SPECIAL CONCERNS FOR GIRLS
There are certain things girls should be aware of when getting ready for your session:
ARRIVE EARLY
If you are scheduled at 4pm and show up late, or not ready, you will have less time with the photographer. Please plan to get your hair and makeup done before you arrive. If you need a few minutes for final touch-ups, please arrive early so your session can start on time.
CLOTHING
Avoids stripes and plaids! Solid colors photograph much better! Also, bring a variety of clothing: don’t bring 5 different blue outfits, even if it is your favorite color. Avoid clothing that has a lot of text on it: it can be very distracting in a photograph. Vary the style: all one look (like all tank tops) gets boring. Vary the dress level: bring some dressy, some medium, and some casual outfits. Remember to bring one or two outfits that Mom will like, and then we can do the stuff you want to do.
Our sessions give you unlimited looks within your session time. This means if you change fast, you get more variety. If you spend too much time changing, or fussing with too many accessories, you get less time in front of the camera. Most people can get three or four different looks per hour. We suggest that you bring double what you think you will need, so we will have more to pick from
Some shots are close up, while others are full length. Plan you outfits completely! It is difficult to do a full-length portrait in a formal gown if you only brought flip-flops.
As a general rule, light clothes look better on lighter backgrounds, and darker colors look better with darker backgrounds. If you want darker, moodier images, bring darker clothes, lighter airier looks suggest lighter clothes. We suggest some of both for the greatest variety.
Group your outfits together ON HANGERS! It’s amazing how many people come with clothes stuffed in a bag, and wonder why their clothes look wrinkled in the photographs. Make sure your clothes are ironed or steamed before you arrive.
If you are doing an outside session, we do have a small changing tent available. However, when outside, we are often at the mercy of the setting sun, and have limited time available. A layered outfit will give you a different look with a minimal amount of time spent changing.
CLOTHING STYLES
Make sure your clothing flatters YOU!
If you feel you have larger arms, be careful with sleeveless styles (or French Tees), they can make you arms look fuller than they really are.
Wild to mild is OK. We won’t tell you what you can or cannot wear. A little racy or fashion-y is OK, but DO NOT have all your outfits in that style. We photograph everything from prom dresses to sports uniforms, to cut-offs and T-Shirts. What one person likes may not be appropriate for the next person. As long as you keep it PG, we can work with it.
CLOTHES FOR HOLLYWOOD BLACK & WHITE
Our very popular ‘Hollywood’ B&W is best with black clothing, preferably long sleeve. The contrast between the skin and the black clothes is what makes it so dramatic. Remember to bring a black outfit, wild to mild! A layered outfit will give you additional looks as well. Remember, dark bottoms are important to complete the outfit.
UNDERGARMENTS
We can’t stress this one enough! It is amazing how many times someone will come in wearing flowered underwear, and not realize the problem until they try and put on their white shorts! Another common mistake is a white blouse with a black bra. Please remember to bring appropriate undergarments for EACH outfit. Flesh colored items are usually the most flexible. Also, if you bring a strapless (or spaghetti strap) top, you’ll need a strapless bra. Tucking bra straps under your arm usually ends up looking lumpy and awkward. With today’s fabrics, carefully select these pieces to avoid unsightly lines or shapes.
MAKEUP
Makeup should be only slightly heavier than day to day. ‘Evening out’ is the correct look for photography. Mascara should be clean, even, and contain no clumps. If you need new mascara, now is a good time. Please avoid makeup with sparkles: in a photograph, the sparkle creates a white spot that can look like a zit. Also, avoid using an SPF makeup. The SPF ingredient gets quite shiny in a photograph. Summer shine can be controlled with a translucent powder that knocks out shine, without adding any additional color. Remember to bring the powder with you for touch ups.
You can also consider having your makeup done professionally. Remember not to overdo the look. Many department store make-up counters will do a free make-up ‘demo’ for the cost of a new mascara or eye shadow. Just call ahead and ask!
HAIR
Avoid changing your hairstyle, or cutting your hair right before your session. Let it look natural. Quick easy hairstyle changes during your session are OK, but it must be quick, or you will have less time in front of the camera. Strongly bleached hair usually doesn’t photograph well, and in 10 years you might wonder what you were thinking. Bring what you will need (brush!) for hair touch-ups to the session.
Although we will try to help with hair, it is very difficult to know what your hair “is supposed to look like”. Check your hair after each clothing change, and let us know how you like to wear your hair. Your hairstyle is ultimately your responsibility.
JEWELRY
Our recommendation: keep it simple. We want the attention on you. Big shiny jewelry can distract from the main subject, YOU. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, group it ahead of time with each outfit to allow for the fastest possible outfit change.
PROPS
BRING THEM! Bring any props that help define your interests and personality. Popular choices include (but are certainly not limited to) sports equipment (balls, bats, skis) sports uniforms, musical instruments (from the tuba to an electric guitar, and everything between). Dance costumes, hobbies, trophies, you name it! We’ve even done shoots on the pool deck with swimmers. Cars are also a popular choice, but must be limited to outdoor locations, and often take more time to photograph.
GLASSES
Most glasses glare, some prescriptions more so than others. The best option is for your lenses to have an anti-glare coating on them. Another option is to check with your optometrist: many will let you borrow an empty set of frames, similar or identical to yours for the session.
SUNBURNS AND TANNING
Tan lines are not attractive in portraits. We suggest you wear different swimsuits before your session to minimize any tan lines. Remember, do not overdo your tanning: skin that looks like leather is not very attractive. AVOID SUNBURN! Sunburn and/or peeling skin simply does not photograph well.
COMPLEXION
We can easily retouch any blemishes. Extensive artwork is also available at an additional cost, but is usually not needed. We even offer an inexpensive option to retouch your entire folio or album. If you have any retouching questions, be sure to ask.
PETS
Pets are OK as long as they are housebroken. If you want to bring a pet, it’s a good idea to have someone bring it for some poses, then take it home for you. Remember, in the summer, it is extremely dangerous to leave an animal unattended in a hot car. Bring treats if it will help your pet perform for the camera.
FRIENDS & PARENTS
Friends and/or parents are welcome. They can be a big help during the session, especially outside. HOWEVER, if they will distract you, it might be best to have them wait in the gallery. You can even have a couple of poses with a boyfriend, best friend or sibling.
TATOOS, SCARS and BRACES
Just let the photographer know if you want tattoos to show or not. It’s that easy. Scars are not automatically retouched, but can be removed or softened by request. Extensive artwork may require an additional fee. Braces can also be removed for an additional fee, if you request it. DON’T fight smiling: a natural ‘braces’ smile looks much better than a fake ‘hide the braces smile’.
FINGER & TOE NAILS
Nails show! If your polish is chipped it will show. Casual photographs are often done in sandals, or barefoot; so don’t forget your toes. Avoid bright or garish colors. Natural or more muted colors work well. We don’t want your images to showcase your neon orange nails at the expense of your face. Also, consider that a given color might not look great with all your outfits.
WEATHER FOR OUTDOOR SESSIONS
Let’s face it; we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Don’t worry about cloudy weather, it actually helps! If it’s raining heavily, we will simply have to reschedule. If it is raining, we will determine if we need to cancel, often at the last minute. If you don’t hear from us, assume we are ON! If you have any questions about the weather, feel free to call the studio.