Clothing

• Bring several changes of clothes. We can help you decide what looks the best and tailor it to the type of sitting you want. Bring more clothing than you think you’ll need.
• Simple clothing works the best. Remember to wear solid color shirts in neutral colors. Busy prints and bright colors take the visual focus off your face. Black or white shirts are always great for simpler elegant poses and black and white prints. For outdoor portraits, blues and earth tones work the best. Try to stay away from red in outdoor shots.
• Remember that darker shades of clothing are more slimming.
• Dress in clothes that flatter you. If you’re subconscious about something, don’t wear clothing that makes it stand out even if that shirt is oh-too-cute.
• Try not to wear V-neck shirts or turtlenecks that are too exaggerated or else they may take the focus from your face.
• Avoid sleeve-less or tank-top shirts. If possible, wear long sleeves since the flesh of your arms may call attention to themselves and take the focus away from your face.
• Guys: Formal pictures look great when you wear a sport coat. Every Grandparent or Parent would love to see their handsome young man in a suit and tie.
• Girls: Bring your prom dress for a fabulous formal!
• Be sure to iron your clothes and bring them on hangers.
• If you’re bringing a prop or pet, try to wear clothes that match the color. Wear the same color shirt as the vehicle you drive or as Rover’s hair.

Hair and Make-up

• Do not do anything drastic with your hair just before or on the day of your session. It’s usually best to get haircuts or color done about 1-2 weeks before your portrait session.
• Wear your normal hairstyle. You want your pictures to look like you.
• If you wear glasses and plan on wearing them in your session, call your optometrist and see about borrowing a set of frames in your style with the lenses removed. They may also be able to remove your lenses for the day free of charge if you give them enough notice.
• If you wear braces, don’t worry about it. They are as much a part of you right now as your hairstyle or clothing style. Smile! If you would like your braces removed, it will cost the same as any other premium editing.
• Girls: Wear make-up like you would if you were going out for the evening. Too little make-up and you will look washed out and pale in your pictures; too much make up and you’ll look painted. Wear foundation and a tiny amount of blush. For lips, use gloss or a light natural-looking color. Mascara is a must as it helps define the eyes and will bring them out in your pictures.
• Bring your make-up with you. Through the course of the session, you may need light touch-ups.
• Guys: Remember to be clean-shaven on the day of your session. If you’re sporting a beard, make sure it is well-trimmed.
• Both guys and girls: Pay special attention to your hands and nails. Remember, details matter. Make sure they are clean and trimmed with your cuticles pushed back and trimmed. Ladies, avoid color that is too vivid or bright.

Other Tips

• Get plenty of sleep the night before your session. Puffy eyes and dark circles are very hard to retouch. You will have the most fun in your session if you are awake and energized.
• Eat a light meal before your session. You don’t want to be hungry and tired during your session. Avoid eating too big a meal though because that tends to make you tired as well.
• Bring Props! Bring anything that you can think of that contributes to who you are as a person. Think of hobbies, sports, instruments you play, the car you drive, your pet, or your letter jacket.
• Bring a friend or parent to ease your jitters. Having someone there can help you relax and create the best poses you can.
• Bring other photos you like that are clipped from magazines, books, catalogues, or web pages. This will help the photographer know what your photographic style is and help her create your personal photographic image.
  

Most Important Tip of All: HAVE FUN!!!