Getting Prepared for Your Portrait Session
I like to ensure my clients are comfortable, enjoy their session, and get the type of pictures they requested. With that said, being prepared for your portrait session can make an average session turn into an over-the-top experience with that ‘WOW’ factor you’re looking for. I’ve provided some tips you can use to ensure you are happy with the final images that you will be proud to share with family and friends.
1. Communication – Before, During, & After. We will have a final-prep call 3 to 5 calendar days before your session. We will review start time, locations, weather, outfits, and discuss the over-all feel / vibe you want your final images to convey. If you don’t know all the above, don’t worry. I am here to assist and offer up some suggestions. We will spend 20-30 minutes reviewing what you desire your visual story to tell. Your visual story is the foundation we will build a session plan from. During the photo shoot we need to make sure we are both communicating and, more importantly, having fun! Never feel like you don’t have the option to provide your personal input into the image. Your ideas are welcome! After the session, I’ll ask for your feedback on proofs. This is a critical piece to having final edits. For example, if you’d like the images a little warmer, cooler, or want something magically removed from the image just ask. If it can be done, I will do it. We will decide together what looks better. These images are yours. I want you to be happy with them now and 20 years from now. I have an open door policy, so if you have a question, reach out to me at any time.
2. Start Time – We all have heard, “Get your images done during the golden hour.” This is known as the time approximately 45-60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. It is generally considered the best light of the day for natural light photography. However, we are not bound to only capturing images during this narrow window. Unlike a 100% natural light photographers, I use on and off camera lighting when appropriate. This gives us the flexibility to shoot anytime of the day or night and create some really dramatic images.
Even with that said, most of my sessions do take advantage of one of the two golden hours of the day. We can make it the beginning, middle, or end of the day, whatever suites your schedule or aligns with your visual story. Pro Tip: For those scheduling a Fall session, we typically see the morning golden hour have more dramatic sky colors than in the afternoon between September and late October.
3. Location, Location, Location! Really, we can have three, four, or just one. The location(s) besides your outfit(s) really helps strengthen your visual story. Looking at the first two images in this guide, you can see that one client wanted an urban vibe, while the other wanted a tranquil outdoor feel to her images. Rolling hills, streams, gardens, and waterfalls go great with a soft serene story. While moving cars, concrete, graffiti, and modern structures help demonstrate energy and power. Your visual story might need one or several locations, but how many we can do will be determined by the time frame we are together. The block of time you select for your session starts at the agreed upon start time. If you get a 3-hour session and we start at 5:00pm, we need to think how many different locations we can make it to before we end at 8:00pm, while still getting quality images. Traffic, parking, hiking, set-up, and areas with high pedestrian traffic can cause delays capturing images either at the location or getting to the next one. I will help you determine if the location(s) you desire are feasible in the session duration selected. The time of year will also influence if the location is feasible. I will travel outside of the greater Austin if requested. I have had sessions in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Seattle, San Diego, Miami and even the Caribbean. I do charge travel and expenses (T&E) outside of the Greater Austin and Hill Country/Fredericksburg area. The T&E fees will be required to be paid within one (1) week of actual expenses being accrued. The client will be responsible for travel fees that are not refundable due to cancellation. Some locations require fees to take professional pictures at them (i.e. Laguna Gloria, Austin Botanical Gardens, Lady Bird Wildflower Center, and many Texas Parks.) Those fees can be paid directly by you or we can include the fees in your final invoice. Due to Covid-19, the Co-op studio I use has had to close its doors. If it re-opens or I find another location that meets my minimum requirements, I will start scheduling studio sessions again. Covid guidelines have also limited previously free locations (i.e. Driskill Hotel, Oasis, high school auditoriums.) Therefore, while the Pandemic exists, focus on locations that are accessible with little to no Covid limitations (i.e. masks at all times.) Safety is always top of mind. As you can see from a few sample images, we have held sessions in not-so-safe locations. (Cliffs, RR tracks, near busy highways) If at any time you or I do not feel safe – we stop and move to a safer location.
4. Clothing / Attire – Your wardrobe choices, hair style, and make-up will have the largest impact on your visual story. Your look is unique and I want to keep it that way. However, there are some basics you need to know.
a. Colors – I love bright, vibrant colors! I grew up in the 80’s where neon was the bomb! However, these colors don’t always work. Let’s think about the background and location before choosing your colors.
i. Males - For formal images; black, navy blues, or dark solid color jackets are the go-to. It is ok to do a splash of color with a handkerchief or tie. For the shirt, you cannot go wrong with white or pastels. Monochromatic can be make a very powerful statement as well. If you wear a jacket or shirt with a pattern, be aware. Small patterns, tiny prints and lines, especially on full length images, fade away. Whatever the dominate color is will be what shows up to the camera. If you want the pattern to make an impact, make sure it is large (1/4” or greater). This will ensure it shows up and can been seen close up and far away.
ii. Females – For formal images, the entire color pallet is at your discretion. Word of advice- make sure it will work with the setting you are in. You don’t want to wear a power red dress in a location full of pastel colors, nor a pastel sundress in location full of primary colors.
