Clothing and Preparation Tips!
These tips are to make sure your
portraits are the best they can be.
EVERYONE READ THESE:
ARRIVE EARLY If you are scheduled from 3:00 - 4:30 and show up late or not ready, you will have less time in the camera room. If you need to get ready here (hair, makeup, etc.) please arrive early enough to be ready by your start time. But be aware, during those busy times, there may not be a place for you to get ready, so be prepared before you arrive.
CLOTHING First of all AVOID STRIPES, PATTERNS AND PLAIDS!! Solids photograph much better! Also bring a variety of color, don’t bring 5 blue outfits even if it is your favorite color. Avoid clothing that has wording on it except for your own school logo. Vary the style, all one look (like tanks) gets boring. Vary the dress level, bring some dressy, some medium and some casual. Remember, it is best to do one or two outfits that mom will like, then we can do the stuff YOU like. Some shots are close up, others are full length. Plan outfits completely. It is hard to do a full length formal in your suit if all you brought was big old tennis shoes. Also remember, as a general rule, light clothes look better on lighter backgrounds and darker clothes look better on darker backgrounds. So if you prefer dark, bring dark, if you prefer some of both, bring some of both. Group your outfits together ON HANGARS. It is amazing how many people come in with clothes stuffed in a plastic bag and wonder why they are wrinkled! Make sure they are ironed.
WHITES It is important for you to understand that white is the worst color for photography, especially outdoor portraits. Whites, and lighter colors, will add weight to you and make you look heavier, so if at all possible avoid bringing in outfits that are white. Although white capris and cargos are the in thing for girls these days, they will make you look heavier in photographs. Guys, if you bring a white shirt, you will need the suit or sports coat to go over it. Wearing only a white shirt and tie, takes the attention away from you and draws it to your shirt.
HAIR Avoid changing your hairstyle or cutting your hair right before your session. Let it be natural. Quick easy hairstyle changes during your session are OK, but make it quick or you loose camera time. Artificially bleached hair is often not best, in 10 years you might say “What was I thinking??” Bring your hair care tools and products with you if need be. It IS OK to show up early in curlers if you need to. Although our photographer tries to help with hair, it is hard to know what your hair “is supposed to look like”. So make sure you like the look or let the photographer know your preferences. Hair style is ultimately YOUR responsibility.
JEWELRY Best tip here, keep it simple. We want the attention on you. Big, shiny jewelry can distract from the real subject, YOU. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, you might put each set of jewelry in a plastic baggie and hang it on the hangar with that outfit.
PROPS BRING THEM!! Bring props that help define who you are. Some popular choices are: Sports equipment (soccer ball, football, hockey stick, hurdle, whatever), sports uniforms, music instruments (from school tuba to rock guitar), activities (dance leotard and shoes, swimming, hobbies, you name it!), and vehicles. Whatever you bring we will use it. Remember: sometime less is more. Bringing tons of “stuff” just crowds the photo and you get lost in the image. Just bring your favorite things. Be sure to wash your car because dirt will show in the image. If you see it, the camera will see it.
GLASSES Most glasses glare! Some prescriptions more than others. Your best bet is to check with your optometrist. Most will “loan” you an empty set of frames similar to yours for your photo session.
SUNBURN/TANNING AVOID SUNBURN! Sunburn and peeling skin DOES NOT photograph well!! Tan, yes, burn, no. If you are a winter or spring session and your tan has faded, you might consider tanning. But don’t overdue it so you look too fake-and-bake.
COMPLEXION We retouch for minor blemishes, so don’t worry about minor breakouts. However, if you have a major breakout, we highly recommend that you use a concealer. Yes, that goes for you guys also. Although blemish retouching for major blemish breakouts can be done, there will probably be an additional charge.
PETS Pets are OK as long as they are house broken. It is a good idea to have someone bring a pet, then leave with them after. Or bring a pet carrier to contain them while you are being photographed without them. Treats can be helpful to hold a dogs attention.
FRIENDS & PARENTS Friends or parents are welcome. They can be a great help. HOWEVER, we do not allow more than one person with you in the camera room. In most cases, they distract you and keep you from looking your absolute best, so it is generally best to have them wait in the gallery. You can have a couple of shots with a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend or sibling at no extra charge.
WEATHER FOR OUTDOOR PORTRAITS Let’s face it, we are at the mercy of mother nature. If it rains, no fretting will do anything about it, we simply have to reschedule. Don’t worry about clouds, they actually HELP! But rain falling IS a problem. If the weather is questionable, simply call the studio.
TATTOOS, SCARS and BRACES Just let the photographer know if you want tattoos to show or not. It is that easy. Scars are not automatically retouched, but can be removed or softened at your request. Extensive work may have an extra charge. Braces? Don’t worry. You could have the tops taken off for your photo session, or we can retouch them out by computer. But don’t fight smiling, a braces smile is better than a dorky holding back a smile look.
LISTS AND IDEAS DO NOT BRING A LIST of poses and backgrounds you like. We take pride in creating everyone’s images to match their clothing and personality. We are always open to your ideas and thoughts, but generally it is not a good idea to try to copy something that a friend or family member did. Be yourself and let’s create something unique to you.