what to wear to fine art school portraits: tips from your richmond school photographer
School photo day is a special milestone for families in Richmond. As a boutique school photographer, I love creating timeless portraits that highlight your child’s personality. The right outfit can make a big difference in ensuring your child’s photos are both classic and flattering. If you’re preparing for school portraits, here are my professional tips on what to wear.
Keep It Simple and Solid
Solid colours photograph beautifully. Busy patterns, logos, and characters can be distracting and take the focus away from your child’s face. Soft neutrals, jewel tones, or pastels work well for fine art portraits.
Choose Comfortable, Classic Tops
Children feel most confident when they’re comfortable. Choose tops that fit well, avoid anything too trendy, and stick with timeless pieces like a crisp button-down, a simple dress, or a well-fitted sweater. These choices ensure the photo won’t feel dated in a few years.
Avoid Distracting Accessories
Large hair bows, chunky necklaces, or hats can take attention away from your child’s natural expression. Keep accessories minimal and subtle so the portrait feels clean and polished.
Hair and Grooming
A quick brush, clean face, and neat nails make a big difference. For longer hair, consider keeping it styled simply so it doesn’t fall into the face. If your child usually wears their hair a certain way, it’s best to stick with that look to keep them feeling like themselves.
What to Avoid
Neon colours or very bright white (they can wash out skin tones).
Oversized clothing that looks bulky in photos.
Shirts with words, slogans, or brand logos.
Brand-new, unwashed clothes that might feel stiff or uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts
Fine art school portraits are about capturing your child as they truly are - joyful, curious, and full of personality. Simple, classic clothing choices help keep the focus on them. If you have any doubts or need further advice on what to choose, don’t hesitate to contact me at Michelle Baril Photography.
As your Richmond school photographer, I’m here to make photo day stress-free and meaningful. With a little preparation, your child’s portraits will become keepsakes your family cherishes for years to come. Looking forward to capturing beautiful, timeless portraits of your children this school year!