Tips on Preparing for Your Portraits

Types of Portraits

In each session I like to do a variety of poses and shots - from timeless elegance to fun and creative in-studio portraits along with nature inspired outdoor portraits (if weather permits). The best way to prepare for this is to bring in a few outfits each type of portrait along with appropriate shoes. Outdoor portrait locations can vary from a grassy hillside, to pavement, to by a rippling stream and many others. This depends on your preference and the age of who is being photographed. I will let you know what locations are available when you arrive for your session.

Clothing Suggestions

It is best to bring in both formal and casual outfits. In general, a formal outfit should not attract attention to itself. Timeless clothing will help your portrait withstand the test of time. The color of the clothing should be toned down without prints and patterns. Dark colors with long sleeves and pants tend to slenderize. Casual outfits may follow these same suggestions or may show off your personality. I prefer to begin sessions with young children in a comfortable familiar outfit. This makes children more at ease and then we can build up to your formal outfits. Eye glasses may or may not be worn. Non-reflective lenses are very helpful, but the best option is frames without lenses if you can obtain them from your eye doctor.

Pregnancy Portrait Suggestions

These portraits are all about capturing the beauty of pregnancy and the miracle of life. I strive to bring out your inner beauty, peace, and confidence. Don’t worry about any stretch marks or blemishes as all portraits will be retouched so that they are minimized or eliminated. The feature of pregnancy portraits is your pregnant belly and your clothing will play a huge part in making that happen. Your belly can be either covered or uncovered, depending on your preference. Here are some clothing suggestions and tips for your pregnancy portraits:

• Avoid any clothing that would leave marks or lines in the skin for a few hours prior to your session
• Panel free pants or jeans that sit below the belly, or pre-pregnant jeans that fit but can’t be buttoned
• Panel free shorts that sit below the belly
• Strapless bra, sports bra
• Tank top, tube top
• Button down white shirt (yours or his) that can be buttoned over bra and unbuttoned over belly
• Form fitting shirt or dress
• Maternity outfit that you love
• Baby booties or a stuffed animal for the baby
• Your children or your significant other. Please plan to coordinate your clothing with the clothing of anyone else in the portraits. All portraits involving your children will be done first. Please plan to bring along another adult who can take the kids to our fully stocked playroom for the rest of the session.

Makeup and Hairstyles

Feel free to bring any makeup and hair styling products to your session. Don't worry about normal blemishes or flaws in your complexion. All finished portraits are retouched to minimize these imperfections.

Props and Accessories

No matter what your age, I love when you bring in props of your favorite things to incorporate into your portraits. For children this may be anything from a favorite toy or stuffed animal, to a favorite hat or sports memorabilia. This definitely helps children feel at ease and bring a smile to their faces. Teens and seniors may want to bring in clothes or items used for their favorite sport, a musical instrument, or even their best friend. However, best of all for both young and old to bring in for your session is your favorite CDs to play while I shoot your studio portraits. Music is both inspiring and relaxing. It will help make you feel at home and at ease. Let your imagination run wild.

Group Portraits

Couples, families or small groups should carefully select clothing to blend bodies together. First, decide whether the basic tone of clothing is going to be warm-toned (earth tones, etc.) or cool-toned (blues/grays/blacks, etc.). Always choose simple garments within the same tonal range or same color. When subjects appear in a mixture of dark and light tones there is visual confusion. When this happens, one person becomes dominant and may appear heavier than in reality. Also it is best if everyone photographed together dresses either casually or dressy.

Other Tips

The day of your child’s session, avoid mood altering foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar, caffeine, and food coloring. Fed children are happy children. If your child follows a nap schedule, please be sure that they get their nap the day of the session. If your child has a cold, fever, or other illness, please reschedule your session giving as much notice as possible. Even remotely sick children never photograph well.