Preparing for your session

A short list of important things to prepare, think about and/or do before you come for your session.

Session Inspirations:

General:

  • General Clothing – Stick to fitted clothing. Baggy clothing tend to make people look larger in photos

  • Hair – Ladies If you’re going to be rocking a new hairstyle for your shoot, do so about a couple of days before so you get used to your new style. For men, a fresh cut a day before the shoot is fine.

  • Make-up – A subtle application of make-up can really soften your skin and accent your facial features. But make sure you know what you’re doing and make sure it matches your skin tone. If you are not savvy with the make up brush I can point you to some amazing make-up artist in the area.

  • Teeth – If you want to brighten your smile, start your treatments about two weeks before your shoot.

  • Shoes – Ladies, you can never go wrong with wearing heels or wedges but make sure you bring a backup pair of comfortable shoes because we will probably be doing a lot of walking. Men, Dress shoes are best.

  • Nails – A fresh coat of nail polish will make a world of difference in your photo shoot. Touch up your nails before the shoot because they will probably be making an appearance

  • Wrinkles – Iron the night before and then hang the clothes for your shoot. If you’re wearing something that wrinkles easily, don’t wear it in the car on the way to the shoot. Change on location.

  • Props – Please bring along any props that you would think would enhance the session. Look for items that will help make your images unique. I.e. books, heirlooms, blankets, “Thank You” or “Save the Date” signs, Champagne, confetti, old family photos etc

  • Moisturizer – Dry skin can really detract from a great photo shoot. Focus on your arms, shoulders, neck, face, hands, anywhere you’ll be exposed to the camera. This includes your legs if you’re shooting in shorts or a skirt.

  • *Pro Tip- Coconut Oil cures all LOL

  • Bloating – Ladies, avoid high salt and high fat foods for two to three days in advance of your shoot. Being bloated will sap your confidence and comfort in front of the camera.

  • Undergarments – Bra straps won’t do anything to help your outfit look its best. Be sure you bring a set of bras and strap-adjusting accessories to work with any outfit you want to shoot in to keep those straps well-hidden.

  • Beauty-rest –Make sure that you get enough rest the few nights preceding the photoshoot so you can relax and enjoy your photoshoot experience

*Pro tips:

  • Solid colors look great in portraits.

  • If you go with a pattern, keep it simple.

  • Look for combinations where you can add and/or remove layers.

  • Make sure that all clothes are ironed and pressed before the shoot.

  • Bring a lint brush or roller with you

  • Make sure you are comfortable in all the clothing you bring.

  • Unless a company is sponsoring you or this is an organizational shoot I would suggest staying away from logos that will take the focus away from you.

  • Even though white tends to be a popular choice it's not the most flattering color for lighter skin tones because white tends to wash out your face.

  • I encourage outfit changes. You’re welcome to bring extra clothing for mixing and matching outfits. So get creative!

Maternity:

  • Moisturize that belly!

  • Gather your props to bring along – ultrasound printout, alphabet blocks that spell your baby’s name, baby shoes, stuffed animals, flowers, whatever you’ve seen in other maternity photos that you like.

  • Wear whatever you feel comfortable and pretty in – long, flowy skirts, especially solids are nice, and strapless bras that coordinate with them. Tube dresses are great for showing off your shape. Bring a pair of regular jeans, not the belly panel ones. A button-up shirt also makes it easy to transition into showing your belly.

  • If you’re doing semi-nude/implied nude photos, bras and underwear will create noticeable lines on your skin, so wear loose-fitting clothing to the shoot. You can add undergarments as necessary for photos later in the shoot.

  • Do bring your significant other! They’ll make a great prop for your photos, and greatly expand on the number of different photos you can make during your shoot. They should bring outfits that coordinate with what you’ll be wearing, or a dark long-sleeved shirt or sweater and dark pants. The focus should always be on you, your expressions, your emotions, your personality, your joy and your connection.

Children: