Portraiture: How to Plan Your Family's Fine Photographic Portraits
When you think of a memorable home, what particular things come to mind that portray the special essence of its owners or dwellers? Chances are, it is the uniquely personal images and memorabilia you remember most. I remember the portraits. I believe the most personal and artistic statement you make in your home is your portraiture. All of our homes are full of personal furnishings and items that communicate things about ourselves, but only in portraiture do we capture and display images of treasured loved ones from the past and the present for a lifetime of remembrance and enjoyment. Fine art portraits bring an element to a home that no zebra rug, designer leather sofa, safari knickknack or expensive lamp stand can possible add. Simply stated, portraiture is a beautiful expression of you and your family, your life experiences with your loved ones, memorialized forever on canvas. If you are considering adding portraiture to your home, where do you begin?

Planning And Forethought
Your fine art portrait is a long-lasting, decorative investment that deserves considerable forethought. Begin your journey by identifying possible locations in your home for both large, wall-sized portraits and smaller complementary pieces. As you look around each room, think about the creative elements of color, size, style, and framing. How will a fine art portrait complement a room, or become a room's dramatic focal point? Take you time and thoughtfully administer each creative element (color, size, style, and frame) as it relates to a portrait and a room's decor.

How Big Is Too Big?
A wall-sized portrait should be large enough to dominate its space without infringing on natural borders. For example, if you were to choose a portrait to be hung over the top of your fireplace, you should consider the fireplace brick and mantel to be natural outlines or borders. A common mistake is to display a smaller portrait in too big on an area, such as over the mantel or fireplace. The fireplace dwarfs the portrait and makes an otherwise beautiful work of are appear to be the size of a postage stamp. Fill the space above the fireplace without crowding the edges for a pleasing end result.

Choosing Color and Style
Like any other component of your home's decor, your fine art portrait should blend in with, accent, and complement the tone of a room. Whether you choose a formal or casual setting or muted indoor or bright outdoor background colors, do so with the space you have in mind. Nothing lights up a casual family room like a colorful, outdoor portrait while the prefect addition to a formal livening or dining room might be a more finished, formal portrait setting. The more private, less public rooms in your home, such as bedrooms, lend themselves to deeper, more personal expressions in portraiture. Boudoir portraits (nude or seminude) are popular selections for these personal environments.
Speaking of color, the most overlooked, under-planned aspect of portraiture is the clothing worn during the sitting. Most professional photographers offer free consultations to discuss things like clothing in advance of your sitting. A general rule is to choose clothing that doesn't compete for attention. Stripes, patterns, plaids, polka dots, and brightly colored clothing tend to draw attention away from the primary subject area, which is of course your face.

Marriage Of Frame and Portrait
Your professional photographer and framing professional have expertise in this most important area and can offer you different "looks" for each possible location. Again, the frame should complement the portrait, dressing it up without distracting from it, while fitting in with the mood and tone of the room where it will reside.

The Gift Of A Portrait
Most people don't think of portraits as gifts, but the timely purchase of a gift certificate for a love one is the perfect way to express your love, and involve your love one in the creative process! Any way you do it, fine art portraiture will be a treasured addition to your home and will add the perfect, personal, human touch that will always be remembered as your house becomes your home.