I was perusing our Twitter feed this morning and happened across a post by Donna Serdula. Donna is well respected and published LinkedIn Guru, who had a posted an innocuous tweet about bringing multiple changes to a headshot session.
That got ME thinking about a prep email we send out to all of our clients when we confirm their upcoming photo session. Seemed as good a time as any to share with our readers, followers, etc.
These are just typical, industry standard tricks and tips that most professional photographers will impart to you before a professional or family portrait session.
So thanks for the inspiration Donna!
On Clothing: Try and keep colors from getting too close to your natural skin tone! That’s our biggest tip for you.
· Avoid clothes that may take you back to the 70s’: i.e. wild checks, stripes, and very busy patterns; especially if worn together!
· Avoid clothing extremes. Generally, turtle necks and V-necks are good, as long as they don’t over-power the face. Dress to feel comfortable.
· RELAX!! If you are feeling frazzled, it will come across in the portraits.
· Opt for long-sleeve shirts rather than short-sleeve.
· The color of the clothes:
- Avoid bright reds and orange (they battle your face for attention)
- Darker colors are generally better than light colors.
- Colors like white, yellow, and pink tend to over-power the face and can make you look too pale.
- In general, the best colors are medium shades of blue, green, burgundy, and rust.
· Baggy pants, shorts, and slacks do not photograph well and are not recommended. Well-fitting jeans are always a good call.
· When doing a studio shoot, come to the studio in sweats or street clothes when or if possible. It’s ok if you aren’t able to; but if you will be wearing multiple outfits, you can change here to keep them looking fresh.
· These are just guidelines though, you should definitely show your personal style in your portraits and throw caution to the wind if it suits your personality.
For Makeup: Not too heavy, not too light. If you “never wear makeup” you might want to at least use some for your photo session.
· Accent the eyes using mascara and eyeliner
· Eye shadow should be used sparingly.
· A light foundation or base gives the complexion an even tone.
· Use powder to eliminate shine.
· A blusher gives the skin a healthy glow.
· Coordinate lipstick with the outfit worn.
· If dark circles are present under the eyes, use an erase that is close to the skin tone.
Shaving & Hair
· Get a good shave if you have a heavy beard.
· Don’t get a new hair cut just before the shoot. Give it a week. Consider having it styled for the shoot, but skip the cut. If you really want a cut, just don’t go radical.
· If you get your eyebrows waxed or threaded, please do so at least 2-3 days prior to your headshot shoot.
· A change in your hairstyle is not recommended. Arrange your hair normally and as you want it to appear in the portrait. Freshly shampooed hair photographs best.
· No glitter make-up or sparkles in your hair.
Other Stuff
· Increased water consumption will help clear your skin and give it a healthy glow. It will also make you look younger and fresher.
· Reducing consumption of coffee, teas and sodas will give your teeth a break from stains and discoloration too!
· If at all possible, avoid alcohol for a day or two before your shoot. It dehydrates the skin.
· Try to get a good night’s rest before the day of your shoot.
For Children’s Photo Shoots
· For children under the age of 6, one of the most important things to do is to make sure they’ve had a nap before the photo shoot. Even if they don’t normally sleep during the day, in this case, make an exception. A tired kid is usually an impatient and cranky kid. Difficult enough for a parent to deal with; nearly impossible for us to try and work with when we’re trying to make them look like a rock star!
· Feed your child first and have food ready in case they need a snack during the photo shoot. For kids of any age (and lots of adults too), a full stomach makes a lot of difference to improving a mood and improving the ability to focus for more than a minute or two.
· Don’t give your kid food or drinks that are proven hyper-energy boosters. No sugar and no caffeine before or during the shoot! This means no soda, nothing with ketchup, no sugary cereals, no cookies and so on. Hyper kids are even more difficult to photograph than tired or cranky kids.
· Be sure to explain clearly to your child about the photo shoot before you even meet up with us. Tell them my name; explain what will be happening and why the pictures are being taken. Even more important to explain, is that they need to listen to what I’m asking them to do. (Such as how to pose, or to look at the camera or to hold still, etc.)
· During the shoot, unless the photographer asks you to, try not to direct your child too much. Although it’s instinctive that you’ll want to, it really is best to let us do what you hired us to do. Plus they will get very confused and upset when they have two different people trying to tell them what to do.
· If we’re shooting in our studio, be sure to take a few minutes to let your child wander the studio and check things out before our camera comes out. It’s important that we establish a rapport with the little ones before starting the photo session. Even just a few minutes of me talking to the child – or with very young children, just getting them used to the sound of a new voice – will make a big difference in the quality and tone of your child’s session.
· Bring a few of their favorite small toys with you. If you’ve booked more than half an hour (most sessions are 60 to 90 minutes at least), then take them for a 5 minute walk halfway through. If we’re somewhere outdoors, let them run and play for a few minutes. If we’re in your home, let them play in their room or in your yard for a short while. Again, a happy child is much easier to take pictures of than an unhappy one.
· A simple thing but sometimes an overlooked one, is to be sure your child has gone to the bathroom right before the shoot. And if they haven’t, then be sure to take at least one washroom break – even if your child doesn’t ask for one – during your session. Many children are too shy to ask to go to the bathroom if they’re around a stranger or in a strange situation. If your child is still in diapers, make sure they’re clean and dry at all times during the shoot. If they need a diaper change, don’t hesitate to take the time. We expect this, so don’t worry about taking the time to do it.
· If, despite all your best efforts, your child is in no mood for a photo shoot and is fussy, or crying non-stop or just won’t be still or calm, don’t try to force the situation. Reschedule. The sooner you decide it’s better to reschedule, the less time you’ll need to pay us for being in a situation where we’re unable to do our job. Although it might end up costing you a bit more than you’d bargained for, if the photos of your child are important to you, rescheduling with us will be worth it.
About the author: Brian Miller is a multiple award winning photographer and photojournalist. He is also the owner of Chorus Photography in suburban Philadelphia.
chorus photography 