5 ways to prepare for a portrait session
Rhode Island Portrait Photographer
Congratulations! Booking a professional portrait session is an exhilarating experience, and it's something I firmly believe everyone should treat themselves to at least once a year! Portraits allow you to get all dressed up, strut your stuff, and make photographs that you and your family can look back on for years to come. There's something compelling watching you and your family evolve over the years. It's the perfect way to boost your confidence and a chance to capture this specific moment in your life. One that will not come around again!
I'm also going to be honest; unless it's your job, having your photo taken can be a little intimidating. This is especially true if you've never had a portrait session before. Many folks associate professional photographs with the annual torture of picture day at school. Many of my married couples, their wedding was the last time they got in front of the camera. Maybe you've never had a professional photoshoot.
It's okay to be a little nervous. After all, you're stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new. That's incredibly brave! Regardless of your experience, you can enjoy and benefit from having a portrait session for yourself and your family.
This is why I put together this guide. I want to help you feel a little more comfortable about your upcoming portrait session and help your nerves give way to pure excitement!
Pamper yourself
This is the best part of the guide, which is why this tip is the first one. Your portrait session is officially the permission you may need to pamper yourself! The week of your session is the perfect time to practice a little self-care. Take a night to treat yourself to a facial scrub or soothing mask to refresh your skin or enjoy a luxurious bubble bath. Visit the salon for a touchup if you dye your hair and even splurge on a manicure to make sure your nails are looking their best. Taking care of yourself also means drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and fried foods, and getting plenty of sleep. Try to go to bed early the night before your session to prevent any bags under your eyes. The more refreshed and relaxed you feel, the better your images will turn out!
Pick the perfect look.
The question I probably get asked most often is What should I wear? I have a styling guide that I send to all my clients that helps them put outfits together. While choosing an outfit to wear is up to the individual and depends on what kind of images you want to create, some essential tips apply to everyone:
Avoid neon colors.
Stick to neutral and jewel tones. If you're going to wear something brighter, make sure it looks good with your skin tone and hair color.
Stay away from distracting prints or patterns.
Keep accessories elegant and minimal. Instead of multiple necklaces, opt for one classy statement piece.
Opt for solid colors.
If you are buying new clothing, make sure everything fits correctly before the day of your session.
Consider hiring a makeup artist.
This is along the lines of pampering yourself. For the makeup wearers out there, consider having your makeup done for you. Now I know you do your own makeup every day and know what amount looks best on you, but makeup for photography is entirely different. A professional makeup artist helps make sure you look your best on camera. Their skilled work can give you a little extra confidence boost for your session. If you don't wear makeup, then this is a great time to look extra special. I do not wear makeup at all (to the utmost dismay of my daughter); however, my hair and makeup were done for me during my last portrait session because I wanted to look extra special, and by golly, I did!
“Thank you sweet Mo for building up my sweet girl and making her feel so special!.”
Bring along some snacks and drinks.
While you definitely want to stay hydrated in the days leading up to your session, it's just as important to keep drinking water during your session. When you're packing up your outfits and extra makeup and hair products, throw some bottled water and a few non-messy snacks into your bag as well. You may find yourself getting hungry later in the day, and having a little snack can help keep your mood and energy up.
Avoid getting in a rush.
The day of your session should be a relaxing one - especially if you have little ones. Try not to make other appointments or commitments at the same time because you're going to be thinking of all the things you have to balance. Instead, spend the time before your session leisurely getting ready. Make your session THE activity for the day.
Here are a few other tips for keeping your day stress-free:
Take time to eat a decent breakfast, so you don't have to go through your photoshoot with an empty stomach.
Pack your bag and put your outfits together the night before, so you can just grab everything and go.
Look up directions to your portrait location in advance, so you know how to get there.
Check on traffic the morning of your session and give yourself extra time, if necessary.
Give yourself plenty of time. It's okay to arrive early!
Bonus tip!
Stay in conversation with your photographer.
It's totally okay to have questions about your session. Feel free to ask – Ask ALL the questions! Suppose you wait until the last minute to voice any concerns you have. In that case, it's potentially more challenging for me as your photographer to meet your needs. Don't think that you're going to be perceived as a problematic person. If it's important to you, then I want to know about it. Chances are, I'm emailing you here and there with questions about your session, but if there's something I haven't asked about – please let me know. Stay in touch from the day you book your session right up until the photoshoot itself. Let me know what you expect, what you want your images to look like, and ask any questions you may have. After all, my job is to make images that you're going to hang all over your home. I want to make sure you genuinely enjoy your portrait experience!
