dress pants are great too, however, not necessarily the best for the head and shoulder outfit.
COLORS - For the head and shoulder outfit stay with medium shades. Not light, not dark right in the middle. Earth tones photograph extremely well and look really nice for the session. Avoid black or dark colors for head and shoulders outfit only. Blacks and browns photograph nicely as will mono tone outfits. Avoid wearing plaids, stripes, checks, polka dots, etc. These busy clothes tend to distract from you, the subject.
ANYTHING ELSE? - All outfits should be complete from head to toe including shoes, socks, nylons, jewelry - everything. To offer you more variety, we will take more than just head and shoulder poses in your first outfit. Tightly fitted or short skirts are really hard to pose in and are limiting. Keep jewelry simple. Coordinate your outfit (top only) to match your hair tone (never pure white or solid black). So be prepared and HAVE FUN!

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