Preparing for Your Shoot

Things to consider before your photo shoot:

Wether you are a model, or just someone wanting to have nice photographs taken, the following guidelines and suggestions can help you get the most out of each photo session:

Never lose sight of the fact that photography is about getting that one 'perfect shot'. You have a very limited time to bring it all together. And, it takes coordination, talent, and perhaps most importantly, preparation, to make it all happen.

If you are paying for your photo session or if you are a model getting paid for the photo session, the goal is the same. Don't compromise your efforts by arriving for your shoot without understanding what you can do prepare yourself. [Models, professional comp cards and portfolio will increase the likelihood of you securing assignments! So a little effort up front can yield exponential rewards.]

You should always come to your shoot with the intention of portraying yourself in the best possible form. [If you are a model, remember that there are always more models than jobs so you should always strive to look and act your most professional.]

To maximize results and ensure that your images are the best they can be, it's often a good idea to make arrangements to have a professional stylist, image consultant or cosmetician apply your makeup for you if you are the least bit uncertain on how to do this yourself! If you need help with your hair, have it done at a salon before your shoot, or better still, make arrangements to have a hair stylist available during your shoot.

Grooming is always essential. Hair, makeup, blemishes, nails, body hair, tattoos, scars, skin imperfections, etc. should not be taken for granted. Pay attention to these areas and make sure your photographer is aware of things such as piercings, tattoos and skin imperfections.

[There are a number of great products that conceal skin conditions. Dermablend is an industry favorite and is available in a number of shades to match most skin tones and will conceal trouble areas such as stretch marks, scars, blemishes and even tattoos]. Models, don't risk being turned away for a project because of a skin condition that can be easily rectified without having to resort to expensive graphic design procedures to retouch photographs!

Clothing: (back to top)

Avoid wearing tight clothing before your shoot. Tight elastic and closures will crease your skin and take several hours to smooth back out. Retouching these kinds of imperfections adds to the overall cost of the project and can easily be avoided.

If you bring your own clothing, bring a variety of clothing to the shoots to reflect as much diversity as you can.

Clothing should not be folded but hung in garment bags or dry cleaning bags to avoid wrinkles.

Stay away from clothing that depicts commercial brand names.

Darker, but not black, clothing often photographs better and complements black and white photography. Avoid lavish designs, floral patterns and stripes unless you are after an ecclictic or wild look. Stay away from all white clothing, unless you are specifially going for a 'high key' effect.

Also, avoid wearing white with black--for example, a white shirt under a black jacket--as this complicates lighting by several degrees and makes it especially difficult to capture both the black details without blowing out the light details. However, if you are after a stark and slightly 'blown out' look you can mix contrast extremes, just make sure you've discussed this with your photographer beforehand.

Stick with the bright colours if the shoot is outdoors. Materials with lots of texture, like weaves and knits, add dimensionalilty to photos. Texture is a great way to insure that images look good both in color, and black and white.

Women should avoid sleeveless clothing since the camera tends to add weight, your bare arms will look heavier than they actually are. Also, be aware that exposing tan lines to the camera will make more work for the person retouching your photos, which will translate into higher costs for you. The best bet is clothing with sleeves, which exposes skin that is the same color.

Eye Glasses: (back to top)

Eye Glasses can present reflection problems, especially in the studio. Tinted lenses, even those that "lighten" indoors, are especially troublesome - they will always look darker in photos. We strongly suggest that you bring a set of empty frames in the style of your choice. Most optometrists will make frames available to you at no charge, or a minimal fully-refundable deposit. You'll get the widest variety of lighting possibities if your glasses don't have lenses in them! And, pershaps most importantly, you'll save money on retouching services.

Body Hair: (back to top)

If you need to remove body hair before your shoot, refrain from experimenting with any hair removal methods that you haven't already attempted in the past! You don't want to go to your shoot with skin irritations and rashes. As a general rule, waxing, depilatory creams and/or shaving should be considered as fine hairs show in photographs and if excessive, can increase the cost of the session by requiring lots of time spent in touch ups.

Nails: (back to top)

Males should always arrive at a photo shoot with nails clean and trimmed. Females may wish to consider using artificial nails. If in doubt, contact your photographer to request their input in this area.

Make-up: (back to top)

If you are certain that make-up will not be applied for you at the photo shoot make sure that you bring everything that you will require to touch up the make-up and/or change shades and colours if requested.

If you are planning a longer shoot and trying to get a variety of looks photographed in one session, it's often a good idea to start the shoot with a natural make-up base using light tones and soft shades. It's always easier to apply more make-up and darker colors than it is to remove them! Sessions that progress from casual to elegant, light to dark, and simple to complex always work best.

The Night Before: (back to top)

Arriving with blood shot eyes encircled with dark bruises and bags should be avoided! Get sleep before your photo shoot, and refrain from partying, alcohol, or any other activity which can keep you from feeling fresh and rested.

Weeks Before: (back to top)

Drink plenty of water! We can't stress enough how important maintaining the proper fluid level in your body is. Dehydration is the number one cause of tired, sallow and generally unhealthy looking skin! More information about dehydration effects on your skin can be found here.

If you are prone to blemishes, start a regime of nightly exfoliation, and blemish cream followed by moisturiser application. While you can apply cover up the day of your shoot, it's always better to have clear skin to begin with.

Tanning: (back to top)

Some people think that being tanned makes them look healthier, but the reality is that UV rays and the sun can damage skin and give it a leathery look. There is nothing attractive about skin cancer, or skin that looks like an alligator!! If you really think you look better with a tan, consider having one sprayed on the days of your shoots, or use moisturizers with skin bronzing. Remember, it's always easier to apply darker makeup than it is to lighten!!

Cigarettes: (back to top)

Finally, if you smoke, consider quitting. Cigarettes really mess you up, and the signs show up quickly in your skin.

Models: (back to top)

Some things that models, in particular, need to consider:

Strange Requests:

Some photo shoots may have unusual twists that you should be aware of in advance so that provisions can be made if necessary. For example, if you'll be performing a variety of shots in conditions that may pose conflicts such as allergies, heights, outdoor conditions, etc. that could cause concerns, this should be communicated to the photographer. Not much point going to a photo shoot that you'll have to be turned away from because of a specific conflict.

Conflicts:

Your agent or photographer should be aware of your past work history so that you are not being submitted for work that will pose a conflict with the hiring company. Conflicts should be communicated to you before the job is booked and you must convey the fact that you have a similar project or conflict in existence.

Reliability:

Your relationship with photographers and your agent can be easily compromised if you're not punctual or prepared. Do your homework!! Know how to get to your jobs. Always have a map of the area handy, if you're unfamiliar with where you will be shooting. Remember, photographers will often rent equipment, studios and hire assistance based on a specific schedule so models who show up late, or worse, don't show up at all, can be assured that they'll never get a job again working for that photographer or client! Driving up the costs because you are late is a sure way to be blacklisted. Always conduct yourself as a professional, which means being polite, prompt, and humble.

Let your photographs speak for you, not your attitude!

In Conclusion: (back to top)

Preparation and diligence are definitely rewarded with photos that show you in your best possible form.