Preparing for Your Portrait Session

There are a number of factors that go into making a great portrait. It takes team work between the subject and the photographer to achieve the highest success. As your photographer, I have the experience and the equipment to make technically perfect portraits. I also have a gentle and easy-going nature that helps put people at ease. One of the most important aspects of a great portrait is having the subject completely at ease. One way for you to be comfortable is to bring a friend along to the session (clients under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a family member or friend). Other factors that help guarantee a successful portrait are completely under your control. Please keep the following in mind when getting ready to have your portraits made.

Clothing - You should choose to wear what makes you comfortable and shows who you are. However, there are a few guidelines that should be followed. Wild patterns and bright colors can overpower the portrait and distract the viewer's attention from your face. In general it is best to wear clothes that are a darker tone than your face, and for close-up portraits of girls or women, you should try to avoid spaghetti straps or sleeveless tops. Your upper arms will compete with your face in the photograph. If you are having a group portrait, everyone should be wearing clothes that match style and in tonal value. The camera cannot capture as wide of a contrast range as the human eye can. That means that if some people are dressed in black and others in white, the photograph will not be able to show details in both blacks and whites. Taking the time to coordinate styles and colors can also say a lot about a family or group.

Arrival time - Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your portrait session. This will give you time to be ready when the session is set to begin. The best photos are made when both the subject and the photographer are relaxed and not under pressure. Being ready at your session start time will give us the most time to work with and will help guarantee a relaxed atmosphere.

Hair - Men should plan to have their hair cut between three and seven days before the photo session. Women should have their hair done on whatever day they think will allow their hair to look its best on the portrait day.

Make-up - Your portraits will be with you for the rest of your life, so plan your make-up accordingly. Realize that too little make-up could make you look pale, tired, or younger than you wish. Too much can make you look "painted". Bring all your make-up with you in case minor modifications are required.

Jewelry - While your jewelry helps define who you are, too much of it may detract from the final results. Moderation may be the best.

Eye Glasses - If you wear eye glasses, it would be helpful if you could bring a pair with empty rims to your portrait session. Not only can glasses pick up glare from the lights, they can also deform the line of the face because of the magnifying property of the lens. Contacts are not a problem, of course.

Sleep - Try to get a good night's sleep before the portrait day. This will help eliminate "bags under the eyes" and will also give your skin a more refreshed look.

Blemishes - A rite of passage of the teenage years is blemishes. Despite our best efforts to take care of our skin, we all have to deal with imperfections. However, if you have a nasty "zit" that was just waiting until your portrait day before it came out, don't despair. We will airbrush out minor imperfections at no extra charge.

Poses - We have a number of poses that always do well, and we will design additional poses as the session progresses and we get to know your personality better. However, you can also suggest a pose or poses that you think you look good in or that might define your style. And we also suggest you go through some fashion magazines and clothing catalogs and bring some poses you like to the portrait session. The more we know about what you are looking for in your portrait, the better job we can do for you.

Props - Feel free to bring along items that help define the real you or that make you comfortable. This is especially true for children who may need a little extra comfort in unfamiliar surroundings. A special stuffed animal or toy might be just the thing they need. Hats can work well, and something like a shawl for the women can add visual interest to a portrait. Don't be afraid to be creative!

Music - Feel free to bring along your favorite CD or cassette tape to play during the photo session.

Remember, the better prepared we all are, the more successful the session will be!