iii. Outdoor sessions can have a lot of shadows and dark background colors such as dark greens, oranges, browns, blacks – depending upon time of year. Neutral, pastel, and colors opposite of the color wheel from those aforementioned work great outside. For example, during a Fall session where there are bursts of yellows and oranges, light/pastel blues and greens are a good contrast. While in Spring and Summer; violets, pinks, and reds will work best. This is not a set rule. The monochromatic look that will mimic the environment is extremely popular and will help strengthen the setting. (Color Wheel Link: https://www.canva.com/colors/color-wheel/) The color you choose can also make a big impact or your skin tone. If you have yellowish skin tones, wearing yellow or olive green will make your skin look more yellow. If you have red tones, wearing red, pinks, and mauves will make your skin look red.
b. Texture/contrast – Photographers like me love texture. A flat t-shirt with flat pants will provide no depth which means you’ll need to make it up with your modeling skills. An alternate color or pattern in the smallest places can make a big difference (see guidance for patterns above). For the men, this may be a bit more difficult for you to find than for the ladies. Don’t be afraid to ask your lady friends for fashion guidance. I have heard Moms, wives and girlfriends love getting you out of your favorite t-shirt and sweats into something dapper. (Watch ZZ Tops video for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wRHBLwpASw ) Vests, jackets, pleated pants, a watch, chain with charm, or rolling up your sleeves adds character. Ladies, try not to wear too much texture unless you are going for a dramatic Gucci / Louis Vuitton catalog look. There is bad texture too. Don’t forget to iron or take those outfits to the cleaners before the session. I can clean up some in editing, but a brand-new dress shirt or dress that just arrived in a box that has not been pressed can ruin an image.
c. Grooming –
i. Make-up – How much makeup you wear is up to your discretion. A good foundation is all you really need for some great images. I have the power of Photoshop at my fingertips. Therefore, even if you show up with no makeup on at all, I can make you look like a supermodel if that’s what you want. My suggestion is to make sure the makeup (color) goes with your outfit(s) and bring what you need for touch ups. Pro Tip: A lot of make-up has some level of petroleum product in it. Thus, making your face shiny or reflect, especially if you already have oily skin. You can check your product label or do this simple test. Put on your makeup, do your normal activities for about an hour. Then, with a camera phone, take a picture with the flash on. Do you see a shine or strong reflection? If so, I suggest looking for an oil free makeup for the session. Your phone flash puts out significantly less light than the sun or my strobes, so what your seeing will be amplified during the session. https://www.byrdie.com/best-oil-free-foundations-4584531
i. Hair – Having your hair styled before the session is always recommended. I tell most clients to do so at least 3 days prior to a session, not the day of. I have seen clients go in for color or for just a trim and come to the session frustrated or in tears because their hair did not turn out the way they’d like. A day or two buffer gives us time to correct any mistakes that might happen or reschedule to let your hair repair or grow. Going for a styling the day of is probably ok. I’d just avoid going in for a color or cut the day of. Bring a brush or comb to the session so we can touch up when needed.
ii. Males – facial hair. If you are not purposely growing facial hair, please shave a few hours before the session. Some of us are different and there are those that shave in the morning and can have a 5 o’clock shadow by noon. Give your face enough time to cool down and any cuts and nicks to heal before the session.
iii. Females - If you shave your underarms and you plan on wearing an outfit at the session that could show your underarms please shave two to three hours before the session. Like the guys who have forgotten to shave, this can ruin an image. I have had to perform some editing magic to make things look better, but you can still see unnatural shadows.
iv. Hair & Make-Up services – I have some talented partners for hair and make-up in the Austin, Houston, and DFW area. If you would like to learn more about these services, let me know. (For Austin & DFW clients, my go to make-up artist is Claudia Lopez with Chanel)
5. Props - A prop as simple as a single flower can make a significant impact on the image. Cars, trucks, animals, hats, sporting equipment/balls, chairs, graduation offer letters, cap and gown, etc all make great additions and can really show your personality and interests.
6. Reference ideas – If you have seen something on TV, a magazine, or on Instagram that you really like, feel free to share with me. I am open to trying to recreate the image. Many of the sessions I have done come from an inspiration photo. We can make it happen and it will be better since you are in it!
7. Practice – This sounds weird, but it is true. We have a few hours to make the magic happen. I am assuming if you are reading this you are not a professional model. Get in front of the mirror and practice your looks and smile. Find your good side. See how your outfit moves with you. The jeans look great while you are standing up but while sitting could cause a whole set of issues. Maybe that shirt you received as a special gift looks more like a dress than a shirt or was ordered in a size that is too small. Try on your wardrobe changes prior to the session. All too often I hear “I have no idea what to do.” If you find yourself in this situation, try visiting youtube and search ‘how to pose for portraits.’ There are hundreds of videos for you to choose from. They cover everything from how to position your feet, hands, eyes, etc to what colors show up best in photos. Bonus points for those who can tell me why holding a virtual 5 foot submarine sandwich helps makes great photos.
I hope this helps you get ready for your session! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out - call or email me. (See Tip #1)