Color Theory Basics for Photo Sessions

Color theory analyzes how colors pair with each other and how they are emotionally perceived by people. The purpose of this page is to share three color theory basic tools that can help prepare you for your next photo session.

1. Select a Base Color to Set Mood

Colors convey emotion. There are variances among cultures on how colors are perceived. The image above provides a great description for how many in Western cultures interpret color.

2. Pick a Color Scheme

Next, you need to decide how you want to pair your base color. Pairing consists of not only your clothing but your environmental background as well. Using a color wheel, such as above, will help you visualize how colors appear relative to each other. The following are examples of popular pairings:

• Monochromatic

  Varying shades of base color

• Analogous

  Colors adjacent to base color

• Complementary

  Color opposite base color

• Split Complementary

  Colors adjacent to opposite base

• Triadic

  Three equally distance colors

The Adobe color wheel tool is a great resource to obtain visuals of color schemes. Link: https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel.

3. Mix Solids, Textures, and Patterns

Lastly, you should consider how color patterns and textures of the clothing being photographed pair with each other. Generally, you want to avoid pairing patterns that clash. An effective rule of thumb is to have a person with a pattern next to a person with a solid. Two solids also typically pair well next each other. A way to break up two solids is to differentiate them with varying textures. Black, white, and grey are considered neutral colors. Often, it’s recommend to stick to a given neutral.