Portrait photo shoots are all about displaying an expression, style, personality, and mood of the person. Many types of portraiture focus on the person’s face, although the entire body and the background or context may be included. I will consult with you to understand what impression you want to portray and what message you want to communicate to create photos that meet those goals. This is done by me learning more about your business, understanding how you will use these photos and coming up with a strategy to ensure the images reflect your marketing message.
It is my job to make you feel relaxed and capture you in your natural state, because this is how your clients and prospects need to perceive you. Have fun and do not take the photo shoot too seriously. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the photo shoot that will make you look perfect.
Clients often ask what to wear. It truly depends on your industry and what message you want to portray about yourself and the company. A lawyer should wear a dark suit while a creative director may want to a more casual outfit without a tie. Avoid new trends that will go out of style because this will outdate your photo a year later. The key is to wear something that is simple, compliments your features, and is a reflection of what message you want to portray.
Get plenty of sleep the night before the photoshoot to avoid red eyes and puffiness under the eyes. A good night’s rest will also give you energy to be at your best and produce a natural smile. Drink plenty of water a few days prior to the photo shoot to have your skin hydrated, which will help fill in fine lines on the face naturally.
Below are preparation tips each for a woman and man:
Women’s Photo Shoot Preparation
- Make sure your hair color is fresh and styled as you normally would wear it but do not dye your hair right before the shoot. The fresh colored hair can appear too vibrant in the light.
- Schedule a haircut or trim at least one week prior to the shoot to allow the style to set in.
- You may want to consider adding makeup services done by a professional makeup artist to bring out your best features in a natural way.
- Trim your nose hair and pluck your eyebrows if that is part of your routine.
- If you wax, do so at least one week prior to avoid any redness or swelling.
- Some poses will have your hands in the photo. Make sure you have manicured nails and have your ring cleaned.
- Whiten your teeth if you feel the need to. You may have to start two weeks prior depending on the shade you desire.
- Do not over tan for the photo shoot. A little color is okay but do not look like you came from a beach vacation.
- If you normally wear glasses, feel free to wear it to the photo shoot. If you prefer to take them off, please wear contacts so you can see.
- Keep jewelry to a minimum. The pieces should not be bold, unless your type of business allows for it such as an artist, jewelry designer, interior designer, etc.
- Consider not only wearing a suit, but you may consider changing into a professional dress or shirt and blouse. These outfits should be a reflection of your personality and something you do wear on occasion.
- Do not wear anything sheer, as your undergarments will show through the blouse.
- Wear the appropriate colored undergarments such as a nude color bra to prevent any of the silhouette showing through a light colored blouse.
- Wearing stockings that match your skin tone is suggested but do not wear anything shiny.
- Choose complimentary colors and patterns for the major clothing items. Also consider the colors of the accessories to make a statement.
- Have all your clothing pressed and clothing cleaned.
- Make sure your suit is fitted, with the appropriate jacket length, etc.
- You may want to change into your shirt and jacket once you arrive to avoid wrinkles from the seat belt.
- Your shoes may end up in the photo based on certain poses so make sure they are in good condition and polished.
Men’s Photo Shoot Preparation
- It is ideal for men to have a haircut no sooner than a week prior to the photo shoot. That way it can grow in and be styled the way you usually wear it.
- If you color your hair, make sure your hair is color close to the photo shoot.
- Your hair stylist should already be trimming your neck hair but incase, make sure your neck is trimmed.
- Shave as close to the photo shoot as possible to avoid the 5 o’clock shadow, unless stubble is part of your everyday look. Pack a razor for any last minute touch ups.
- Trim your nose and ear hair.
- Groom your eyebrows so there can be a clear separation.
- Trim your facial hair of you have a beard or moustache.
- Trim your nails to a professional length.
- Whiten your teeth if you feel the need to. You may have to start two weeks prior depending on the shade you desire.
- Do not over tan for the photo shoot. A little color is okay but do not look like you came from a beach vacation.
- If you normally wear glasses, feel free to wear it to the photo shoot. If you prefer to take them off, please wear contacts so you can see.
- If you have a favorite watch, wear it but do not be too bold with jewelry. Keep it simple to a minimum.
- Consider not only wearing a tie, but you may consider changing into a bow tie or ascot if it is a reflection of your personality and something you do wear on occasion.
- Choose complimentary colors and patterns for the major clothing items such as shirt, jacket and tie. Also consider the colors of the accessories to make a statement.
- Wear an undershirt if you tend to sweat.
- Have all your shirts pressed and clothing cleaned.
- Make sure your suit is fitted, with the appropriate jacket length, etc.
- You may want to change into your shirt and jacket once you arrive to avoid wrinkles from the seat belt.
- Your shoes may end up in the photo based on certain poses so make sure they are in good condition and polished.
- Bring all your accessories such as jewelry, hair accessory, lapel pin, scarf, belt, etc. for women and a lapel pin, tie clip, boutonniere, pocket square, belt, etc. for men.
- Prepare your clothing in a garment bag to prevent them from getting wrinkled and stained.
- Bring some water to hydrate, especially for an outdoor photo shoot.
- Bring a handkerchief to wipe off sweat if doing an outdoor photo shoot.
- For women, if you decide to do your own makeup, bring your powder and lipstick for touch ups.
The location of the photo shoot can be indoors such as your place of business or a location outdoors. Your place of business offers you photos that is personalized to your business. It can highlight your company size, your technological advances, and your dedication to the community with shots of sponsorship plaques on the wall to name a few. You can bring your clients greater insight into your business and into your daily routine with examples of some poses behind your desk, talking to a client in your conference room, and shot of you making a presentation. Do not forget including your team under your company name/logo.
Outdoor shots are an alternative to those businesses who are not office based or those who do not have the facilities to make a great impression. There are so many great outdoor locations in South Florida that I have shot professional portrait shots. The location will be based on
If you followed my preparation techniques, you will feel confident the day of the photo shoot. I will make sure we will utilize the time wisely. Since we would have our list already prepared of all the shots we want to achieve that day during the consultation, the various poses, locations and outfit changes will be streamlined.
In addition to being an artist, I’m also an entrepreneur and marketer. This means I understand the realities of the marketplace in relation to your day to day. I’ll respect your time and will make the photo shoot efficient. I am flexible when it comes to rescheduling. I work seven days a week, so I am able to accommodate business after-hours photo shoots, including weekends.
