Getting ready for your shoot.

So you’ve booked your photo shoot. That’s amazing! So what’s next?

Here are just a few helpful tips for you to get ready for your photography session.

What’s the Vibe?

Ok, so first things first. What kind of style are you looking for with your photo session? Are we doing Spring photos, with bright and vibrant colors? Are we doing Fall photos, with rich, earthy tones? Knowing what style and vibe you’re aiming for is key to determining not only what kind of shoot you’re wanting, but also helps in determining location, date, time, and what sort of special equipment the photographer might need to bring to the shoot.

What Inspires You?

Now that you know the vibe you’re going for, how would you describe what you’re looking for as an end result? One of the best tricks that I’ve learned over the years is to ask yourself, “If there were only one image that I could have from this whole shoot, what would that look like?” What does that perfect image look like to you? Is it something you would have made into a 24”x36” canvas print? Would you send it out as a Christmas card?

Secondly, have something to reference. My favorite go to when looking for inspiration has been and remains building a Pinterest board for either myself or my clients. If there’s an image you’ve found that you just absolutely have to have and I’m capable of capturing it under the conditions we’re working with, I will do everything in my power to ensure we get it. Sometimes it pays off. Sometimes it’s a bust, but we roll with the punches either way. Having a clear idea of the kind of photos you want to have done helps tremendously when it comes to the matter of designing your shoot.

Where Are We?

Indoors with studio lighting or outdoors with natural light? If you have a Pinterest board filled with earthy, natural looking images it doesn’t make much sense to book a well lit, bright interior studio. Can it be done? Sure, but from experience I would always rather try to get images to look as close to the finished product in camera before laying into any heavy handed post-production editing to get it to where your vision rests.

What to Wear?

Style? Check. Inspiration? Check. Location? Check. Now what are we going to wear? It goes without saying that winter parkas at the peak of summer probably aren’t a good idea. The same could be said about darker toned clothing when trying to go for a light and airy look. My advice? Try to match the outfits to the vibe/style you’re aiming for as well as to the location you’re shooting at.

Looking your Best.

As your photographer it’s my job to make you look your best in the final product. Photoshop has come leaps and bounds over the years from it’s initial program design, but there are still a lot of things that can be done leading up to your shoot that will help immensely. Hair and makeup, fresh shave and hair cuts, trim the beards, and so on. Trust me, the little details make the world of difference.

Odds & Ends.

Props, snacks, and beverages always help to boost the mood of the shoot. Having a recently fed and napped newborn will always help to make sure your photographer is getting the best shots from your little one. Likewise with your older little ones. Snacks and drinks on deck will definitely help to make sure they’re willing to cooperate.

Communication.

Last but not least communicate consistently with your photographer, especially if you have questions or concerns. My job as your photographer is to capture the absolute best images for you, and making sure we’re on the same page for your session is among the top items on my priorities list. I want to make sure you not only get some amazing photographs that you will cherish for a lifetime, but that we have fun while doing it.