Orange County Photographer Mark Jordan Photography

Clothing Primer

INTRO
Mark Jordan Photography ©2010

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing..."

Chances are you probably have not thought of "swing" in terms relating to portrait photography, but in a very real sense it is just as vital to family portraits as it is to jazz. The "swing" we speak of here, however, is emotion.

As a portrait artist, my desire is to create portraits that radiate emotional impact. The ingredients in a portrait of emotional impact are basic yet essential. Three of the elements (composition, lighting and expression) are the most conspicuous. All must be complimentary, natural and genuine. And all three are factors I am responsible in visualizing and manipulating. The same is true for a fourth component as well: clothing. However, clothing is the one integral ingredient where you have the utmost control and final word.

Before creating your portrait, you will have to decide on the clothing you will wear. In making your selections it will be helpful to remember that clothing simply serves as a frame for the face. As in all fine artwork, our eyes are drawn to the focus of the painting while the frame functions as a support for the image. It's the beauty of the artwork we admire, not the frame.

A portrait of emotional impact is best achieved when the viewer's gaze is drawn to the eyes and faces in the portrait. This is why the clothing you choose must not only be complimentary, natural and genuine, but also subdued and unobtrusive. This is crucial to the success of your portrait. So, as you go about the task of selecting your clothing, please keep in mind that ultimately, first and foremost, it is you we want to behold, not your clothing.

The following CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS instruction sheet is provided to facilitate the design of your clothing. Unlike the "Ten Commandments" however, which establish absolutes, our Clothing Suggestions are just that; suggestions. You are under no obligation to conform to our recommendations. You may wear anything you think looks best. Use whatever information you feel is relevant and disregard whatever is not.

Included in our wide array of services is a complimentary Clothing Consultation. Please feel free to drop by or email me an image of your clothing selections. The brief time it will take will give you peace of mind and will make for a relaxing and stress free portrait session. After reading this information should you have any questions, remember, no concern is too small. We look forward to seeing what you've assembled.

ESSENTIALS

KEY & COLOR
Before you begin making your clothing selections, the very first task at hand is to establish the KEY you will be working in. There are three basic KEYS: high, medium and low. These three KEYS simply refer to the mood or style of your portrait, the lightness or darkness of the clothing colors and the corresponding background. When clothing and background correspond we say they are IN KEY. With clothing and background IN KEY, your faces become the most dominant element and thereby giving us a greater opportunity of achieving emotional impact.

Generally speaking, we try to avoid mixing our Keys. For example, we want to stay away from wearing black or denim pants with white shirts. Since the human eye is always drawn to the greatest zone of contrast, the area where mixed keys intersect is where the portrait will have the greatest draw. Most often mixed keys result in the most dominant element being the waistline. Not exactly the makings for a beautiful portrait.

Having said that, there are exceptions. If keys must be mixed it is imperative to keep them within one step of each other. That is, High and Mid Keys can be cautiously mixed, as well as Low and Mid Keys. Rarely is it appropriate, however, to mix Low and High - the contrast is too great.

To discover your KEY, please read the descriptive phrases below and make note of which Key best expresses the style of portrait you have in mind. As you do, please keep in mind people invariably look and photograph best in Mid to Low Keys.

Lastly, be mindful of challenging colors: RED, ORANGE, YELLOW and WHITE. As to red, orange and yellow, because they are dominant colors in the spectrum, they tend to be the most intense element in any portrait. Whereas these colors are manageable within individual portraits, they are challenging to tame in family or group portraits. White, although appropriate for children and lighter backgrounds, is generally not a forgiving choice. White tends to add visual weight and its stark contrast is not flattering on most skin tones.

Also, please be aware that the lighting for High Key portraits tends not to be as three-dimensional as the other keys. This is because when working with the lighter, High Key colors, we lessen the intensity of the shadow so as not to allow the darker value of the shadow to distract or demand the viewer's attention. In lowering the ratio of contrast between light and shadow, the dimensionality of the portrait is subsequently reduced. Thus, the consequence is a less dimensional, "flatter" looking portrait.

STYLE & FABRIC
• A Pattern or Design that is simple and plain tends to photograph best. They are not distracting and will not draw attention away from the face. Patterns may be selected just as long as the design is muted and unobtrusive. Remember, simplicity is the key.
• Observe the Fold of the fabric. It should have supple, rounded edges to it. Does it form sharp creases or is it resilient with pliable curves? As you might have guessed, just as in our relationships, we prefer fabric with flexible, soft edges...
• Fabric should be soft and not easily wrinkled. To determine whether or not a piece of clothing will work, do the “rumple test.” Take the fabric in your hand and rumple it into a ball. If it bounces back without creasing, the fabric will do just fine.
• Clothing should have a loose fit. The tighter the clothing the heavier the look and the more challenging it can be to appear and be comfortable.
• The Weight & Season of the fabric must also be planned. Heavy materials denote cool weather while light fabrics implies a feeling of warmer climes. Some materials appear to be worn in winter while others seem to be most appropriate for Spring.

