Coloring Your World & Improving Your Photos

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Renee Pawloski; Owner & Color Analyst at Color Savvy. As a branding & headshot photographer, colors are an important part of a photograph and I wanted to learn more about which colors work best for my clients. Who better to ask than an expert?

Here is what Renee had to say:

I received my color education as a color analyst through True Colour International.  It involved a week of in-person learning in Dallas combining classroom learning and practicing with clients.  I also completed a 3 month period working with 15 test clients to continue to hone my skills prior to passing my competency review.  I am now entering my third year as an analyst and have been blessed to have worked with over 600 clients. 

Human coloring is diverse and fascinating.  My favorite part of the job is helping people embrace how they were created and celebrate their own individual, unique look.  I see my job as holding up a mirror for clients to see their authentic, true selves, and to arm them with the knowledge to harness the power of using their most harmonious colors to look and feel their very best. It is the best feeling in the world to see the smiles and confidence that come when a client sees themselves in their color palette. 

Color harmony and theory is rooted in nature as well as classic art.  The impressionists painted outdoor scenes capturing the different colors in nature during different times of the year, when the colors and lighting skew into different color palettes.  What is pleasing to the eye is when colors all sharing the same properties are all working together to create a beautiful image, whether that is an outfit, and interior design scheme, an art piece or a corporate logo.

Renee Pawloski, color analyst

An example of a seasonal color palette

When a client wears colors in their color palette, their face and features become the focus, their skin smooths out, their eyes pop, etc.  If a color they are wearing is not working for them, it shows.  If a color is too bright, it tends to stand out, stealing the attention away from their face.  If a color is too dull, it can wash the subject out.  If a color doesn't share the same undertone, one can look sallow or flushed.  The same goes for hair colors or cosmetic colors (lip, cheek, eyeliner or eye shadow) that don't connect - something about the image will feel off.  Color harmony can work the same as musical harmony.  If a chosen

color isn't working together well with the coloring of an individual, it feels off, just like discordant music.

Once we have determined which of the 12 TCI seasonal palettes is best for a client, they receive a fan deck of their palette to take home with them.  It contains 65 of their best colors and is printed on archival quality canvas with inks that will last for 30 years.  It can be used to color swatch clothing, makeup and accessories, which we practice with during their session.  In addition, clients receive a lengthy email with tons of resources in their tone - a PDF guide to their season, hair Pinterest boards, fashion Pinterest boards, blog articles and a list of makeup products that work with their season.

As we wrapped up our time together, I asked Renee about this year's Pantone 2026 Color- Ahhh...Cloud Dancer.  I have to say, in my opinion, it was a surprising choice.  Many trends in fashion as well as interior design have pointed towards color coming back into our lives in both clothing and homes/commercial spaces after several years of neutrals, greys and whites.  I actually saw a comedic reel on Instagram playing at someone at Pantone forgetting their assignment and glancing down at their notebook and declaring it "Cloud Dancer".  Overall, I don't find "Cloud Dancer" super inspiring, but then again, I LOVE lots of color.  Besides, any ONE color isn't best for everyone anyway.  Back to color analysis - even if someone is more into neutrals and doesn't wear much color, color analysis will help them discover their best versions of neutrals too.  For example, my best version of white as a Dark Autumn is a warmer, more yellowy cream - think the color of cream cheese frosting versus the stark, cool white of Cloud Dancer.  

To learn more about Renee's work with Color Savvy, you can visit her website at: https://www.colorsavvystudio.com/ or on Instagram @colorsavvystudio.

If you book a session with Renee, you will also receive 10% off a photo session with me to refresh your branding & headshots. To book your session, please visit: www.aspenimagery.com/contact