ExposedLife

I always get asked one particular question when scheduling a session.. “What can I do to make sure we take good pictures”? So I thought I would list a few tips to help you be more comfortable, look great and be less stressed when arriving to your session.

Children Session Tips:

Before scheduling a session with the kiddos, consider scheduling it for the morning or right after they’ve had a nap. Children are typically easier to work with when they are well rested and happy.

Also, it’s best to avoid foods with bright coloring or tints (squash, carrots, Ko0l-Aid..ect) 24 hours prior to your session. These can leave the skin around the mouth and nose stained and is evident in photos. Babies and children love to snack on finger foods. Feel free to bring dry cereal or like items to the session. These little snacks can entertain and comfort baby resulting in a more relaxed and happy experience. (This goes for adults too!)

Special Occasions Tips:

For special occasions, please feel free to bring items that can be used for props. Birthday balloons and a small cake can be used in the last few frames to celebrate a birthday, just like a cap and gown would be great for showing a graduation. Special toy or family heirlooms are welcome too. Please feel free to contact me with special requests so I can ensure your request can be accommodated.

Clothing Tips:

I want to make your experience as comfortable as possible. These are your moments I am capturing, so I want to do everything I can to make them just right. When choosing outfits for your photo session, it is best to choose clothing without patterns and bright colors. You should stand out, not your clothing.

Short sleeves and shorts, should be avoided as well. The exposure of arms and legs in a photo can be a distraction away from your face. Plus, turtle necks and V-necks tend to slim you down and they frame your face beautifully.. wink wink.

Try to wear darker colors below the waistline than above. This will draw the attention to your upper body and not highlight lower areas.

I know trying to find the right outfit can be as hard as getting a PHD in Astronomical Physics, so feel free to bring a few outfits with you and we can see which outfit will be the best one for the photo.

Finally, make sure you do a quick inspection of your clothing prior to the session. If there are any visible stains, tears, or marks on your clothing it may be evident in the finished photo product.

Makeup Tips:

Makeup tends to show up well in photos, so less is definitely better. Nobody wants their pretty eyelashes to look like wooly tarantula legs.

Best Tips of all:

Avoid salty foods for a couple of days before your session so you don’t look bloated or puffy in your photos.

Waiting a week after dying your hair or spraying on a tan, will help you look like you don’t need to do any primping to look that good.

Schedule your session on a day that you have nothing to do. This will help you relax and not worry about the time.

Be yourself! I always try my hardest to make my clients feel comfortable, happy and stunning, but emotions always win in the final photo. I’ve even learned how to be a phototaker ninja, but the emotions still win. So don’t worry about speaking your mind. If you’re not comfortable in a pose, no photographer will make you stay in it.. well at least they shouldn’t. If they do, you should of gone with me!

As always, please feel free to ask any questions.

Amanda