Preparation
Grooming and Styling
Hair
If you plan to have a haircut before your shoot, schedule it approximately two weeks in advance to allow time for adjustments, should the result not meet your expectations. For outdoor sessions, be prepared to style your hair being mindful of possible of windy conditions. Consider bringing bobby pins, hair clips, headbands, or your favorite accessories to ensure a polished and versatile look.
Red Eyes
Red eyes can diminish the refined quality of your photos. To ensure a fresh and vibrant appearance, it’s wise to avoid factors that may contribute to them, such as overindulging in alcohol the evening before your shoot.
Ironing
Press your garments the evening prior and hang them carefully to maintain their pristine condition. For outfits prone to wrinkling, consider changing at the photoshoot location rather than in transit.
Undergarments
Visible bra straps can detract from the elegance of your ensemble. Ensure you bring a selection of bras and strap-adjusting accessories that complement each outfit, allowing for a seamless, polished appearance.
Shoes
Ladies, opt for timeless style with heels or wedges to elevate your look. Gentlemen, ensure your footwear is polished and presentable—dress shoes are ideal, though boots bring a touch of Texan charm. When in doubt, trust the discerning eye of your mother or spouse for the perfect choice.
Glasses
If your signature look includes glasses, you’ll want to incorporate them into your photoshoot. However, glare from the lenses can obscure your eyes and detract from the final result. To avoid this, consider having the lenses temporarily removed from your frames—a common Hollywood technique to eliminate glare—or consult your optometrist about borrowing a similar pair of frames. Alternatively, you can purchase an affordable duplicate pair from an online retailer like Zenni Optical to achieve the desired look seamlessly.
Lips
Throughout your shoot, you may find yourself needing to touch up your lips. Bring along your preferred lip gloss or lipstick, and keep them moisturized in the days leading up to your session, as dry or chapped lips can be distracting in photos.
Teeth
For a brighter smile, begin your teeth-whitening treatments at least two weeks prior to your photoshoot to achieve the most radiant results.
Breakouts
To minimize blemishes, start using African Black Soap a week before your shoot. Equally important is to avoid over-applying makeup in an attempt to conceal imperfections—it’s often easier to retouch pimples in post-production than to correct heavy makeup. For fever blisters, take preventive measures, and if one does appear, treat it promptly with Abreva.
Make-up
A subtle application of makeup can beautifully enhance your skin and accentuate your features. However, ensure the makeup is expertly applied and matches your skin tone; otherwise, your face may appear unnaturally pale or orange in comparison to your body.
Facial Hair
Gentlemen, prepare by shaving with a fresh razor, shaving cream, and a moisturizing aftershave to prevent irritation and redness. Be sure to trim your beard, sideburns, mustache, or goatee, paying attention to stray hairs. Ladies, even light facial hair around the lip or chin should be addressed with waxing before the shoot, as even the faintest traces will be noticeable in photos. Both men and women should also tidy up their eyebrows.
Moisturizer
Dry skin can detract from an otherwise flawless photoshoot. Begin moisturizing nightly at least a week prior to your session. After showering, while still slightly damp, apply moisturizer generously to your arms, shoulders, neck, face, hands, and any other exposed areas. If you’ll be wearing shorts or a skirt, don’t forget your legs. For extra care, use a sugar scrub to exfoliate dry skin, particularly around your nose. Use a lightweight facial moisturizer on your face, avoiding heavy body lotions that could cause breakouts.
Bloating
Ladies, to avoid discomfort and maintain confidence during your photoshoot, steer clear of high-salt and high-fat foods for two to three days prior to your session. Bloating can negatively affect your posture and comfort in front of the camera.
Sunburns and Tan Lines
If your shoot is scheduled for Saturday, avoid spending time at the beach the day before. Should you plan to tan beforehand, do so at least a week in advance to avoid sunburn. Pay special attention to tan lines caused by clothing, sunglasses, and hats, as these can be difficult to correct in post-production.
Maternity Shoots
Body
Ensure your skin is soft and glowing by moisturizing your belly, enhancing its natural beauty for the shoot.
Props
Curate meaningful props to personalize your session—whether it’s an ultrasound printout, alphabet blocks spelling your baby’s name, baby shoes, stuffed animals, flowers, or other cherished items you’ve seen in maternity photography.
Wardrobe
Choose attire that makes you feel both comfortable and beautiful. Long, flowing skirts in solid colors are particularly elegant, as are strapless bras that complement them. A form-fitting tube dress is perfect for accentuating your shape, while a pair of regular jeans (avoiding belly panel styles) offers a more casual look. A button-up shirt provides an easy transition for revealing your belly when desired.
Nude/Semi-Nude
For semi-nude or implied nude photos, avoid tight-fitting undergarments that may leave noticeable lines on your skin. Opt for loose, comfortable clothing for the initial shots, adding undergarments only when necessary later in the session.
Significant Others
Invite your significant other to join the shoot— their presence not only enhances the emotional depth of the photos but also allows for a wider variety of shots. They should bring outfits that coordinate with yours, such as a dark long-sleeved shirt or sweater paired with dark pants. While their inclusion adds variety, the focus will remain on you—your expressions, emotions, personality, joy, and the connection you share.