HARMONY VS MATCHING
There is a vast misconception when it comes to making clothing selections for portraits. The confusion arises out of our desire to acquire the "perfect" portrait. First of all, let me dispel this notion: there is no such animal as the perfect portrait. There are, however, portraits of excellence. Before we move into this arena, however, we must first unravel the puzzle of Harmony vs Matching. The reality of it is actually not that difficult at all.

Simply put, in making our clothing selections our task is to discern which aspects of harmonizing and matching requires which approach. In a nut shell, your focus in coordinating your portrait clothing is to harmonize the colors and garment style while matching the characteristics of the fabrics. The chart below will help you better understand these characteristics. As always, should you have ANY questions, no concerns is too small.

FOUNDATION UP

Our goal in coordinating color is to achieve color harmony, not matching. Generally speaking, we do not wish for clothes to match perfectly but it is proper for the pants to be relatively close in color and design. However, we suggest you give more attention to harmonizing color over matching. For example, should you choose to wear denim, one pair might be a lighter or a darker blue than another pair. This is desirable. A khaki pair of pants may be a different shade than all the other pairs. Again, this is preferable. Your family portrait will look more natural.

There are two occasions, however, where it might be best to have foundational colors match: when the chosen foundation is either white or black. In such an instance, you may opt to have every pant/dress to be all white or all black.

Dress length is not to be overlooked; a short dress, standing, becomes a mini skirt, sitting. Portraits look best when bare knees do not show (unless we're creating a beach portrait where shorts are acceptable).

It is acceptable to combine pants and dresses in a family portrait. However, I suggest that only females wear the dresses.

As a rule of thumb, we suggest avoiding patterns in both pants and skirts/dresses. There are always exceptions but be very careful when opting to do so

SHIRTS & TOPS
• Garments with NO PATTERNS tend to work best. Remember, we want the viewer's gaze to be drawn to faces, not a clutter of busy patterns. If necessary, a VERY subdued pattern is acceptable, and if it blends well with the thematic colors.
• Longer Sleeves always work best. Sleeves with a 3/4 length or longer (covering the elbow) prove to be the most flattering. Any sleeve length shorter than 3/4 has the tendency to diminish the visual impact on the face by drawing the viewer's eye toward the elbow, upper arms and shoulders. This also tends to add visual weight.

VESTS, SCARFS, and SWEATERS
• Please keep these accessories simple. If patterned, keep them subdued and incorporate colors in harmony with your basic theme.
• Keep fabrics SOFT and flowing
• Collar variety is a little known design technique we suggest you take advantage of - it adds interest and keeps garments from looking too "cloned." Any type of collar is fine. However, avoid excessively high collars (unless you desire to be confused with an Elvis impersonator). Also avoid excessively low collars.

SOCKS, FOOTWEAR & BELTS
• Footwear must be in KEY with portrait clothing and background. For Park Portraits, any DARK color shoe will do. Brown, Navy and Black work best. Sandals and flip-flops are also standard fare. For beach portraits, however, barefoot is the only way to go.
• Please do your utmost to select footwear with either no design or a plain one. That is, avoid footwear with patterns and color accents (typically gym-shoes) which draw the viewer's attention toward the feet.
• As to Socks & Belts, if not managed properly, they too will draw the viewer's eyes away from the faces and direct them toward the feet/ankles and waist. Understandably, this small area is where many a portrait can go awry, in a hurry. People often think they "know better" or they are the exception. They reason that their OFF KEY socks, flats or belt will be much too insignificant to been seen. WRONG! ANY color in these areas that is NOT in KEY with the other thematic colors will be as striking as lightening in the night sky. Enough said.

MAKEUP
• Makeup that is SIMPLE and appropriate to your lifestyle always yields the most flattering look. In general, colors should not be too dark (especially around the eyes) or too dazzling.
• All women need some level of makeup or they will appear flat, dull and lifeless. Men, you are excused - no makeup required. I know it's not fair, but that's just the way it is.
• As a rule, if you wear:
- no makeup, apply a medium application.
- light to medium application, apply evening to slightly heavy makeup.
- heavy makeup, Lady Gaga may be a good prototype, though a tad overstated.

