In this example, the home is very clean with creams, khaki, and light browns serving as a neutral backdrop. The family should be dressed so they coordinate, but, again, do not match perfectly. A mix of dark browns, creams and tans combined with a neutral backdrop will creates an image that has contrast, but not so much that you are distracted from their charming expressions. Baby can be wrapped in a cream scarf that creates flowing lines and the image tones can be anchored beautifully by the light skin tones and dark hair of the family.
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This cozy living room is light and airy. Paired with the natural angelic and innocent feel of newborns, these creams and soft whites bring forth those emotions beautifully and offer a light, bright and ethereal look. It’s important when coordinating a monochromatic look to incorporate texture in the clothing for more interest. Coordinating outfits, but not perfectly matching are the key. A light tones and with a family’s fair complexions and blonde hair would create a gorgeous neutral even palette that makes their faces stand out.
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In this example, the craftsman style of the house and soft greens used in the decor are reminiscent of a forest. Combining that with neutral browns creates a warm image that has an earthy feeling to it. Put Dad in a long-sleeved cotton shirt that is a solid color with a simple collar. Stay away from pattern in the fabric which will take away from the family’s faces. We can wrap Mom in material like that of a wool sweater. This strapless design is flattering and creates a skin-on-skin look that is intimate and loving.
If the room you plan to hang a portrait in has both warm and cool colors, don’t fret! Grays and browns bring out those aspects of each other – the warm in the gray and the cool in the brown. This is especially effective for baby boys as the richer colors have a masculinity to them that conveys your new little one is male! Dark blue jeans, cool grays, and navy blues work well . We can combine delicious textures to create an image with a lot of interest. Put Dad in a rich grey long sleeve fitted shirt and mom in a soft grey fabric and you have a warm soft inviting image to display in your home.
This rustic, lodge-y feeling home uses richer tones to make a warm, inviting look and that can translate in a family portrait beautifully. Mom and Dad can wear jewel tones such as maroons and goldish mustard to add color and interest but the complimentary nature of the colors creates harmony that does not distract from their faces. Again, long sleeves on dad will keep your eye moving and a warm inviting color on mom will help to bring the focus on the family’s love connection.
Neutrals come in several flavors and sticking with the mid-range is a lovely way to complement your decor. This living room uses texture and a mix of mid-tone neutrals to create interest. This look is sure to coordinate with any home and is a tried-and-true method for creating a striking portrait. Put Dad in a long sleeve cream, well-fitted, simple shirt that flatters his torso and keeps the eye moving around the subjects, from him, to mom wrapped in a similar cream fabric, and finally resting on sweet baby.
Adding contrast to an image with navy blue and gray creates a striking difference between the skin tones and clothing/background. While blues are cooler, skin tones are warmer and this contrast in color temperature makes the warm tones pop off the page. And when that happens, faces are what stand out. For example a sweet older sister dressed in a gorgeous, flowing, navy-colored dress that does not have a lot of pattern, paired with the baby wrapped in a grey wrap. The texture in the dress provides interest, as does the texture in the gray warp on the newborn.
