Portrait Photo Session Checklist

How To Get Ready For Your Portrait or Senior Photo Session

Here is a perfect list of what to check when getting ready for your portrait session. Includes information about wardrobe ideas, hair and make-up tips and tricks, and posing ideas for your fun day with your photographer.

Wardrobe

• Keep jewelry to a minimum. Watches that are large and bulky can be very distracting.
• Wear solid colors and outfits that fit well. Nothing detracts from a subject’s face more than clothes with busy patterns and prints.
• Hats can change the look of a subject’s portrait too. Look for fun and interesting hats to have.
• Wear comfortable shoes, even if they aren’t in the shot.
• Be careful about undergarments. Editing out bra straps or panty lines is difficult and time-consuming. Choose clothes that properly cover your undergarments, in all types of movement scenarios.
• Be prepared for inclement weather if shooting outside.



Hair & Makeup

• Cut back on any sunbathing to avoid skin problems such as peeling.
• To provide a variety of images, feel free to change your hairstyles as you change your wardrobe. Try hair up, down, or pulled back.
• Be sure the makeup and style match your wardrobe. Casual jeans and t-shirt shots would need bare makeup while an elegant dress may require more blush, lipstick and eye shadow.
• Bring any personal items you might want for touching up, such as lipstick or a hairbrush.
• Start with a simple/natural look and then move to dramatic because applying more makeup is easier than taking it off.
• Make hair, nail, and/or makeup appointments for before your session. Make sure your roots are touched up and you aren’t wearing chipped nail polish to your session.

How to Pose During Your Photo Session

• Find inspiration. Search online and keep a reference file of shots you like. Shooting only one expression will result in a boring, monotonous set of images.
• No need to ‘Cheese’! I’m looking for natural expressions and un-posed moments.
• Relax, slow down, and don’t force anything. Don’t feel pressured to make everything perfect. When in doubt, just smile.
• Expect me to guide you around a little bit to different spots to capture images. The more variety we get, the better your selection. Let's have fun!