Newborns and Babies
Clean Faces
Gently cleanse your baby’s delicate skin with a soft washcloth, removing any dry flakes or sleep remnants around the eyes for a fresh and natural look.
Fingernails
Carefully trim your baby’s fingernails and toenails with appropriate baby-safe trimmers to ensure their hands and feet are neat and tidy.
Scheduling Around Your Baby
Plan your photoshoot to align with your baby’s natural feeding and nap schedule. The ideal time to capture serene moments is just as your baby settles down for a nap. If your baby typically falls asleep after feeding, consider waiting to feed them until you’re at the shoot. Professional baby photographers allow ample time to accommodate these needs and create the perfect environment for beautiful photos.
Diapers
For a polished look, dress your baby in stylish cloth diapers, or, if you prefer disposables, opt for bloomers or decorative diaper covers in solid colors.
Wardrobe
For newborns, simplicity is key—nothing fits quite right at this stage, and many outfits can overwhelm their tiny frame. Instead, focus on accessories like delicate hats, charming headbands, or crochet pieces for boys. Bring sentimental items such as a quilt made by Grandma or a cherished baby blanket from your own childhood—these add warmth and personal meaning to the session.
Pacifiers and Bottles
If your baby uses a pacifier, be sure to bring it along. If your baby is bottle-fed, pack an extra bottle to help soothe and settle them into a peaceful sleep for the perfect shot.
Children
Clean Faces
Freshness is key—ensure nails, hair, and feet are clean, and gently remove any sleep remnants, such as eye boogers or snotty noses. Sandals on children can leave their feet dirty, so a quick wipe is essential. A fresh scrub for their teeth will also ensure their smile is radiant. The cleaner your child, the more polished and captivating their photos will be.
Diapers
For little ones still in diapers or pull-ups, be sure to tuck them discreetly or dress them in charming bloomers to maintain a refined look.
Naptime
If your child is of napping age, ensure they have rested before the shoot. A well-rested child will be more alert, happy, and cooperative during the session.
Extra Help
It’s perfectly acceptable to bring along small incentives to encourage good behavior. Children often rise to the occasion of being the center of attention, sometimes in the most unpredictable ways. A small treat, such as cereal, Smarties, or another candy that won't stain, can help keep spirits high and the photoshoot flowing smoothly.
Foods to Avoid
Refrain from giving your child colorful drinks or lollipops within 24 hours of the shoot, and avoid any food or drink that could stain their faces, teeth, or clothing. This ensures your child’s natural radiance is the focal point of each shot.
Wardrobe
For girls, delicate dresses, rompers, and dainty hats or headbands are always lovely choices. Boys look especially charming in jeans paired with polos or button-up shirts, and T-shirts layered with a button-up also create a classic look. For the right age and personality, overalls can be a perfect touch. When dressing siblings, perfect coordination is unnecessary—simple harmony is key. Opt for dark, rich monotones to keep the focus on your child’s expressive face rather than loud patterns or vibrant colors. If in doubt, choose a color that complements your child’s eye color for a truly captivating portrait.
Families
Dad
Have a fresh shave or trim, and use a new razor with shaving cream and a moisturizing after-shave lotion to limit bumps and redness. Make sure nails are clean and trimmed. Wash your hands. Clean up your shoes. Moisturize and scrub away flaky facial skin (see above for general advice). When you wash your face, watch eye boogers and sleep crusties. For wardrobe, go for jeans or pants, tucked polo or dress shirt with a belt, or go casual with just a T-shirt or untucked polo, button-up short sleeve, etc. In general, whatever your wife tells you to wear. Again, you don’t have to match the rest of the family perfectly; just wear something that coordinates.
Mom
Women know what to wear, but in general, unless you are extremely thin, you may want to wear something that covers your upper arms. Long—or 3/4-sleeve tops are very flattering. If you wear jewelry, aim for subtlety and be aware of it twisting or turning.
Kids
Follow the same advice as above, but again, everything needn’t match. Simply coordinate with the parents’ outfits. If Dad’s in a T-shirt, don’t put the kids in dress shirts—make it make sense.
High School Seniors
A Polished Look
To achieve a refined appearance, focus on achieving an even tan while avoiding sunburn. Ensure your nails are clean and freshly painted, and take time to moisturize and exfoliate any dry skin, leaving you with a smooth, radiant complexion.
Wardrobe
Bring an array of outfits to showcase different aspects of your personality—your cap and gown for tradition, a casual outfit for comfort, and a stylish ensemble for flair. Ladies, consider adding a dress to surprise with a touch of elegance, while gentlemen may want to experiment with a formal look to leave a lasting impression. While it's important to wear what you feel most confident in, don’t hesitate to step outside your usual style to create a memorable and fresh look.
Props
Select props that reflect your high school journey and personal interests—whether it’s a band instrument, sports equipment like a volleyball or baseball bat, your treasured (or troublesome) high school car, a letter jacket, or a stylish pair of sunglasses. Above all, let your unique style shine through, making your senior photo a true reflection of your individuality and the moments that define your high school experience.