If you’ve got a photo session coming up, don’t stress! Inside this blog you will find my top tips for preparing for your session in order to make sure that you are ready to go and don’t leave anything behind that you might need! This information is useful for almost any kind of session – from families to seniors!
Let’s get started!
Pre-Session Prep for Success
Get Your Hair Done the Week Before
This goes for both guys and girls. Try to schedule your hair appointment for a week before your session! This will give any color time to soften just enough and for the guys – cuts won’t look overly fresh. Also – don’t make any drastic changes in cut/color right before your session!
Be Careful With Your Tan
Every photographer out there will agree with this! Trust me, we get it. You want to look tan for your photos, but the camera can really bring out the orange in a super-fresh spray tan. If you decide you still want to get a spray tan, please get it early in the week! Never come to your session with a fresh tan – it will photograph orange! Same goes for the sun – try not to get a fresh sun burn right before your photos. And don’t worry about small tan lines (like on your shoulders) – those can be pretty easily toned down in post processing.
Ladies, Clean Your Jewelry!
Make sure that ring sparkles, and any additional jewelry you plan to wear at your session! This is especially important if you are coming for an engagement session where your ring will be the center focus on some shots!
Get Outfits Ready the Weekend Before Your Session
One of the most important tips for an easy getting ready process the day of is to get your outfits ready the weekend before your session! Get everything ready to go and put it all on one place. That way on the day of your session all you have to do it grab it and put it on – because let’s be honest, you probably won’t have a lot of extra time to make decisions! This is especially helpful for families with young kids – we all know something will go perfectly wrong when you’re trying to wrangle everyone out the door!
Day of Your Photo Session
Plan to Leave 15 Minutes Early
If you need to leave at 6 to be to your session on time, leave at 5:45! Always add a 15 minute buffer in because traffic is unpredictable and even showing up 10 minutes late can really mess with the outcome of your session! Almost all sessions take place within an hour of sunset, so arriving on time ensures you’ll get the most of that golden hour light!
Pack the Kids Snacks!
Bribery is 100% allowed and encouraged at sessions! Pack the kid’s favorite snacks so when they start to get fussy we can take a quick snack break, or reward them for good behavior as we move onto the next location! This can even go beyond snacks to include other items – their favorite blanket or lovey or even their favorite song.
Bring a Back-Up Outfit
Let’s be honest, ANYTHING can happen! Someone can fall, spill juice, get splashed with mud, rip their clothes – trust me, I have seen it all! It is never a bad idea to have a back-up outfit in case of an emergency! Though most issues we can solve with a little photoshop magic, I still recommend being on the safe side!
Pack Some Flats
Ladies, if our session includes a little bit of walking I encourage you to pack some comfy shoes! Many of the best shooting locations aren’t on flat, even ground, so having some shoes you can slip on as we move between locations can really help save your feet!
Bring Touch-Up Makeup
Don’t forget to bring the extra makeup for touch-ups along the way! – Also, be sure to use a great setting spray so you won’t have to do any major touch-ups! Additionally, bring a hair brush and any other useful items!
Pack Drinks!
This is especially important if your session will take place in the summer! Be sure to pack water for the session. You can even bring a small cooler so there is an ice-cold drink waiting in the car for you once you are done!
Bundle Up if it’s Chilly!
Bring a blanket or coats for little ones in between shots. These won’t be appearing in the photos, so preferably something that is easy to get in and out of as needed. Additionally, if it’s going to be cold outside, add some additional layers underneath outfits.
Don’t Worry About the Rest
I have you covered. I typically bring a few necessities along as well, including bug spray, blankets, chair/stool, tissues, towels, wet wipes, and more to help make sure that things go smoothly.
Still, trying to decide on your outfits? No worries! Check out my Pinterest Inspiration Board!
