Planning
Planning for a photoshoot can seem very stressful and overwhelming at first. There are so many aspects to think about and so many things and people to coordinate. This guide will hopefully give you some direction when you start thinking about getting photos taken. If you ever have any questions or need to discuss ideas and logistics, please reach out at any time!
Find your inspiration
A great way to start getting ideas of what you want your photos to look like is by Googling or Pinterest-ing. You can find what you like (and don’t like) very easily!
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Find the trends in the photos you like. Are they all in the city? In a garden? Sports field? Outdoor? Indoor? Are they bright and airy or dark and dramatic?
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Take your time in finding what you want and gathering your ideas.
Determining a location
Based on your inspiration, we can pick a location for your photoshoot! But keep in mind, how far are you willing to drive?
You can schedule multiple nearby locations in a single session or divide a session up to cover multiple settings.
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If you have any specific locations in mind, please share! Keep in mind, some locations do have certain restrictions or additional fees for photography.
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While photography in homes is easy and comfortable for you (no driving!) and is great for family photos, keep in mind that photography equipment may need to be brought in to produce the best possible pictures. Furniture may need to be rearranged to make room, but any disturbances will be kept to a minimum and corrected afterwards.
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For some inspiration see my Photo Locations Guide for some ideas of amazing locations I’ve used previously.
When to take photos
Your location and inspiration may determine when you take your photos. If you are looking for fall photos, you’ll most likely want to take photos in September-October. If you want flowers and greenery, summertime is what you’re looking for.
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We can schedule multiple sessions at different times in the year. So if you want some summer photos and some fall photos…totally doable!
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Sunny days are actually not the best day to take photos. Direct sunlight can cast very harsh shadows while cloudy days cast a more even - therefore, better - lighting across faces.
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Make sure you have a few hours to dedicate to your shoot. You may want to spend time doing your hair or makeup before. The shoot will also take time. Plus if kiddos need a snack break or diaper change, we can always work that into our schedule! A great way to save a bit of time is to come in an outfit you’re planning on wearing in the photos.
Outfit 1
Outfit 2
Outfit 3
Outfit 3 1/2
What to wear
The most important thing when it comes to picking outfits, is to be you! It shows when you're uncomfortable whether you're wearing too snug of shoes or an outfit you're not confident in.
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Group photos: Try to coordinate the participants’ outfits. Having consistent colors and textures (but not perfectly matching) makes your photos look intentional and phenomenal.
Example: everyone wears shades of burgundy, brown and cream
Senior Pictures: Seniors are encouraged to bring more than 1 outfit to their session for some variety. Bear in mind that changing outfits may add additional time.
Examples: Cap and Gown, Athletic Uniform, Casual Outfits, Dressy Outfits, Varsity Jacket
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For all photoshoots, you are welcome to bring as many outfits as you'd like. However, keep in mind, that changing outfits does take time and depending on the location, you may not have easy access to a vehicle for storing extra outfits.
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I have a quick pop-up changing tent you are able to use to change outfits in without leaving a location.
Helpful Tips
Try on your all of your outfits before the shoot. Look at every angle in a mirror. Is your undershirt showing through? Are unflattering undergarment lines showing? Make sure you like and feel confident in all your outfits.
Avoid getting a new haircut or trying a new makeup look or skincare routine right before your shoot. That way, if you're not happy with it, you won't be stuck taking pictures with it.
Try to avoid wearing thin lines (like strips or plaid). It can distort in a camera lens and create undesirable patterns. Neon colors are also usually a no-go.
Bring a comfortable, slip-on pair of shoes. Depending on the location, we may need to walk to different spots to take photos. If you’re wearing heels, not-so-comfortable shoes, or shoes you don’t want to get dirty, think about bringing an extra pair of easy slide-on shoes you can alternate with when not in front of the camera.
Over hair spray your hair! Especially if you want to have outdoor pictures. Use extra hairspray to hold those little fly-aways in place.
Classic outfits tend to stand the test of time more than very trendy outfits. While this is not a rule, this is just something to keep in mind.
Accessorize and layer. Accessories and layers help add interest to an outfit and sometimes provide natural props. It’s also an easy way to create “new outfits” without having to do much changing. (Above, we added a cap and gown to Outfit 3 to make Outfit 3 ½)
If you're wearing make-up, wear a little extra face powder (bring extra powder or bring blotting paper) to avoid oiliness in your photos later.
Props
Props are more than welcome at any session! Props give models something to do with their hands when they’re feeling a little nervous. It also brings out the personality and interests of the model.
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You can always bring more than you think you need and whether we use it or not, you’ll have it just in case.
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Senior Pictures: Many seniors like to bring props that compliment their interests. For an athlete, they may wear their soccer uniform and bring a soccer ball. For a book-lover, they may bring some of their favorite books. A musician may bring their violin.
Posing
Depending on the location, you may be sitting, bending, kneeling, or more. So make sure you’re clothes aren’t too tight or too short to move around in.
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If any pose at any time is uncomfortable, please say so!
Please bring or send ahead any ideas for poses you want. I’ll have some ideas ready, but if there’s any poses you would like, we’ll make sure to add those in!