7 Tips for preparing for a photo session

My 7 tips for preparing for your next portrait or headshot photography session can help you not only achieve the results YOU want from your session but also experience a calming, easy, even fun experience in the process.

1. Coordinating Photo Concepts

In advance, talk over your photo concepts with the photographer, so you are both heading in the same direction during the session. I suggest using a Pinterest board (or another visual discovery platform, vision board) to collect examples you like to share concepts. 

2. Setting Location(s) in Advance

The location is important, because it brings context to your portrait. MixMuse does not use an indoor portrait studio but shoots portraits in natural light as much as possible, even when indoors. Want to be on the beach or in the mountains? Does an urban setting sound like your style or a wide pasture? Want graffiti in the shot? Favorite park in Seattle?  With the photographer, set a backup plan. 

3. Shaving and Skin Treatments

Shave facial hair the night before the photo session to reduces the appearance of any redness from irritated skin. This advice goes for any facial treatments, such as facials.  

4. Bringing What You Need

Bring what will make you happy and comfortable during your session. This may be:  snacks, water, comfortable shoes, jacket/sweater/hat, mirror, hair ties, clothes pins, safety pins, hairspray, towel, tissues, make-up, lipstick, chapstick, comb/brush, lint brush,  and whatever else you need/want. Bring props if you want them in your portrait. 

5. Eat, Drink, Rest

Eat before your session, drink water, and sleep well. Doing so will help you to feel comfortable, at ease, and happy. Our moods are affected by the absence of any of these (and more). Photo sessions are fun and can also be tiring, and at times, slow. 

6. Hair & Makeup

Do a test run of your hair and make-up to ensure both are what you want. Without a test run, you can be worried about how they look, you don’t feel at ease or calm on the day of your session. Your worry or discomfort will appear in your photos. This is true of haircuts as well. Be sure to get a haircut at least 5-7 days before your photo shoot. Again, this ensures you have time to adjust to the cut or style, feel comfortable and at ease, well before your photo session. During the photo session, one goal is for you to be as comfortable and confident as possible, which is easier when you’ve given yourself enough time to adjust to anything new. 

7, Choosing Clothes Early and for Comfort & Relaxation 

Choose what you will wear early and share this with the photographer. There may be lighting effects or themes of the photo concept to coordinate with your wardrobe. A simple outfit is best. Complicated outfits cause fidgeting via frequent adjustments. Slacks and top, t-shirt and jeans/trousers, or a dress: these are good, simple options. Avoid patterns, logos, graphics, and illustrations. Wear solid colors rather than patterns. Darker colors are slimming, if that matters. Bright colors will pop in color photographs. Most importantly, wear what you feel comfortable in. Don’t wear a new outfit for the first time at your photo shoot or an outfit you would never wear outside the session, if you’ll feel awkward doing so. Comfort, ease, and confidence are what we’re going for, so that you feel most like yourself during your session. Choose what you will feel most relaxed wearing.  In Seattle, where I’m located this means wear layers of clothing and be prepared for our shifting weather!