Planning and Preparing for Your Photoshoot (as a Client)

It's essential to plan and prepare for any photoshoot if you want to ensure that you look your best in the pictures. Investing money in a professional photoshoot means making sure no time is wasted during the session so that you can get maximum value out of it.

1.       Consultation with the photographer

Before your photoshoot, discuss with your photographer what will happen during the session such as if there is a specific theme or style you would like captured, along with any outfits or props you plan to bring. You can also ask for suggestions in terms of the location, time and other details related to the shoot. As a photographer, I need to know what my clients are expecting in order to prepare accordingly and ensure that your photos turn out just how you envision them!

2.     Poses 

Unless you're a model or have a natural talent in posing, being in front of the camera can be awkward. To avoid discomfort as much as possible on the day of the shoot, it would be good to practice different poses beforehand. Of course, the photographer will guide you in posing, but it would be nice to be able to do your own poses too, so you don't have to depend on the photographer directing your every move.

Days or weeks before the shoot, you can look for some poses that you like and are comfortable doing. I usually send my clients a Pinterest link to different poses that they can practice doing. Spend a bit of time doing the poses in front of a mirror. It would also be a good idea to take pictures of yourself. Instead of holding your phone to take selfies, I'd recommend putting it on a table and using the timer and burst shots while doing different poses in front of your phone, so your movement is not limited.

3.     Best angles

As you're practicing your poses in front of a mirror or your phone camera, check for your best angles too, if you don't know them already. If you have other concerns about your face or other parts of your body, it might also help to inform your photographer. For example, some people may think that their nose is too long, their forehead is too wide or their arms look big. Personally, I'd like to know this information, so that I can avoid certain positions and angles that will create unflattering images. To be honest, most of the time when people tell me their concerns about a body part that they believe doesn't look good in photos, I often don't even notice them. The thing is when we look at ourselves in photos, we see a lot of little imperfections that are usually not perceivable to others. However, since my clients' satisfaction is more important than what I actually see, I take note of those things to help them look their best in their eyes.

4.     Hair and make-up

Professionally-done hair and make-up makes a huge difference in pictures. If you can afford it, then go for it. If not, you can just do your own. It would be a good idea to take a selfie in a well-lit room before you go out to to see how the final look will come out on camera. Sometimes the foundation looks okay in person but too heavy in photos, especially if there's a big contrast between your face and neck color, so it's important that this is avoided.

Make sure your hair is washed either the day of or the day before your photoshoot. This will ensure that your hair looks light and bouncy in photos, rather than greasy and stuck together. Doing this preparation beforehand can make a big difference to the end result of your photos!

During the photoshoot, you should also check yourself in the mirror regularly to ensure your face is not shiny or oily. The photographer may not always remember to remind you of this, but shine on your face can take a lot of time and effort to remove in post-production. Help the photographer out by avoiding it if possible!

5.    Outfits

Choose outfits that will appear stunning in pictures. Not all clothes that look good in person will be nice in photos. Some clothes can make you lose your shape, look shorter, thinner or heavier, so  if you can, take pictures of yourself wearing those to see how they will look. Dresses that are cinched at the waist always look very flattering if you want your shape to show no matter what your size is. 

Don't forget to accessorize -- hats, scarves, gloves, watches, jewelry, belts can make an otherwise plain outfit look more stylish as long as they are not overly done.

It's also important to consider the location of the shoot. Make sure that your outfit will match the environment and stand out instead of blending into the surroundings. I love vibrant colors when I do outdoor shoots because they look really striking. Conversely, I'm not a big fan of dull colors and certain printed garments that don't stand out in pictures.  

Another essential thing to remember if you're changing outfits is to ensure that they will not get creased in your bag. Creases on clothing are very noticeable in photos, and your photographer won't want you to change into wrinkled clothes because it will take forever to fix them in post-processing.

In addition, check your clothing before leaving the house, especially coats and sweaters, for lint, fuzz, and pet hair. I strongly suggest doing this to save time and avoid having to remove lint during post-processing. Trust me – I've learned from experience!. I have to admit that I've lost a lot of time removing lint in post processing because I had forgotten to remind people to do this.

Lastly, don't forget to wear the best shoes that complement your outfit for the photo shoot. For females, heels can make legs look more shapely in pictures when a theme is not very casual. Flats may not be as flattering in photos even if you don't need to appear taller, so consider carefully if they are really desired at a shoot. You don't have to keep them on when walking around; slip them on just before the photographer takes pictures. I advise my clients to change into more comfortable shoes if we have to walk between spots.

6.     Location

Selecting your location is crucial for a photoshoot. A beautiful location can make your photographs much more memorable. If you don't have a location in mind, the photographer can provide some recommendations as they usually know the best spots in the city/town for a photo session. You should also choose a place that's not too busy. Otherwise, you and the photographer will get a lot of distractions. Worse, you might feel self-conscious in posing if there are a lot of people around watching you. Moreover, unnecessary time will be wasted if there are many passersby and cyclists blocking the way with every shot taken by the photographer having to stop and wait for them to pass. However, if there is a place you really like but it tends to get crowded often then scheduling your shoot when it's least crowded would be ideal.

7.    Time of Day

The best times of the day for an outdoor photoshoot are early in the morning and late in the afternoon or close to sunset because of the lighting. (The photo below was taken during golden hour for dramatic lighting.) However, it's not always possible to do them at these times. You just need to avoid midday as the sun will cast harsh shadows on your face and you may not even be able to keep your eyes open because it will be too bright. But if midday is the only time you have available, then the photographer will have to find shaded areas for you to be during the duration of the shoot. This will, however, limit the places where you can pose for the camera, so it's imperative that you do it when the sun is not too strong or too hot; you won't be sweating unnecessarily.

8.   Accessories, props and toys

Depending on the theme of your shoot, you might need to bring props to make the photos more interesting. For instance, if you have a photoshoot in a field in the summer, it might be a good idea to bring a hat and a bunch of flowers, especially if you don't quite know what to do with your hands. Holding the flowers or the hat while walking or posing in the field will make things easier for you, so you won't have to worry about where to put your hands.

If you have a family photoshoot with children, especially very young ones, it would be beneficial to bring some toys. Not only will the children stay entertained and not get bored quickly, but the photographer can also use these toys to draw their attention so they look at the camera and smile.

About the Author

Elaine Suva is a photographer who specializes in scenic portraits, fashion and dance photos. Email her for inquiries, to schedule a photo shoot consultation or to book a session.