THIS IS GENERAL ADVICE FOR BOTH GUYS AND GIRLS
First and foremost, you need to be well rested so you look fresh. Young and old alike can end up with bags under the eyes if you haven't had enough sleep. So make sure you get enough beauty sleep.
CLOTHING
Be careful of really loud colors. If your favorite band is Abysmal Dawn and your clothes reflect that then by all means wear what your comfortable in, but I have to ask you to remember that you do have a Mom and she's really going to want to see you in something at least a little more conservative. So since she's probably the one paying, why not make her happy and wear something she likes too. We have time to make both of you happy.
You have unlimited changes so if you're a quick changer, we can get several looks. But I should warn you that if you spend most of your time changing, you might be disappointed in the limited variety of pictures you get. I definitely suggest you bring double what you think we'll have time for so we have more to choose from.
Some of your shots will be full length and some will be just the upper portion of your body so plan your outfits completely. If you have a formal outfit on and all you brought was a pair of flip flops, it might not be the best look to go with. You will also want to choose more than one style. Play around with your clothes. Bring lights and darks and patterns and... well you get the idea.
Last, but most important, is to bring your clothes on hangers. You want them to be wrinkle free (unless they're supposed to look wrinkled). I do have an iron for touch ups if the need arises but we don't want to cut into your time ironing. It's also best to put each full outfit on its own hanger so all you have to do is put on what's on that hanger. You're wasting precious time if you're having to debate what top goes best with what pant. Make the decision at home so you can take your time with it then have it all prepared and ready to go when you're here.
You have unlimited changes so if you're a quick changer, we can get several looks. But I should warn you that if you spend most of your time changing, you might be disappointed in the limited variety of pictures you get. I definitely suggest you bring double what you think we'll have time for so we have more to choose from.
Some of your shots will be full length and some will be just the upper portion of your body so plan your outfits completely. If you have a formal outfit on and all you brought was a pair of flip flops, it might not be the best look to go with. You will also want to choose more than one style. Play around with your clothes. Bring lights and darks and patterns and... well you get the idea.
Last, but most important, is to bring your clothes on hangers. You want them to be wrinkle free (unless they're supposed to look wrinkled). I do have an iron for touch ups if the need arises but we don't want to cut into your time ironing. It's also best to put each full outfit on its own hanger so all you have to do is put on what's on that hanger. You're wasting precious time if you're having to debate what top goes best with what pant. Make the decision at home so you can take your time with it then have it all prepared and ready to go when you're here.
HAIR
Avoid getting a hair cut right before your session. Trust me, unless you have an exceptionally good stylist, it will look freshly cut. The more natural (or even lightly frosted), the better. Bleached hair is fine if you are just having casual photo's taken but if these are your senior photo's, you want them to be special. Senior photo's go in your graduation invitations and who knows, by the time the end of the year gets here you may have completely changed your look and hate this look. It makes it easier if you want to do a quick restyle during your session also. Oh, and don't forget to bring your hair care tools and products if you're going to want more than one hairstyle in your photo's. Just be sure these are quick changes.
SUNBURNS AND TANNING
Please avoid being out in the sun too much right before your session. Being a light skinned person myself, I know a little about sunburns. First, photographs are all about coloring and if you have splotches of red everywhere, it's very unattractive on paper. Then there's the peeling skin if it's bad enough. Sunburns in general, are a definite no-no.
If you tan, that's fine, although you have to take into consideration where your tan lines will be. You might want to wear clothes at your session that would inadvertantly show your tan line, so be aware of this as your having fun in the sun.
If you tan, that's fine, although you have to take into consideration where your tan lines will be. You might want to wear clothes at your session that would inadvertantly show your tan line, so be aware of this as your having fun in the sun.
COMPLEXION AND THE DREADED ACNE
Don't worry about it! If you get a touch of acne before your session be aware that I can do a little extra work on your pictures and make them disappear at no extra cost to you. I don't do this automatically, though, so you have to let me know if you want it done.
PETS
Pets are a great idea. They are, after all, part of the family, aren't they?! I would offer a few precautions though. Feed them a few hours before your session so they aren't hungry but take up their food after they're done. If they eat right before your session you might have to take time away from your shoot to take them out. Another thing you might want to consider is to bring someone who can care for them once their part in the shoot is over. If that's not possible, bring a large pet carrier so you don't have to interupt your time to chase after them. One last piece of advice is to bring their favorite treats. Treats can be very helpful in holding your pets attention and getting them to pose.
PROPS
I have three words for you on this one. BRING THEM ALL!! Portraits are no longer impersonal with just your face filling the shot. It's about capturing who you really are. If your in band, bring you jacket and instrument. If your a football player bring your football and jacket and awards. Bring trophy's and uniforms and your school blanket or yearbooks... Well, you get the point. If it helps identify who you are, bring it all. Even your car (although that has to stay outside) so we can get some cool shots of you with it. If you want to bring something but aren't sure you should, just call and we'll talk about it. That's what I'm here for. The odds are I can't answer every call immediately as I don't have a receptionist but if I don't answer, leave a message and you have my word I'll call as soon as I can.
GLASSES
If you will be wearing glasses for your photo's, you might want to talk to your optometrist about borrowing a pair of duplicate frames without the lens in them.
BRACES, SCARS, TATTOOS AND OTHER IMPERFECTIONS
I personally think you should embrace all these things because they represent who you are at this time in your life. However, I also understand that sometimes you want them hidden. For small scars and tattoos I can help. Just let me know ahead of time and with a little extra work I can usually make them disappear. By the way, I don't charge for this service but I do need to know ahead of time if you want it done as I don't do it automatically.
