GENERAL TIPS:
ARRIVE EARLY
If you show up late or not ready, you will have less time in the camera room. If you need to get ready at the studio (hair, makeup, etc.), please arrive early enough to be ready by your start time.
CLOTHING
~ Bring a selection of colors, don’t bring 5 purple outfits even if it is your favorite color.
~ Avoid clothing that has wording on it except for your own school logo.
~ Vary the style, all one look can get boring.
~ For girls… vary the dress level, bring some dressy, some medium and some casual.
~ For outdoor sessions, remember there won’t be a fancy place to change. Plan accordingly for changing in the car if needed.
~Feel free to bring a suitcase full of accessories. Jean jackets, other jackets that have style, hats, scarves, jewelry, belts, hair accessories, shoes etc. You can’t bring enough. Sometimes our staff can take your outfits and accessorize them for some extra fun looks.
~ Bring a variety of solid colored clothing as well as some stripes, plaid, and patterns to add variety and layer with. The more variety you bring, the better your images will be. Here is an example of how two different feelings can be portrayed in your outfits. Playful and then a bit more sophisticated.
Some shots are close up, others are full length. Plan outfits completely. It is hard to do a full length formal in your suit if all you brought was big white tennis shoes. Also remember, as a general rule, light clothes look better on lighter backgrounds and darker clothes look better on darker backgrounds. So if you prefer dark, bring dark, if you prefer some of both, bring some of both.
Group your outfits together ON HANGERS. It is amazing how many people come in with clothes stuffed in a plastic bag and wonder why they are wrinkled! Make sure they are ironed. Although we have an iron for touch ups, we don’t want to waste your session time on ironing.
HAIR
Avoid changing your hairstyle or cutting your hair right before your session. Let it be natural. Quick easy hairstyle changes during your session are OK, but make it quick or you loose camera time. 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. Although our photographer tries to help with hair, it is hard to know what your hair “is supposed to look like”, so make sure you like the look or let the photographer know your preferences. You are more than welcome to bring Mom or a friend to help in this area.
JEWELRY
Best tip here is to keep it simple. We want the attention on you. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, you might put each set of jewelry in a plastic baggie and hang it on the hangar with that outfit to help you stay organized and save you time.
PROPS
BRING THEM!! Bring props that help define who you are. Some popular choices are: Sports equipment (soccer ball, football, basketball, baseball, whatever), sports uniforms, music instruments (from school tuba to rock guitar), activities (dance leotard and shoes, swimming, hobbies, you name it!), vehicles and motorcycles can also come to the outdoor session.
GLASSES
Most glasses glare with some prescriptions more than others. Your best bet is to check with your optometrist. Most will “loan” you an empty set of frames similar to yours for your photo session.
SUNBURN/TANNING
AVOID SUNBURN! Sunburn and peeling skin DO NOT photograph well!! Tan, yes, burn, no. If you are a winter or spring session and your tan has faded, you might consider tanning. But don’t overdue it so you look too fake. If you are going to try a sunless tanner, have it done professionally and we recommend trying it at least once a couple weeks before your session to make sure your skin responds with a good color (not orange) to the product. Also, tan lines are not attractive in portraits. We suggest you vary your swimsuit top or use a tanning bed to minimize any tan marks.
COMPLEXION
Make-up does wonders. Yes even for guys. A little touch up on blemishes makes your previews even better. But don’t worry, your package orders can be retouched to perfection.
PETS
Pets are OK as long as they are house broken. It is a good idea to have someone bring a pet, then leave with them after. Or bring a pet carrier to contain them while you are being photographed without them. Treats can be helpful to hold a dog’s attention. If you have a horse, please tell us. We can talk about how we can incorporate this passion into your portraits.
FRIENDS/PARENTS
Friends or parents are welcome. They can be a huge help. You can have a couple of shots with a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend or sibling at no extra charge.
WEATHER
Let’s face it, we are at the mercy of mother nature. If it rains, we’ll have to reschedule. Don’t worry about clouds as they actually help. We can even deal with a light sprinkle with no problem, but actual rain falling IS a problem. We typically do not cancel a session unless it is actually raining at your portrait time due to how fast bad weather can move out of the area. Call us at 214.219.7003 or we will call you if the weather looks bad.
SEASONS
Remember that your pictures can represent any time of the year, so don’t feel like you have to choose styles for the current season. Here are a couple examples of different seasons of outfits.
TATTOOS, SCARS, BRACES AND PIERCINGS
Just let the photographer know if you want tattoos to show or not. It is that easy. Scars are not automatically retouched, but can be removed or softened at your request. Extensive work may have a slight extra charge. Braces? Don’t worry. You can ask your orthodontist to have the tops taken off for your photo session, or we can retouch them out by computer (extra fees may apply). But don’t fight smiling; a braces smile is better than a “holding back a smile” look.
TIPS FOR GIRLS:
CLOTHING STYLES
Be careful of baggy clothes that might make you look larger than you are. Make sure your clothing flatters you. For instance, if you think you have large arms, be careful of sleeveless styles, they can make your arms look fuller.
Wild to mild. We don’t really tell you what you can and cannot wear. The key is to bring a good variety. We photograph everything from prom dresses to swimsuits. What one person likes may not be appropriate for the next person. Our philosophy is “as long as your parent’s approve, we are happy”. However, please keep in mind that your yearbook may have a dress code for submitted photos.
UNDERGARMENTS
It is amazing how many times someone will come in wearing flowered underwear and not realize it is a problem until they go to put on their WHITE PANTS! Or come in wearing a white bra and put on a black sleeveless shirt. Please bring appropriate foundation wear for each outfit. Flesh colored is the best. Also, if you need a strapless bra, bring one. Tucking the straps down usually shows and looks bad with regular clothes. It is not a problem you’re your drape photos. With today’s thin fabrics, carefully select these pieces so you can’t see unsightly lines.
FINGER AND TOENAILS
NAILS SHOW! If they have the paint all chipped off, it will show. Many casual shots are done barefoot; so don’t forget about those toes! Avoid real bright colors. Natural or basic work best. We don’t want to draw attention to your neon orange toenails. And they may look really bad with your next outfit! Keep it simple because in ten years what was in style today may not be then.
MAKEUP
Makeup should only be slightly heavier than normal, more like what you might wear in the evening. Mascara should be clean and contain no clumps. So if your mascara is old and clumpy, replace it first. Shiny lips can make a photograph so please bring your favorite light lip gloss. Chanel #94 is our favorite!
TIPS FOR GUYS:
CLOTHING
Remember, if mom gets her nice shot, she is much cooler on letting you get what you want! Bring the right shoes for the outfits. Docs or sandals photograph much better than big, bright, white tennis shoes. Bring a dark t-shirt to wear under dark shirts. A white t-shirt triangle under a dark shirt sticks out like a sore thumb. so please bring a black or gray undershirt. The white t-shirt is for wearing under light shirts and your tux shirt. Avoid large, bold brand names or words on clothing. Already, a few big names from just a few years ago, you would not be caught dead wearing now. No need to make your portraits advertising billboards for a clothing brand.
SHAVING
Please make sure you are clean-shaven. Retouching stubble costs extra and is still does not look as good as a clean shave. Got a goatee that mom hates, but you love? Do your casual shots first with it on, then bring a razor and go to the restroom and shave it off for mom’s formals. Everyone is happy that way!
HAIR
Be careful of changes right before your session. Bleached hair does not look as good in photographs. It is a short trend and you may find it looking real silly once the trend is gone. Natural or maybe frosted tips are better than the white, totally bleached look. You may not even have that by the end of the year.