HAIR
• SIMPLE is the operative word.
•A family portrait is not the time to try a new hair style.
• If a hair cut is in order, allow a week to ten days to shed the "new-cut" look.
• Bring your favorite hair spray (especially for beach portraits), brush and hand mirror if desired.
• Since the "window to our soul is through our eyes," we suggest keeping hair out of your soul...

As always, should you have any question, no concern is too small.

SUM & SUBSTANCE

JEWELRY
• SIMPLE
• Simple earrings are preferred. Large dangling ones do not photograph well as they will never stay put...
• Necklaces look best when they are simple and not bulky. Avoid ones that will neither hang behind or atop your blouse. Also avoid necklaces that spin around easily. Know where you want it be and make sure it stays there. It is very disappointing to see your necklace half in/out with the backside your pendant sparkling. It is also time consuming to remedy in artwork.
• In general, most watches are fine. Keep big, bulky ones at home, unless you wish your watch to be a focal point in the portrait. If you have a "white spot" on your wrist, apply a dab of makeup to lessen the contrast (or we could opt to place it so it will not be seen by the camera).

GLASSES
• Glasses not only catch light reflection but they also distort contour facial lines. Artwork to remove glass glare and restore facial lines is not included in the price of your portraits. Glass glare removal may be requested, however. The costs vary depending on the extent of artwork required. Though we do provide this service at cost, it can become expensive.
• If you wear glasses, and wish to avoid glass glare/reflections and facial distortion, you have three options
1. have your optician supply you with empty rims for the day of your appointment
2. pop the lenses prior to your portrait (be sure to bring a secondary pair...)
3. wear only non-glare lenses (doing so will lessen glare but do nothing to mitigate distortion of contour facial lines)
• Transition lenses are especially troublesome and must be avoided completely.
• Contact lenses may be worn and pose no challenge.

AVOID
• AVOID Perfectly MATCHING the Colors and Design of Clothing. Loosen up you perfectionists (Oh, that's me!).
• AVOID busy PATTERNS.
• AVOID BEING "CREATIVE" with colors and patterns (wear only thematic colors).
• AVOID STIFF fabrics and materials that wrinkle easily. If your clothing requires heavy ironing, it's probably the wrong piece to wear. If you've slept in it and it still look fresh - bull's-eye!
• AVOID anything TIGHT. Soft, flowing lines are better aesthetically. You will also appear more svelte.
• AVOID WHITE & LIGHT if there are weight concerns. Be especially attentive to pants unless expanding your "foundation" by 10-20 pounds is your objective.
• AVOID LOOKING AROUND during the portrait session. Your children and shoes aren't going anywhere unless you are. Besides, the top of your head is not usually very attractive. The best place to land your gaze is at the center of the lens.
• AVOID feeling the pressure to purchase expensive clothing to keep in line with the color theme. If you must purchase something, it does not need to be costly. The camera cannot perceive value. The reality of the most elaborately designed sets in Hollywood movies would not even impress Homer Simpson. QUALITY cannot be detected. The only element that matters is the harmony of the colors and the matching of the fabric's characteristics.
• AVOID being late for your portrait session. Having to RUSH or feeling RUSHED is not a comfortable way to have your portrait created. Not to mention the sun is adverse to altering its schedule to meet yours. Late appointments are subject to an additional Session/Location fee.

DOs
• DO dress COMFORTABLY.
• DO bring along anything to your portrait you might need: grooming gear, water, medications, makeup, snack, our cell numbers, backups...
• DO keep within THEME COLORS ONLY.
• DO wear DARKER SHADES of theme colors if you desire to appear more svelte.
• DO come to the session with a POSITIVE, HAPPY HEART. Your cheerful attitude will be reflected for all to see for generations to come. The hard work is all behind you. Relax - enjoy yourself.
• DO keep your eyes on the camera through the entire session. You will be tempted to look around and check out how others are doing. RESIST! The temptation will be more difficult than you think. It will be like having an itch you can't scratch. Be strong - you CAN do it!
• DO SPEAK UP if you are uncomfortable or have any concern. No question is too small. I will not be responsible for numb limbs.
• DO remember that if everyone is on the ball, the portrait session will only take about 20 minutes. That's it. A very small price to pay for such a cherished reward.
• DO be ON TIME for your portrait session. You will want to take advantage of every minute set aside to create your portrait. You may even want to consider arriving a bit early, just to make sure all goes well.
• DO keep things SIMPLE.
• DO keep things SIMPLE.
• DO keep things SIMPLE.

