Want Your Photo Session To Be Best?
you're in the right place
While reaching out to a photographer and signing their contract and paying the deposit is an important first step, what follows after that is even more important!
You've invested at least a couple hundred into your upcoming photo session. Why not make sure you look and feel like a million bucks? The following seven tips and suggestions are simple. Try to see how many you can incorporate into your upcoming session.
If you are in the Milwaukee / Kenosha / Lake Geneva area and are looking for a photographer, please reach out! My name is Ashley and I would love to capture your life in this season! Let's get you on my calendar.
Choosing Outfits
This is a big one! The outfits you choose will drastically change the outcome of your photos. If you want lighter, brighter photos, choose lighter & brighter clothes. If you want your photos to appear darker, opt for blacks or darker shades. Stay away from fabrics that wrinkle easily or show sweat marks. Wrinkles and sweat are very visible in photos. Be comfortable and confident in your choices by sitting down, bending over, and raising your arms above your head. I suggest asking someone to take a video of you doing all of those things so you can see for yourself. Sometimes a selfie or a quick look in the mirror just doesn't do the trick. Always feel free to reach out for my input. I am happy to help you put your outfits together!
Prepping
Is this an engagement session? Clean your ring! You don't want the macro shot of your ring illuminating all the little dirt specks on your stone.
Do you wear glasses? Clean your glasses! Make sure all the grime and streaks are nowhere to be seen.
Brush your teeth and floss! And don't eat colored candy on the way to the session. Nobody wants to see photos of your teeth slightly blue.
Cut off any dress loops. Those pesky little things somehow make it into every session if they are not detached from your clothing.
Don't Forget To Have Fun
Feeling anxious about your photo session? Don't be! We're going to have fun! As your photographer, I've got you!! I will coach you into poses, give you fun prompts, and I promise your session will fly by! We will laugh, smile, get serious and more - I've even had clients cry at their session due to an overwhelm of emotion and deep love for their family. Whatever happens, let it happen, and I will be there to capture it for you.
Remember, this session is to capture this season of your life! No need to make it something that you're not. Be authentically you. If you are stressed, your kids will be stressed. Tell your kids how much fun this is going to be - and believe that yourself too!
Empty Pockets
Plan to travel around the park / photo location as light as possible. We don't want any weird bumps or bulges popping out of any pockets. Leave your phone, wallet, apple watch, your sunglasses, pocket knife, vape pen and more in the car. I am always happy to throw your keys or any of the above into my camera bag for safe keeping if you would rather it stay with us.
Don't Come Hungry
But also don't come so full that you feel gross. I suggest to stay hydrated with water and watch what you eat. I'd stay away from heavy carbs and greasy fast food that day. Instead, opt for protein, fruit, and vegetables along with other clean options. The last thing you want is to feel bloated and uncomfortable. By default, this could make you feel self conscience in the special outfit that you chose.
Ask Questions
Did you and your photographer agree on where to meet but you aren't quite sure about the parking situation? Is there a part of the contract that has you scratching your head? Thinking about asking your photographer about outfit choices? Please ask for clarity on any and all situations that you are seconding guessing yourself on. We are more than happy to help!
What To Pack
If you have young kids, pack a non-messy snack in case they get fussy. Pack hairspray, a lint roller, wet wipes or tissues as well as any make-up you may want to touch up when you arrive. If your shoes are uncomfortable, consider bringing a pair of flats for walking around in. If there are any props you want to incorporate into your photos, be sure to bring those too.
Hopefully these 7 tips and suggestions will help you as you prepare for your upcoming photo session! I'm so excited for you that you chose to invest in a photo session - whether that's with me or another photographer.
When we make the decision to have our photos done, it's a gift for the present and for the future. Photos become more valuable as time goes on because we're constantly growing and getting older. What we look like this year will likely look different next year.
Wishing you the best photo session!
