SALLY GATES PASTEL PORTRAITS DRESS GUIDE
Sally Gates is America's premier children's pastel portrait artist, traveling across the US to photograph and paint girls and boys dressed in traditional outfits. With decades of experience, she has developed an unparalleled ability to capture the essence of childhood, highlighting each of her subjects' unique character through dignified poses and exquisite artistic detail.
Her portraits aren't simply paintings : they're celebrations of innocence, beauty, and the fleeting magic of youth. Every detail thus matters : from the pose to the lighting, and most importantly the clothing choice. Over the years we have had the privilege of dressing many of Sally’s young models and seeing our designs transformed into works of art.
This comprehensive guide featuring a wide array of Sally's portraits in our dresses will help you to make the right outfit decision in terms of :
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Colors
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Style
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Accessories
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Planning
We'd be honored to help you select the perfect dress for your session with Sally Gates and provide more detailed options. Contact us at info@charlottesydimby.com to discuss your vision and explore our collection of portrait-perfect dresses. Upon request, we can happily custom make too.
For information, we dress little girls from 3 months to 12 years. We specialise in smocked dresses but can also dress little boys.
Sally’s Portraits in our Smocked Dresses
The dresses have been carefully chosen not just for their beauty, but for how they will translate to canvas, complement the little girls' features, stand the test of time as a cherished family heirloom.
Blue Dresses : The Classic Choice for Timeless Elegance
Soft pastel sky blue paired with touches of soft pink, be it in delicate rosebuds smocked upon the bodice or romantic ribbons at the waist bring feminine charm. Embroideries or contrasting piping add a polished finished touch to the collar.
An intricate well-fitted smocked bodice with sophisticated embroidery pattern gives Sally clear artistic lines to work with, resulting in dynamic and visually appealing compositions.
Peter Pan collars create perfect framing for sweet expressions, while Sally's masterful technique brings out the luminous quality of blue eyes against the dresses' gentle hues.
The portrait and reference picture side by side of Palmer, daughter of Cameran Eubanks Wimberly demonstrate how blue dresses photograph with remarkable stability and complement fair complexions beautifully!
Our signature puffed sleeves gathered at the cuff with rosette embroideries in tones matching those of the smocked bodice bring a refined note whilst the graceful round neckline finished with delicate ruffle pleats enhances the elegance of the silhouette.
White Dresses : The perfect Choice for Pure Elegance
White allows the smocking to stand out beautifully. Adding a colorful touch to the design, it provides personality to the design whilst keeping a refined overall silhouette.
Blue pairs marvellously with white. The intricate hand-embroidered details create an almost ethereal quality that seems to glow from within the portrait.
These fully white portraits of sisters demonstrate why white remains the ultimate choice for formal children's portraiture : they allows the child's natural beauty to take center stage.
Pink Dresses: Soft Romance and Feminine Grace
These portraits in shades of pink provide an inherently feminine and romantic mood in formal portraiture.
Portrait Styling Guide: Choosing the Perfect Dress for Your Child's Session
Color Selection
When selecting a dress for your child's portrait session, color choice plays a crucial role in creating a timeless heirloom piece. Soft, muted tones photograph beautifully and stand the test of time. We particularly recommend gentle blues, classic whites and pinks : colors that complement Sally's masterful pastel technique.
We recommend avoiding bright neons or busy patterns that can overwhelm your child's natural features. Instead, opt for solid colors or fabrics with subtle textures. These will better highlight our signature smocking too, adding visual interest without competing with your child's face : the true focus of any great portrait.
Why Blue Works Beautifully in Portraits : Blue is perhaps the most universally flattering color for children's portraits. Soft dusty blues and powder blues complement virtually every skin tone and eye color. Blue pictures with great accuracy, meaning the color you see in the session will translate faithfully to the final pastel portrait. Furthermore blue has been a staple of fine portraiture for centuries, from Gainsborough's Blue Boy to contemporary masters like Sally Gates.
The Magic of White in Pastel Portraits : White and ivory dresses create an angel like innocent quality in Sally's pastel work, allowing her to play with light and shadow in subtle, sophisticated ways. White reflects light beautifully, giving Sally's pastels a luminous feel. The choice of a neutral also allows your child's natural coloring, their eyes, hair, and skin tone, to become the star of the composition. Besides, white traditionally represents the purity and of childhood, making it a meaningful choice for a portrait that will hang in your home as a daily reminder of these precious years.
Pink, the Color of Childhood Romance : Pink is the quintessential choice for capturing that precious princess-like quality every little girl possesses. Rosy tones naturally evoke fairy-tale elegance and refined femininity, creating portraits that celebrate the magical, girly charm of childhood. From pale shell pink to deeper rose hues, this beloved color family photographs beautifully in Sally's pastels.
Why Traditional Styles Photograph Better
There's a reason Sally Gates consistently chooses traditional children's clothing for her portrait work. Classic silhouettes with collars, and smocked bodices create clean lines that translate beautifully to canvas.
Furthermore timeless designs ensure your family heirloom remains elegant for generations.
Our attention to each and every detail with a focus on finishings such as piping upon the Peter Pan collar, rosette embroidery at the cuffs and exquisite smocking, will enhance the dignity and elegance of your child.
Accessories: Less is Always More
Sally's portraits focus on capturing your child's natural beauty and personality. Simple accessories work best : perhaps a delicate hair ribbon that matches the dress. Avoid statement jewelry, or bold accessories that might distract from your child's face.
The aim is to create a portrait that celebrates your child's innocence and natural charm, allowing Sally's incredible artistic skill to shine through every brushstroke.
Planning Your Portrait Session
Outfit Choice and Order
Portrait sessions with Sally Gates are highly sought after, so we recommend beginning your planning process as soon as possible. Please try and contact us at least two months preferably three months ahead of your photo session for the outfit selection. This timeline allows for:
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Consultation allowing us to best understand your needs and wishes
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Measurement taking to ensure the perfect sizing
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Customisation if required
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Shipping from our Parisian boutique. The delay to the US is about 10 days. With express it is closer to 5 days days
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Preparing your child for the session experience
Care and Preparation
Your portrait dress should arrive pristine and photo-ready. We recommend a final pressing the day before the session and keeping a steamer or iron handy for any last-minute touch-ups. Pack the dress carefully in a garment bag if traveling to your session location.
For further information and personalised guidance, please contact us at info@charlottesydimby.com
We will do our best to make your wish come true. These portraits aren't just beautiful art : they're investments in your family's legacy, capturing a moment in time that you'll treasure forever.
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