Tips to have a positive experience during your portrait session
Booking a portrait session is a big investment in yourself, thanks for trusting me to capture your authentic self. Knowing what to expect will help your personality and confidence will shine through. These are general tips so if you have a specific question please ask! Looking forward to our portrait session together.
Its Normal to Feel Nervous
So many people have expressed to me how nervous having their photo taken makes them. I often hear things like “I am so awkward” or “I hate the way I look in photos” and don’t worry I am here to help you. I strive to make the experience positive and fun while getting some great photo. We will listen to your favourite music and you will feel relaxed in no time. A positive mindset can go along way. Try and have an easy going day before your session. Spoil yourself with a nice breakfast or drop the kids off at the grandparents house. Coming into the studio stress free can make the portrait session more enjoyable. Feeling ready and prepared can help ease stress. Reading this blog will help you know how to prepare and what to expect.
Style
When planning the style of your shoot it’s important to consider what you're trying to convey. Colours, lighting, outfits can all influence the overall look of your portrait session. Depending on what you want to use the portraits for there are different creative directions we can go. Are you looking for something relaxed or formal? Warm and welcoming or edgy? Think about this when chatting with your photographer.
Colours
The first thing to consider is what background you would like for your portrait session. There are a range of options from fun colours, to more neutrals. The background colour can have a big impact on the style of your portrait. Is there a brand colour that you love? We can incorporate that into your session. If you go with a coloured background take into consideration colours that play well together. Take into consideration your skin tones or what outfit you might wear. Here is a helpful site.
Wardrobe
The outfit you decide to wear can have a big impact on the style of your portrait session. I think the most important thing is to pick something you feel comfortable and confident in. If your clothing is uncomfortable, you will be too. The clothing you pick for your shoot should reflect your personality as well as the personality of the brand. Think about if you want to wear something more formal like a suit and tie or more casual like a T-shirt or sweater. Bring a few options to have a variety of choices at the studio. Include something neutral like black or white as well as something fun and colourful. Consider what background colour you decided on when selecting your outfit. Make sure your clothing is wrinkle free and in good condition. For jewelry, be intentional with it. You don't want to take away from your expression so something simple is usually better.
Makeup
I highly recommend having a makeup artist as part of your portrait session. Everyday makeup and photoshoot makeup can be slightly different. For portraits you want your personality to be the focus. A makeup artist won't change the way you look, rather enhance your natural beauty. The day before, ensure you exfoliate your skin with a damp washcloth or your favourite gentle exfoliator. This helps to remove excess dead skin cells and provides a smoother, more even base for your makeup to sit on. Make sure you drink plenty of water the night before. This provides your skin with hydration and prevents swelling due to dehydration. Do not wax or thread your eyebrows the day before your session. When waxing or threading, your eyebrows can become irritated and prevent makeup from applying smoothly. Do not try any new products the day before. Trying a new product can be risky for your skin, It is best to stick with your current routine. It is essential to discuss if you have any skin sensitivities and or allergies that the makeup artist should be aware of. Come to the session with a bare, cleansed face with no residual makeup. This ensures that your makeup will look its best and lasts longer on the skin. This also prevents any sensitivity from removing makeup before application. If you decide to do your own makeup make sure to stick with a look you are comfortable with. You want to look like yourself in the portraits. Make sure to blend your foundation to the neck to avoid any makeup line. Avoid using a lot of powder foundation as it can look dry and appear on camera. Bring some extra products with you for touchups during the session.
Hair
You want your business headshot to look like you on a daily basis so I always suggest keeping it very simple and wear it how you normally do. Bring a brush or some hairspray to your session for touch ups. Do not get your haircut the day before portraits! You never know how things may go at the salon. If you get a cut go at least a week before our shoot date to be safe. Working with a hairstylist is a great option. You can book an appointment before you session or I can have someone at the studio for you.
What to Expect During The Session
The first 10-15 minutes is always practice. You are getting comfortable in front of the camera and I am learning your angles and natural behaviours. I start off with minimal guidance and will start giving you posing tips once you begin to feel comfortable. Many times I start off being a bit silly to alleviate nerves. I will ask you questions to get to know you more and take your mind off of the camera. It's completely normal to not know how to pose, one of the biggest tips is to move. You will feel more relaxed if you switch up positions and avoid becoming stiff. Be mindful of your posture, pinching the shoulder blades together slightly is a helpful tip. We will take breaks during the session to show you some photos. Trust the process and the most important part is to let loose and have fun!