Trying to snap the perfect photo for your holiday greeting card is not without challenges, especially if you are trying to coordinate multiple family members, including Fido and Fifi. In addition to the setting and composition, color is a huge factor when shooting group shots.
I’m not big on having each member of the family don matchy-matchy outfits. However, it is a good idea to employ some semblance of color coordination when shooting a family photo. This is especially true if your group contains five or more subjects. After all, you don’t want one part of the clan to be sporting checkered tops and the other to be wearing floral jackets on the day of the big photo shoot.
Professional photographers will tell you that the best group shots feature subjects wearing outfits with the same color scheme. The safest colors for photos are muted tones that don’t distract from a person’s face. Suggested colors include:
*Brown
*Blue
*Rust
*Burgundy
*Mocha
*Hunter green
*Gold
Colors that should be avoided on picture day are:
*Purple
*Neon colors
*Bright red
*Bright green
*Gray
Most people consider black to be a “safe” color to wear in a family portrait. However, most professional photographers warn to avoid wearing black in group shots because the color may cause lighting issues. Err on the side of caution and stick with neutral colors that will accentuate your natural features.
Of course, some color rules can be broken. For example, if you want your shot to feature one member of the family in a more predominant role, then have that person wear a color that stands out for the rest of the clan. In an instance where the family matriarch is being flanked by several generations of children, then it would be fine to have her wear a bright colored outfit while the rest of the group wears muted tones.
Related Articles:
Stocking Stuffers for Your Favorite Shutterbug
Christmas Gift Ideas For Your Favorite Shutterbug
Last-Minute Holiday Picture Taking Advice
Who’s In Your Christmas Card Photo?
Giving the Gift of Photos this Holiday