Preparing for a photoshoot is crucial to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are some casual yet professional tips to help you get ready for your upcoming photo session.
Grooming:
Skin Care: Start by moisturizing and exfoliating your skin to achieve a fresh and radiant look a few week prior. Dry skin can be distracting in photos.
Facial Hair/Nails : Shave, tweeze unwanted facial hairs, and ensure your nails are well-maintained with a manicure and pedicure, especially the day before your shoot. If you do your own nails touch them up the day of.
Sun Protection: Given Florida's strong sun, if you're vacationing and want to have a photoshoot, schedule the session early in your trip to avoid sunburn and tan lines.
Rest: Get a good night's sleep (at least 8 hours) before the shoot to appear well-rested and full of energy. Limit alcohol intake the night before. if you are hungover you will look haggard and tired in your photos, and you don’t want that!
Hydration: Stay well-hydrated in the days leading up to the shoot and avoid salty, sugary, and fried foods to prevent bloating.
Punctuality: Set multiple alarms to ensure you wake up on time and arrive at your photoshoot punctually.
What to Wear:
Dress for Success: Think of the photoshoot as a job interview; dress your best and iron your clothes. Wearing something that makes you feel good will reflect in your final images. Also, don’t be afraid to dress up.
Tidbit for women, concerned about your weight - fitted long sleeve - or 3/4-sleeve tops are very flattering.
Coordinate, Don't Match: Jeans and White shirts, No More.
Avoid overly matching outfits but coordinate colors among family members. Choose a color palette of 3-5 shades that suit everyone. Layering can help tie in these colors. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Not sure what colors to wear, cream, cement, tan are easy colors to coordinate with. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
Layering(or scarves) can help tie in these colors.
Avoid Distractions: Don't wear clothing with logos, heavy patterns, or bright colors. Keep bra straps concealed for a clean and distraction-free look.
Pinterest is a great place to search for coordinating outfits and color palette. Need more help send me a picture of what you have.
Most importantly, have fun, your spirit, smiles, the people you are with is what makes a photo great.
Bring Essentials: Pack oil blotting sheets, chapstick, fashion tape, and a lint roller to keep your appearance fresh and neat. Consider hair accessories and products for windy conditions.
Makeup Tips:
Skip Sunblock: Avoid sunblock on your face if a flash is used, as it can make you appear washed out.
Make up - make sure your foundation matches your skin tone. Apply a bit more makeup then usual. Do not line the lower inner eye lid, as it will make your eyes look smaller. I know a great make up and hair stylist. Reach out to me.
Glasses: If you wear transition glasses, bring non-transition glasses for the session. If you have non-prescription glasses without glass, they can prevent glare in photos.
Newborns and Babies:
Skin Care: Use a washcloth to gently clean away flaky skin and eye boogers before the shoot.
Timing: Schedule the shoot within the first two weeks of the baby's birth as they sleep more and stay in the fetal position.
Feeding and Naps: Plan the shoot around your baby's feeding and nap times for a peaceful session.
Clothing: Newborn clothes often look too big, so opt for small accessories like hats and headbands. Consider bringing sentimental items or sports team paraphernalia for a personal touch.
Children:
Clean! Clean! Clean! Clean nails, clean hair, wipe away eye boogers/ snotty noses, and brush teeth. The cleaner the kid, the better their photos will turn out. The number of noses, faces and teeth I have had to clean up in post, would blow your min(and they were not all kids).
Nap Time: If your child is of napping age, make sure they nap before the session.
Bribes and Snacks: It's perfectly fine to bring bribes and snacks to keep your child engaged and happy during the shoot. I do not provide snacks or drinks due to allergies, I do provide stickers, as my nephew loves them.
These tips will help you look and feel your best during your photoshoot and ensure that your images turn out stunning.