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Beautiful and memorable portraits don't just happen, they are carefully planned. Our goal is to photograph you in an artistic and flattering way that will create a timeless portrait. We can not accomplish this, however, without your help. Please take a few moments to look over the following suggestions to see how you may participate in the planning of your portrait. We are here to help. Feel free to discuss any questions or ideas you have in advance of your session. We encourage a pre-portrait planning session at your location or ours as an important part of the portrait process. The proper clothing and hairstyle can make or break a portrait.  Where you are going to display your portraits is also an important consideration. Please spend time to think about these matters and consult with us. Location, decor, and wall space where the portraits will be displayed should be considered. Interior designers recommend that a piece of art should occupy at least 50% of the wall space available. Otherwise, the viewer's attention will be drawn to the wall rather than the art. For a prominent space in your home, you will need a larger portrait or grouping of smaller prints. We can help you choose the correct portrait sizes for presentation in your home or office. Studio  -  Environmental  - Dressing to Enhance Your Portrait     Studio Sessions -  Our goal is to make a unique and artful image that captures the subject's character and individuality. We believe portrait sessions should be fun and easy and we'll do everything in our power to make them that way. So, just relax, have fun and it will show in the results.  Originals remains the property of the studio and prints are priced separately. Try to be on time for your portrait session. If you see that you will be late, or need to reschedule your appointment, please call and let me know as soon as possible. Be sure to schedule your session at a time when you won't be rushed. Many portrait sessions take an hour or less, but I like to allow one and a half hours, especially for families. back to top       Outdoor location shoots - Outdoor location shoots provide a greater variety of backgrounds and vary depending upon where you live in Mississippi. There are several factors however, that must be taken in consideration when shooting outdoors: Outdoor photo sessions are generally scheduled for early morning and late afternoons in the summer months. Weather becomes an important factor that must be taken into consideration when scheduling.  We recommend pastel colors, sweater sets, polos, denim shirts, collared shirts, tailored blouses, tank tops . Avoid clothing with plaids, dots or stripes. For the more dramatic model head-shots medium to dark colors may be considered.  The 3/4 length commercial shot for models is generally taken from the knees up and you will want to dress accordingly. Models please keep jewelry to a minimum.    Although natural lighting from the sun can often be the best possible, it's not dependable. If an appointment is scheduled, there's no guarantee that the outdoor lighting will be good. If you wish to have an outdoor portrait you'll need to be flexible as to timing. back to top       Dressing to Enhance Your Portrait- Looking your best takes a bit of time. Your clothes should be wrinkle-free. Take some time with your hair, and try to be rested and relaxed. You need to help us help you look your best.  Your portraits can be casual or formal, in black & white or color. You should discuss your preferences with us, as well as your clothing choices. Generally we suggest dark-colored, plain, knit tops, and simple slacks. Alternatively, plain, white or very light-colored tops can work, especially for very fair skinned children. Some of the most successful and timeless individual and group portraits have the subjects in dark turtlenecks or denim shirts, wearing khakis or jeans. For casual dress, choose comfortable outfits that are flattering and make you feel good. Knits photograph very well, as they rarely show wrinkles. Plain necked tops, sweaters, turtlenecks, and or denim shirts are a good bet for men and women. A light to medium colored shirt worn under a dark sweater works well, also. The face should be the focal point. Avoid large or bold patterns and bright colors that tend to draw attention away from the face. Long sleeves are recommended for everyone -- except very small children and infants. Formal clothing limits the types of poses that are possible. If men choose to wear a coat and tie, wear a simple, navy blue or black jacket, and a white or light blue shirt. Tie selection is up to you; if in doubt, bring several. Starched shirts worn without a jacket show innumerable wrinkles. Men should shave just prior to their session to avoid a "five o'clock shadow." Again, long sleeves for the ladies and gentlemen. Families or groups should choose a color theme and style that simplifies the look of the group. Too many busy patterns and colors are especially distracting in group portraits. While all the clothing does not have to match, the colors should be harmonious. This is true even in black and white portraits, and is critical in color portraits. Again, dark knits, denim, and khaki all work well. Coordinate the clothing for all subjects in a group portrait to avoid creating dramatic or conflicting focal points that distract from the group as a whole. An example of this would be one person wearing a white shirt when everyone else is wearing black. The focal point becomes the white shirt. Remember that dark clothing tends to minimize body size, and light tones tend to emphasize body size. If someone is self-conscious about their size, this guideline should be kept in mind. Children's clothes should be chosen with care. Bring several outfits; casual clothes are usually best. If you want a dressy photograph, have the child wear the dressy outfit to the studio, and bring the play clothes. To avoid tears, be sure the child likes the clothes you bring. You may also want to bring a young child's favorite toys and blanket. Keep in mind that the appeal of some children's cute or decorative clothes may be short lived. When in doubt, plain is better. It is best to select clothing that will withstand the test of time. If make-up is worn, it should be applied with a light hand. Mascara will help emphasize the eyes, the point of interest in a fine portrait. The photographs are much better if you'll wear a just a little more make-up than you usually do. With black & white film, you may look a little "washed-out" if you don't. Try to avoid having your hair done in a new way on the day of your session. Glasses wearers, try to have your optician give you empty frames to wear during your session. Not only do glasses catch light reflections, but they can also deform facial lines. For the best look, however, borrow the empty frames. If you wear wire frames, I can probably remove the lenses here at the studio. Contacts do not pose a problem. back to top

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