5 Tips To Prepare For A Professional Photo Shoot
As a Washington D.C. Portrait Photographer, I offer my clients a full-service experience so I have to ensure my clients come prepared for their photoshoot. The photo shoot includes professional hair and makeup, 5 wardrobe changes, and a custom mood board tailored to my creative vision for the session. There’s a ton of prep that goes into every session on my end, but as a client, there are a few things I recommend to prepare for a photo shoot.
1. Prep your skin
The night before your photoshoot, make sure to exfoliate your face to get rid of all of the dead skin and build-up. Most of my sessions come with complimentary makeup application, so exfoliating your face the night before your session helps the makeup absorb into your skin more smoothly.
When exfoliating, you can exfoliate by cleansing the skin using a silicone scrubber like the Lil Scrubbies” (or something similar) like the Foreo Luna. After all that exfoliation, don’t forget to moisturize! Preferably with a moisturizer without SPF. I explain why in this post HERE.
2. Have your outfits ready to go
About 2 weeks before your session, we’ll do a styling consultation where I’ll help you choose your outfits for your photo shoot. At this point, you’ll already know that you’re wearing, but the night before, gather all of your looks in one spot and make sure you have everything you need. This includes, accessories, undergarments, shoes, all the things.
Trust me, it will give you peace of mind knowing that you have this ready to go.
3. Drink plenty of water
Water is your friend. What we put in our body is very important, so make sure to hydrate. Now I don’t think you’ll see a dramatic effect from drinking a bunch of water the day before your shoot, so I recommend taking. your water intake up a notch for about a week prior to your session.
Also, please don’t skip any meals before your session! I know it’s tempting and you’re probably too excited to eat, but food is fuel and you’re going to to need it for your shoot! Please eat!
4. Get some rest
We’ve prepped for weeks, even months ahead of your session and I know you’re super excited to “werk“ the camera! But, please, please get some rest before your session. Trust me, you want to be well-rested so you can fully enjoy experience!
5. Make sure your nails are neat
To polish or not to polish, that is the question. As long as your nails are chipped, it’s your prerogative. Make sure to schedule your manicures and pedicures at least a few days before your session. When choosing a polish keep in mind the outfits that you’ll be wearing and make sure your nails match and aren’t distracting. When in doubt, neutral is best.
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That’s right, I’m a Washington D.C. Portrait photographer but I travel anywhere. Come visit me in the studio, or let’s plan your photoshoot at another destination. Fill out the contact form to book your luxury portrait experience!
Special thanks to Jordan from Faces by Jordan and I Do Artistry for providing her skincare expertise for this post. She also did the makeup for the stunning photos above.
