Seniors, here are some pro-tips for getting the most out of your session!
CLOTHING
It’s important that you’re comfortable with how you look on the day of your shoot so pick clothes that make you look your best, and are also consistent with who you are. If you book a session with multiple outfits, we do strongly recommend varying your outfits; all one style (like tanks) gets boring. Vary the dress level too. Some dressy, some medium, and some casual. Remember, it’s best to do some outfits that mom likes, and some that YOU like. Bring a variety of color too; don’t bring five blue outfits even if blue is your favorite color.
Most of our sessions allow for outfit changes within your scheduled time period. This means if you change fast, you get more variety. Spend all day in the dressing room, and you’ll get a lot less time modeling in front of the camera. We suggest you spend some time planning your outfits out to give you efficiency in changing, and also bring a couple of extra sets so you can have more choices.
Some shots are close up and some are full length. Please plan your outfits completely as it’s hard to do a full length formal in a dressy outfit if you only brought tennis shoes.
As a general rule, lighter clothes look better on lighter backgrounds, and darker clothes look better on darker backgrounds. So, if you prefer dark, bring dark. If you prefer light, bring some of both.
Group your clothes together ON HANGERS. If your clothes are in a plastic bag on the way to the studio, they will be wrinkled for the photos. Make sure that they are ironed also. We have a steamer to assist with any last minute wrinkles, but we don’t want to waste your session time on that.
If you are doing an outdoor session, most locations don’t have places to change, but if you wear a layered outfit, you can add or drop a piece for a varied look.
CLOTHING STYLES
Make sure your clothing flatters you. For example, if you think you have large arms, be careful of sleeveless styles, they can make your arms look fuller. Darker colors are also typically more slimming than lighter colors.
UNDERGARMENTS
Please check to make sure there are no see through problems with lighter outfits. Please bring appropriate foundation wear for each outfit. Flesh colored is the best you can hope for. Also, if you need a strapless, please bring one. Tucking straps down usually shows and looks bad. With today’s thin fabrics, you will want to carefully select these pieces so they do not give unsightly lines.
MAKEUP
NO SPF, REFLECTANCE, SHIMMERS OR SPARKLES OF ANY KIND!
We HIGHLY recommend using a makeup artist for your photo shoot. Regardless of who does your makeup, here are some tips. Makeup should be a bit heavier than normal for the camera. Mascara should be clean, and contain no clumps. NO “sparkles”. Also avoid makeup with an SPF in it. While it’s great for your skin in the sun, it tends to create a shine in photos that makes your face look sweaty. Below are a few artists we recommend taking a look at:
HAIR
Avoid changing your hairstyle or cutting your hair right before your session. Let it be natural. Quick, easy hairstyle changes are ok during the shoot, but be sure that they actually are quick so you don’t loose camera modeling time. Artificially, bleached hair is often not best; in ten years you might say, “What was I thinking??” Bring your hair care tools and products with you if need be. IT IS ok to show up early in curlers if you need to.
While our photographers will try to help with your look, it is hard to know what your hair is “supposed to look like.” Hairstyle is ultimately your responsibility
SHAVING
Please make sure that you are clean shaven. Retouching stubble costs extra, and does not look as good as a clean shave. Boys, have a goatee that mom hates, but you love? Do your casual shots first with it on, then bring a razor, go to the restroom, and shave it off for the formals. Everyone’s happy that way!
PROPS
Bring them!! Bring props that help define who you are. Some popular choices are: Sports equipment (soccer ball, football, hockey stick, golf club, tennis racquet, hurdle, whatever), sports uniforms, musical instrument (from school tuba to rock guitar), activities (dance leotard, hobbies, you name it), vehicles (for the outdoor locations only, and we suggest more than an hour for the car shoots).
GLASSES
Most glasses glare! Some prescriptions more than others. Your best bet is to check with your optometrist. Most will loan you a set of frames similar to yours for your photo session.
WEATHER FOR OUTDOOR PORTRAITS
Let’s face it, we are at the mercy of the rain if it comes. No worries, we’ll simply reschedule. Clouds, on the other hand, are actually a great help, but falling rain is a problem. If your session is in the morning, we’ll take your home phone number with us, and call you if we need to cancel due to weather – if you don’t hear from us, we are on. If your session is in the afternoon, just call the studio if the weather is questionable.
TANNING/SUNBURNS
Tan lines are not attractive in portraits. (If you do use a professional spray tan, make sure you’ve tried it before the photo shoot). AVOID SUNBURN! Peeling skin and sunburn DO NOT photograph well! A LITTLE TAN, yes, burn, no. Don’t overdo tanning so you don’t look fake-and-bake.
COMPLEXION
Don’t worry about minor break outs as we can retouch blemishes for you.
SCARS & BRACES
Scars are not automatically retouched, but can be removed or softened at your request. There will be a slight charge. Braces? You may request from your Dr to have to the tops taken off for your photo session, Just don’t fight smiling.
FINGER & TOE NAILS
NAILS SHOW!! If they have paint all chipped off, it will show. Casual shots may sometimes be done barefoot, so don’t forget about those toes. Avoid really bright colors. Natural or basic works best. We don’t want to draw attention to neon orange toe nails. And they may look really bad with your next outfit.
PETS
Pets are ok, but only allowed* in the Gold and the Platinum sessions in the outdoor portion. If they are well behaved we can bring them inside the studio. You must have someone bring your pet, and then leave with them after that portion of the session. Or bring a carrier to contain them while you are being photographed without them. Treats are helpful to hold a dog’s attention. **Please contact the studio to discuss the specifics of your ideas.**
FRIENDS & PARENTS
Friends or parents are welcome. They can be a help. We do offer mini sessions to add on to your photo shoot to include a parent or friend for an additional $50 sitting fee. Per school rules, a parent or guardian must accompany all girls.