Preparing for your Photo Session
As the client, you should be able to show up and let the magic happen, right? When getting your photos taken, there are element you rely on your photographer to do well: posing, lighting, and composition.
Here are several things you can do to prepare for your photo session that will make it even better.
Client Checklist
1. Get On The Same Page As Your Photographer
To have a successful photoshoot, it’s a great idea to share photo concepts with your photographer, so you are going for the same result. Pinterest boards are my favorite way to communicate concepts. Check out my Pinterest here to see some examples of different concepts and ideas along with lots of helpful tips.
2. Pre-Plan Locations
It’s a lovely idea that you’ll show up, and awesome things will happen. But photoshoots take planning (as we’re learning here). Simply put, location matters. It helps bring context to your portraits. Studio or on Location? A park or the mountains? What kind of story are you wanting to tell through your portrait session?
3. Pick Out Your Clothes Early
I highly recommend communicating with me on the wardrobe you are wanting to wear. Your choice of outfit will play a huge part in determining my choice of background, lighting and other aspects of your shoot. Specific clothing can make a huge difference in the look of a portrait. As a starting point, I have put together a few Pinterest boards on what to wear for your portrait session . Once you know what you will be wearing, make sure to get your clothing together a few days before your session. Having items laundered, ironed, and anything else needed will help you feel prepared and ready too present the most confident you. If you are wanting more than one outfit during your portrait session, it is best to come up with a plan on how you will be changing outfits. In the studio I have a room just for that, but on location it can be a little more tricky. Keep this in mind when you were planning your outfit changes. Simple things like jackets, shirts, or dresses that can slip over your tank top, are great options.
4. Practice Hair & Makeup
Hair and makeup is a very important part of a portrait that is often overlooked. Make sure to bring a brush, spare makeup and anything else you may need to keep yourself looking fresh throughout your whole shoot. I am a huge fan of getting your hair and makeup professionally done, it's always an added confidence boost to have the morning spent at a salon. But whether you are having it professionally done or doing it yourself, I highly suggest you do a trial run to make sure that you love the way it turns out before your portrait session. I have put together a Pinterest board of some fun DIY hairstyles, you can also look at some of these Example Portraits to find your style.
5. Eat, Drink, And Rest
Keep your body happy. This advice goes for life in general, but it’s essential for your portraits. Make sure to eat something, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep before your session. Your body will thank you! Photo sessions are a blast but can be exhausting, so you’ll want to feel comfortable and happy!
6. Bring The Necessities
There’s no point in being miserable during your photo session. I highly recommend bringing some creature comforts to keep your mind and body happy during your shoot. Here’s a list of items you may want to bring to your portrait session.
7. Shave The Night Before
This tip mostly applies to facial hair or if you’ll be getting detailed shots of your legs. Shaving the night before your photoshoot will reduce any redness that may come from irritated skin.
8. Gather Your Props
If you are utilizing props for your portraits, make sure to assemble them a few days before the shoot. You don’t want to be late for your session because you couldn’t find your baseball glove for your senior portraits.
9. Have A Back-Up Plan
Weather is unpredictable, and rain can ruin a shoot. To prepare for your photo session, check the weather the night before. If it looks bleak, contact your photographer and plan what to do if it rains on your photoshoot.
10. Know What Happens After The Shoot
You’re going to be exhausted but excited after your photo session. If all went well, the first question after the shoot would be, “When will I see my images?” here’s my process after a portrait session:
Images will be available to view online within 10 days of your session.
An ordering session will be scheduled to pick which images are getting printed, delivered, and hung on the walls.
Online ordering will be available. Your link will be sharable for you to send to your family and friends.
Prints and Product typically take around 1 week after an order is placed to arrive. I will notify when they are ready for pick up. We can also arrange for them to be shipped to your home if desired.
Once everything is delivered, and my clients are raving about their finished pieces, I send over a completion email. This email confirms all items have been delivered, and my work as the photographer is complete.
I send over a feedback request to make sure my clients are satisfied and ask if there’s anything I can do better next time.
And that’s the list! That’s how to prepare for your photo session to have the best experience and images possible. I tried to make this as comprehensive as possible, but if I missed anything, check out my Frequently Asked Questions resource page or reach out to me at 720-717-2776 or AnnaBelleZPhotography@outlook.com