Mark Jordan serves every city in Orange County, as well as San Diego County. Though Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, primarily serves the cities of Orange County, being an Orange County Photographer, he also offers family portraits, headshots, senior portraits, children's portraits and maternity portraits to cities such as Riverside, Loma Linda, Redlands and Corona. Mark Jordan has become synonymous with Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer, where he designs special Rancho Santa Margarita Photography, as the Orange County Photographer, and the family portrait photographer. Besides creating family portraits, which may known as Rancho Santa Margarita studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography also offers Rancho Santa Margarita residents the choice of beach portraits, park portraits, home portraits and studio portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer also creates headshots (correctly spelled head shots but spelled headshots hear because most people spell headshots this way in the search engines) for business, and corporate portraits. In addition, as Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography also felt it appropriate to offer senior photography (or senior portraits), whichever you prefer to call senior portrait photography. What kind of Orange County portrait studio would Mark Jordan Photography be if it also did not offer Children's portraits (sometimes known as kids portraits or child photography or children portraits)? Lastly, any good Rancho Santa Margarita photography studio or any Orange County portrait studio, including Mark Jordan photography, would also offer the finest in maternity portraits, which many prefer to call pregnancy portraits.

Mark Jordan started out as the most famous photographer in Irvine, CA. He was the Irvine Photographer, creating Irvine Photography, as an Orange County Photographer, and family portrait photographer. Besides creating family portraits for Irvine studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography also offers Irvine residents the choice of beach portraits, park portraits, home portraits and studio portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Irvine Portrait Photographer (or other wise knows as Irvine family portraits) also creates headshots (also spelled head-shots) for business, and corporate portraits. In addition, as Irvine family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography also felt it appropriate to offer senior photography (or senior portraits), whichever you prefer to call senior portrait photography. What kind of Orange County portrait studio would Mark Jordan Photography be if it also did not offer Children's portraits (sometimes known as kids portraits or child photography or children portraits)? Lastly, any good Irvine photography studio or any Orange County portrait studio, including Mark Jordan photography, would also offer the finest in maternity portraits, which many prefer to call pregnancy portraits.

After serving Irvine, as the Irvine family portrait photographer, Mark Jordan moved his Irvine Portrait studio to Tustin, CA, at Plaza LaFayette. At the famous photographer, and Tustin Photographer, creating Tustin Photography, as an Orange County Photographer, Mark continued creating fine family portraits as Tustin's family portrait photographer. Besides creating family portraits for Tustin studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography also offers Tustin residents the unprecedented option of studio portraits, beach portraits, home portraits and park portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Tustin Portrait Photographer (or other wise knows as Tustin family portraits) also creates headshots (also spelled head-shots) for business, and corporate portraits. In addition, as Tustin family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography also deemed it appropriate to offer high school kids, senior photography (or senior portraits), whichever you prefer to call senior portrait photography. What kind of Orange County portrait studio would Mark Jordan Photography be if it failed to offer Orange County Children's portraits (frequently known as kids portraits or child photography or children portraits)? In conclusion, any good Tustin photography studio or any Orange County portrait studio, including Mark Jordan photography, must provide the finest in maternity portraits, which many prefer to call pregnancy portraits.

After managing Orange County portrait studio in Tustin for ten years, Mark Jordan considered building a new Orange County Photography studio to Mission Viejo. He would have then been a Mission Viejo Photographer, creating Mission Viejo Photography, as an Orange County Photographer, and family portrait photographer. Besides creating family portraits for Mission Viejo studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography could have also given Mission Viejo residents the choice of home portraits (which is Mission Viejo portraits most frequent choice), beach portraits, park portraits, and studio portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Mission Viejo Portrait Photographer (or other wise knows as Mission Viejo family portraits) also would have created headshots (also spelled head-shots) for business, and corporate portraits. In addition, as Mission Viejo family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography would have felt it appropriate to offer senior photography (or senior portraits), whichever you prefer to call senior portrait photography. What ilk of Orange County portrait studio would Mark Jordan Photography be if the portrait studio also did not offer Orange County Children's portraits (sometimes known as kids portraits or child photography or children portraits)? Lastly, any good Mission Viejo photography studio or any Orange County portrait studio, including Mark Jordan photography, would also offer the finest in maternity portraits, which many prefer to call pregnancy portraits.