Braces can be more difficult so my first suggestion is to talk to your orthodontist and see if you can have your tops removed for the occasion. You would be surprised how often it's done. If that's not a possibility, then I can try to retouch the photo's and get them to disappear but I make no guarantee with braces. If all else fails, just smile and forget about them. They aren't as bad as you think they are. I promise. But I beg of you... don't fight the urge to smile. A full smile with braces is hands down better than a repressed half smile.
Braces can be more difficult so my first suggestion is to talk to your orthodontist and see if you can have your tops removed for the occasion. You would be surprised how often it's done. If that's not a possibility, then I can try to retouch the photo's and get them to disappear but I make no guarantee with braces. If all else fails, just smile and forget about them. They aren't as bad as you think they are. I promise. But I beg of you... don't fight the urge to smile. A full smile with braces is hands down better than a repressed half smile.
MOTHER NATURE
We all know Texas weather can be very unpredictable. If your session is scheduled for outdoors and it rains, then the only thing we can do is reschedule. It's unfortunate but there won't be a lot you or I can do about it. If your session has to be rescheduled due to the weather I will call and let you know so if you don't hear from me then we're still on. I won't cancel because of clouds because if it's just cloudy, we are in luck. The camera LOVES cloudy days.
JUST FOR GIRLS
CLOTHING
Don't let anyone talk you into wearing something your uncomfortable in. It will show in your expression and your body language and the camera picks all that up. That having been said, you should be aware that baggy clothes will make you look larger than you are so make sure your clothes flatter your figure. If you don't like your arms, wear loose sleeves. Tight sleeves will emphasize any fullness in your arms and so will no sleeves. You know your body best, so wear what you know will flatter it.
Be forewarned that there may be outfits that I veto. Sexy is okay, but there is a fine line where sexy can become distasteful.
Bring a variety of styles. We want to capture all of who you are. Not just one side of you.
If your session is completely outdoors, there may not be a place where you can change. To compensate, you can wear a few layers and add or drop a piece for a different look. Just keep in mind the heat in the summer. You don't want to get too hot.
Be forewarned that there may be outfits that I veto. Sexy is okay, but there is a fine line where sexy can become distasteful.
Bring a variety of styles. We want to capture all of who you are. Not just one side of you.
If your session is completely outdoors, there may not be a place where you can change. To compensate, you can wear a few layers and add or drop a piece for a different look. Just keep in mind the heat in the summer. You don't want to get too hot.
UNDERWEAR
This is something I have no choice but to discuss. You MUST be careful of what you have on under your clothes. If you're going to be wearing white pants at some point, you don't want to have on dark underwear. On the other side of the coin, if you are wearing a white bra and put on a black sleeveless top, it's going to look bad. So pay attention to your underwear. If you have a wide variety of clothing, then consider bringing additional undergarments to match. It doesn't seem like a big issue but trust me, it can be.
JEWELRY
Don't forget it at home. Although you don't want so much of it on that it pulls the attention away from the main subject (YOU), a little always makes you look good. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, put each set into a baggie and hang it on the hangar with the correct outfit. This will also speed up your changing time and that's a good thing.
MAKEUP
Makeup should only be slightly heavier than normal. You want it to look like your going on a date and make sure your mascara doesn't have any clumps. Other than that, there are no hard and fast rules. If your going to want a "clean" look in addition to your normal makeup, we'll do the clean look first then you can put on more makeup. But remember, you want to be able to change your look quickly so you don't take away too much time from your session. One thing to be careful of, though, is blending. Make sure your makeup is blended well onto your neck and that your neck isn't 3 shades whiter than your face. Those wicked lines that show where the makeup ends show ten-fold on pictures so blend well. You might want to bring chapstick or lip gloss so your lips don't get dry.
If you have blemishes, don't use too much makeup trying to hide them. It will be much easier for me to make them disappear if you have a more natural look. Trust me on this, you will look great.
If you have blemishes, don't use too much makeup trying to hide them. It will be much easier for me to make them disappear if you have a more natural look. Trust me on this, you will look great.
FINGER AND TOE NAILS
Your nails are going to be in your pictures with you so you want them to look good. If they have chipped polish or the nails need to be trimmed, it will show. Also, many casual shots are done barefoot, so don't forget about your toenails. You might want to veer away from outrageous colors because although they will look really cool with your jeans and t-shirt, they may not go so well with your prom dress.
FOR YOU GUYS
CLOTHING
I have to say this again...If Mom gets her picture of you in your nice clothes then she will be more lenient about letting you have what you want. There's an old adage that is so so true. If Mom aint happy, nobody is happy! I know because I'm a Mom. LOL
Bring the right shoes for the outfits.
Bring dark t-shirts to wear under your dark shirts and white t-shirts to wear under light shirts
Bring socks to match the outfit. An all black outfit with a slip of white accidentally showing at the ankle is quite a distraction.
Bring the right shoes for the outfits.
Bring dark t-shirts to wear under your dark shirts and white t-shirts to wear under light shirts
Bring socks to match the outfit. An all black outfit with a slip of white accidentally showing at the ankle is quite a distraction.
FACIAL HAIR
Facial hair is fine if it's what you want but stubble because you forgot to shave can be a problem. Make sure you are clean shaven for your appointment. What if you have a mustache that your Mom hates? That's easy! We can do your shots with it first, then you can shave it off and we can get the shots your Mom's going to love. It's all about compromise.
