tips

Everyone wants the perfect photo, but photos that truly shine result from a bit of thought and preparation that happens long before you arrive at the session. The tips below come from years of being asked similar questions and through experience in what works best after nearly a decade of taking professional portraits. Please take a few minutes to read through these tips as you prepare for your photo session, so everything goes smoothly and you receive the results you desire.

 Clothing - Arrive in the outfit you plan to wear first. If you are unsure about certain outfits, bring them along and I can take a look. It's always better to have more choices than not enough. Please make sure your additional outfits are ironed and free of stains. Short, tight dresses and skirts will most certainly limit movement. I recommend trying all potential outfits on before you arrive. With each outfit, crouch, sit, raise your arms up - I want you to be able to move freely.

 Girls - it's very important to bring coordinating bras for your different outfits. Don't rely on just one bra for all your outfits if the straps are different. . It can be difficult editing bra straps so please plan your outfits with this in mind. 

 Skin - If you are prone to acne, ramp up your acne treatment a week or so before your scheduled shoot to ensure your skin looks its best. I will edit and smooth out skin but I like to keep people looking as natural as possible. If acne is severe, I may have to contract out the editing and an additional fee will be added.

 Make up - Less is more. I can always enhance a photo but it's hard to remove makeup. For example, if you never wear eye shadow, don't wear it for your session. The goal is to capture you and not a made up version of you. I do not recommend having your makeup professionally done before your shoot. That goes for hair too. Do your hair and makeup as if you were going out with friends. Put less emphasis on those things and more on letting your personality come through. 

Support - Deciding on whether to come alone for your senior shoot or not can be a difficult decision. Some students come alone and others bring their mom (and dad in some cases!) It really depends on your comfort level.  I want you to be comfortable, so you may bring your mom, dad, BFF, family dog - whoever will make you feel at ease works for me.