In this article I’ll discuss some strategies to prepare for a photoshoot. Using the photo above as a template, we can see just how well some photos can turn out. The model in the shot has an air about her. She is posing, but manages to look natural at the same time. Her jaw is relaxed, creating a softness to her face. Add in lighting, makeup, hair styling and high a quality camera, and it’s not difficult to see how this result was achieved.
Not everyone is professional model, but many of us will go through some type of photoshoot in our life (school photos, wedding pictures). Below I’ll talk about some simple strategies for how to prepare.
- Be well rested and hydrated. Nothing will likely go further to making your photos pop than a good night’s sleep and proper hydration. This can be difficult to achieve, sleeping well isn’t exactly a choice. It’s not recommended to take sleeping medications before a shoot unless absolutely necessary. These affect your body’s natural rhythm and can cause puffiness around the eyes. Eating properly is of course important too, having high energy will only help.
- Don’t forget take care of all hair removal prior to a shoot, but leave a buffer of least 2-3 days between when you wax/shave any sensitive areas and the date of your shoot. This is imperative, as often times skin can become irritated by the hair removal process. Especially important to consider if you don’t normally remove hair from these areas.
- Take care of your nails. Short nails with conservative design (natural looking) are generally a good idea. If you plan on posing barefoot for any reason, be sure your feet and toes are in good condition as well.
- Practice or learn how to smile. May sound a little bit odd but like all things practice makes perfect. Spending a little bit of time in front of the mirror or reading this guide can prove quite useful when forced to smile repetitively on cue.
- If you plan on showing your smile (which you do), be sure that your teeth are ready for the prime-time. If your teeth are discolored in any way, you may want to consider having them professionally cleaned/whitened.
- Reduce stress through preparation. The night before lay out everything you’re going to wear in an orderly fashion. Factor in commute time, time for getting makeup set, and other preparations in general. Knowing where you’re going and having ample time to get there ensures that you arrive in a calm mindset. Being relaxed will go a long way toward the outcome of your photoshoot.
- And finally avoid squinting due to bright lights or sunlight, wearing sunglasses prior to your shoot is not recommended. Also, depending on how they fit, sunglasses can leave impressions on your nose that won’t look great in a photo.
If you want to look like the girl in the photo following these rules will help. Did we miss any preparation tips? Feel free to comment below.
For more information about this Roseville photographer, please visit emiliebphotography.com or call 916.532.1315