This is a question I get asked all the time! What should I wear to my photo session? Any suggestions on how to prepare for our session? Up until now I have just talked about a list of things that people may want to remember before their shoot. Some may seem like common sense. All of these has come up in at least one of my photo sessions before. I decided it was time it to put together a comprehensive infographic on the subject.
Hair, This is a big one. Be prepared! Ladies, Color your roots unless you are okay with the two tone look. The ombre style is still in right now but if it isn't intentional than make sure you think about it. Also, if you have long hair and it is a windy day an up-do might be the way to go. Please don't experiment with your hair the day before your shoot. If your hairstyle turns out wrong and you look like Edward Scissorhands that doesn't count for an emergency reschedule on your family portrait session.
Men, Clean up the hair a day or two before the session. Please trim the crazy eyebrows, nose hair and ear hair. Shave or trim the facial hair. It will make you happier in the end (as well as your wife, girlfriend, mother, potential girlfriend...you get the idea).
Make-up. Naturally enhanced is best and classic. Whatever makeup (and clothes) you choose, make sure that it is not too overdone or trendy. Bring lipstick or lip gloss to touch up during the session. You to be the focal point of your portraits not your makeup or your outfit. Think baby blue tuxedo 20 years from now. You get the drift. For ladies I think Audrey Hepburn would be the quintessential role model and for guys think Cary Grant. You can be a little more modern than that, but with those two you can't go wrong.
Follow the tips below and evaluate your clothing choices for the day of your portrait shoot carefully. Think first of your outfits complementing the other members of your group. Stick with one color family or best of all I prefer neutrals. You want to think of the decor of your home as well. If you stick with neutrals, 5 years from now when you're bored with the color scheme of your home and you want to change it up, the portrait you hung above your fireplace is still relevant.
Something a great number of ladies forget, Clean off or change your nail polish just before your portrait session. Little things like that will stick out to you like a sore thumb to you when we sit down for our photo reveal and you would not want to go through all this work to be disappointed that you forgot something so small.
Shoes, I did once have to photoshop boots on someone. And yes, I do charge extra for that. Not to mention that nothing looks as good as the real thing. If you decide to be casual and where flip flops to your beach sunset photo shoot and you don't want to be photographed in them or with bare feet, I would consider putting your shoe choice in the car the night before so they don't get lost in the shuffle. Men, suits and sneakers don't go, unless maybe your are making a statement with wearing Chuck Taylor's on your wedding day. If not, choose dress shoes for a dress outfit and so on. You get the drift.
There are several more suggestions in here that are good easy to follow guidelines for anyone planning a portrait session. Depending on the type of session you choose, we will go over more in depth suggestions for what to wear or bring with you.
For if you are a photographer looking for the best way to help your clients get ready, feel free to share this post and free infographic. But, please do not alter it in any way, Thank you!