Obviously, Mark Jordan photography did not move to Mission Viejo but did seriously contemplate opening a new Orange County portrait studio in Newport Beach. Had Orange County Photographer, Mark Joran, actually move to Newport Beach (or even his favorite, Corona del Mar), Mark Jordan would have been a Newport Beach Photographer, creating Newport Beach Photography, as an Orange County Photographer, and family portrait photographer. In addition to creating family portraits for Newport Beach studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography may have considered presenting Newport Beach residents with the opportunity of commissioning beach portraits, park portraits, home portraits and possibly the least often requested, studio portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Newport Beach Portrait Photographer (or otherwise known as Newport Beach family portraits) also creates, believe it or not, headshots (also spelled head-shots). Headshots are primarily for business, and corporate portraits, but artists and musicians also love Orange County photographer, Mark Jordan's head shots. Now, if this weren't enough, as the primary Newport Beach family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography most certainly would have sensed it only right to suggest senior photography (or senior portraits), however you want to label senior portrait photography. After all, what sort of Orange County portrait studio is Mark Jordan Photography should he did not proffer Orange County Children's portraits (aka, kids portraits | child photography | children portraits)? In conclusion, a decent Newport Beach photography studio or the best Orange County portrait studio, as well as Mark Jordan photography, should also present the finest in maternity portraits, which many like to name pregnancy portraits.

Yes, now get this, Mark Jordan decided against moving his Tustin Portrait studio, not to Mission Viejo, not to Newport Beach, but to Lake Forest. And as a Lake Forest Photographer, producing Lake Forest Photography, as the Orange County Photographer (i.e. family portrait photographer). Additionally, making family portraits for Lake Forest studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography thought is wise for Lake Forest residents to have the option of having beach portraits, park portraits, home portraits and studio portraits offered to them. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, a possible Lake Forest Portrait Photographer (aka, Lake Forest family portraits) also did headshots (spelled head-shots in many circles) for business, and corporate portraits. Ergo, a likely Lake Forest family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, considered offering senior photography (or senior portraits), whatever you feel is best to call senior portrait photography. An Orange County portrait studio like Mark Jordan Photography would be remiss if it did not at least offer Orange County Children's portraits (known to Rancho Santa Margarita photographers as kids portraits or child photography - they even like children portraits)? It goes without saying, but have to say it any ways, a creative Lake Forest photography studio or a great Orange County portrait studio, which presumably includes a famous photographer, Mark Jordan photography, is compelled to produce the finest in maternity portraits, which pregnant ladies call pregnancy portraits.

In additional to thinking about relocating the Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan, to Lake Forest, Mark Jordan Photography wanted to visit Lake Forest. For as a Ladera Ranch portrait photographer, Mark Jordan liked the sound of Ladera Ranch Photographer, who would have designed Ladera Ranch Photography, in addition to being the an Award Winning Orange County Photographer, and awarding winning family portrait photographer. Should Mark Jordan Photographer, once a Orange County Photographer of Tustin, decide to design family portraits as a Ladera Ranch portrait studio, Mark Jordan Photography would then be constrained to Ladera Ranch residents, presenting them the choice of home portraits, studio portraits, beach portraits, and park portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Ladera Ranch Portrait Photographer (which ranchers label Ladera Ranch family portraits) may opt to shoot headshots (i.e. head-shots for good spellers) for business, and corporate portraits. Too much but there's more - as the Ladera Ranch family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography could also do senior photography (or senior portraits), whichever you prefer to call senior portrait photography. An Orange County portrait studio, such as Mark Jordan Photography, would of course never for a moment not consider doing Orange County Children's portraits (possibly best known as kids portraits or child photography and children portraits)? In conclusion, any creative Ladera Ranch photography studio or any creative Orange County portrait studio, assuming Mark Jordan photography is one of them, would by any means ensure the very finest maternity portraits, that most Ladera Ranch portrait loves like call pregnancy portraits.

If that weren't enough, in additional to being aMark Jordan is a Laguna Niguel Photographer, creating Laguna Niguel Photography, as an Orange County Photographer, and family portrait photographer. Besides creating family portraits for Laguna Niguel studio portraits, Mark Jordan Photography also offers Laguna Niguel residents the choice of beach portraits, park portraits, home portraits and studio portraits. Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, and Laguna Niguel Portrait Photographer (or other wise knows as Laguna Niguel family portraits) also creates headshots (also spelled head-shots) for business, and corporate portraits. In addition, as Laguna Niguel family Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography also felt it appropriate to offer senior photography (or senior portraits), whichever you prefer to call senior portrait photography. What kind of Orange County portrait studio would Mark Jordan Photography be if it also did not offer Orange County Children's portraits (sometimes known as kids portraits or child photography or children portraits)? Lastly, any good Laguna Niguel photography studio or any Orange County portrait studio, including Mark Jordan photography, would also offer the finest in maternity portraits, which many prefer to call pregnancy portraits.