How to prep for a photoshoot

Hello boss babe,  February is here, 11 more months of 2020 to go. WOW! time flies. How is your New Year’s resolution going? Most of us when we think NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION we’re thinking NEW ME. We want to change how we look or change some bad Habits we have learned over the years. For me when I think of the new me, I’m thinking of portraitures. (ok maybe just me LOL). If you have Portraiture or headshots on your list, this is the perfect time of the year to do this. Having a professional photo that tells your story, can take your online presence to the next level. The pictures can be for websites, rebranding, social media or even dating sites……

So now that you have booked your photo shoot, what’s next? this is the part a lot of people don’t Know. How to prep for your photoshoot. I’m here to spill the beans and if you’re interested keep reading.

Photoshoot Preparation Checklist

Just like in everything in life, preparation is the key. This also includes your photo session. I have been doing photography for about five years now, and I have learned many lessons in my first year. Not having my clients prepared for a shoot actually cost me a lot of time editing things that could’ve been avoided. Now when someone books me, during the consultation I will tell them how to prep for their upcoming shoot and also email them a prep list.

Skin and Face

Healthy and even skin, it all starts by having enough sleep.  Being sleep deprived can lead to unhealthy and unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. Avoid going out a.k.a. partying and drinking the night before your shoot. This may cause some red spots on their faces, and also may make you look tired. You should have rested eyes, with alcohol your eyes get shiny and blood vessels are more prominent. Having enough sleep and no alcohol in your system can help diminish the under-eye bags.

Facial and Exfoliate

If you have room for a facial, I recommend you get it. Leave it to the professionals, they are the best people to help you get your skin ready for your shoot. But I would recommend that you do this a week before your shoot. So you can have enough time to get rid of any redness that may occur during your facial treatment.

The next two things I’m going to mention, it’s not just for your photoshoot. It should be something that is part of your beauty routine. You should exfoliate at least 2 to 3 times a week. Doing this, you’re removing any dead skin cells that are on the top layer of your skin. Your skin will look smooth and makeup will look flawless.

Moisturizing is one of the things that you should not be skipping. You need to hydrate your skin every day. If you’re reading this and not moisturizing. You need to find a moisturizer that works best for your skin. Moisturizer is a great way to boost your skin hydration and to ensure your skin glows on camera. One of the things that I tell all my clients is, don’t try to experiment on your face a week or two before a big event (photoshoot). Because you don’t know how your skin is going to react to it. If you’re going to try something new, do this weeks in advance. At least if your skin reacts to it, you have time to heal.

Smooth Lips

You don’t have to go over the top to get smooth lips. The basic you can do is a lip balm, and drink enough water. Don’t lick your lips as frequently, and exfoliate.

The hardest thing to do in post-production (Photoshop) is trying to fix dry, cracked lips, sometimes the photographer cannot do anything to make them look better. it’s your job to make sure you prep before you step in the studio. If you don’t know this, here’s one tip. Not all photographers will go out of their way to fix your photos in photoshop. They may just do color correction and, if you want them to do extra things like fixing your lips or anything else, it may cost you extra.

Eyebrows

Make sure your eyebrows are waxed or threaded a day or two before your shoot. They say eyebrows shape your face and that’s so true. I’ve done many bridal makeup sessions. The ones that have their eyebrows shaped are the happiest with their makeup application because everything just falls perfectly in place.
 

tips # 1 tip. Not all photographers will go out of the way to fix your photos in photoshop

Sparkling white teeth

Unfortunately, as we get older it seems like our teeth are getting more yellow. Also, it doesn’t help that some of us are coffee drinking, tea and/or smoking. This also increases your chances of your teeth becoming more yellow. So your photo shoot is around the corner, what is a girl do? One thing you can do is buy some white strips to whiten your teeth. Find something that is safe for your teeth. The other option is going to your dentist.

Waxing/ Shaving/ tanning

If you want to go and get a tan, its ok, but if you’re going to use a spray tan. Make sure it’s something that you have tried a couple of times before and it works. I have had clients spray tan the night before her wedding and it was a nightmare. My poor bride was crying the whole time when we were doing her makeup. There was nothing we could do to help her. She was orange. If a big event is coming up a.k.a. photoshoot or a wedding or anything that you need to look your best, please don’t spray tan that night. Just because it worked for your friend, it does not mean your skin is going to react the same way as her/his.

Make sure you tan evenly.

 If you’re going to wax, do it a couple of days before the shoot, this way you’re giving your self-time to heal. If you’re going to go with the shaving route, it’s ok to shave the night before a shoot.

The honest truth is body hair is the hardest to edit. So make sure you get rid of upper lip hair (people forget about that), armpit hair, your legs, last but not least arm hair. Some people may have really dark and long arm hair.

Hair

Root Touch up and Hair cut

As you’re preparing for your photoshoot. Getting a haircut it’s a good start. Like I’ve said many times before, this is not the time to experiment with a crazy hairstyle. Talk to your hairdresser and find what hairstyle best fits your features. If you opt-out for a new haircut. Perhaps a trim. This is the perfect way to keep everything in place.

Like many of us, you may want to get rid of your gray hair. Get a touch-up and get rid of those gray. Unless that’s the look you’re going for.

Get deep hair Conditioning treatment.

Since you’re getting your skin ready for this shoot, you might as well go all in and get your hair deep conditioned. This will make your hair feel and look healthy, strong and amazing not only on camera.

Hands

Add a pedicure to your list. Most of the time when you’re being photographed, the little details that may not seem little, are not so little when the photo is right in front of your face. That includes your hands. Many times when you’re posing you use your hands to frame your face for close-up shots. or to hold your waste. You want all the detail to look perfect as well. If you’re a minimalist, go for a neatly shaped nail with clear nail polish, or a neutral color. If you’re going to go for bold nail color, make sure the colors will complement the outfits that you’ll be bringing to the shoot.

Don’t forget your wedding ring or any accessories that you’ll be bringing with you to the shoot. Make sure your rings/accessories are shiny as the day it was given to you or the day you bought it. One of the things that I do every single time I go to the mall, is get my wedding ring cleaned. It’s free, so why not get them cleaned the day before the shoot.

Makeup and Hairstylist

Last but not least. If your makeup skills are not the greatest, hire a professional makeup artist that will make you look like the stars. On that note I’ll also say, do a makeup trial run with the makeup artist. You do not want to have someone do your makeup on the day of the shoot and you’re not happy with it.

That’s it for the list. Remember just relax on your photoshoot and have fun, that’s the most important thing. Just be you.

Rachel