THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Never had professional photos taken and looking for some guidance? You've come to the right place! Lucky for you, I have photographed many portraits sessions and have the best advice for you to feel prepared and have a great shoot! Here is my definitive guide to portrait photography with my best tips and reminders for your portrait photography sessions.

SCHEDULING

First things first - It’s important to nail down your details so your photographer can block out your shoot on their calendar. I like to recommend scheduling your shoot in the later afternoon just before sunset or early in the morning. I try to avoid high noon/ early afternoon and any time the sun is directly above you. Usually I recommend setting your time 1.5 hours before sunset. Most portrait sessions are typically 1-2 hours, depending on the type of shoot. Make sure to arrive on time to your session, and consider traffic.

LOCATION & LOGISTICS

Portrait sessions are done outdoors at a location of your choosing. I love using natural light and golden hour, it gives you the best glow in my opinion. Do you want your photos with an urban or nature background? I can provide you with a list of recommended locations based on your preferences.

Once you choose your location, think about the needs you might have. Is it far away? Make sure to plan for traffic and drive time. What is parking like? Does it require hiking or a lot of walking? Bring the right shoes or gear. Check if the location has a calendar of events and avoid scheduling on a day that might conflict with a planned event.

Some locations require a photography permit in order for you to be allowed to take professional photos there. This information is often listed on the location website and needs to be completed in advance. As your photographer, I can find this information and manage the paperwork, but clients are responsible for all fees.

Be aware of what facilities the location you choose does or does not have. Some places do not have bathrooms or may lock them at 5pm. If you are planning on wearing multiple outfits, you may need to change in your car or a public bathroom.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

This is a big one! For portrait sessions, you can bring multiple outfits. If you have a longer session, I absolutely recommend at least 2 outfits if you want to do light & dark or formal & casual looks.

I recommend soft, light, airy, neutral and earthy tones. Play with texture and fabric like lace, chiffon, or waffle weave! This is a great way to add some depth to your outfits.

Avoid busy prints or patterns, any printed graphics or texts, and obvious logos as these tend to overwhelm the photo. Simple patterns are ok! Try to also avoid really bright saturated clothes (like a neon green top) as these colors can color cast or reflect onto your face. Instead, go for the more subdued version of the color - instead of bright orange, do a soft orange or burnt orange. When choosing your colors remember that darker colors will create more contrast and stand out more, and softer and lighter colors will be softer and airy.

If you’re doing a group portrait session (family, couple, friends) consider how your outfits compliment and work together thematically, texture, and colorwise. I recommend having complimentary outfits instead of overly matching outfits. You can do a simple pattern, but don't have more than one person wear a pattern, and have the other outfits pull color from it. For example, if you have one person wearing a light blue and white pin stripe dress, one person could wear a solid light blue shirt and one person could wear a soft white shirt. Your pictures will look much nicer if your colors, patterns, and styles are complimentary and work well together.

Iron your clothes the day before, and make sure the are CLEAN and free of stains or pet hair.

Consider what shoes you’ll be wearing and make sure they match your outfits and don’t have any bad scuffs. Match your jewelry to your outfit. I recommend not wearing a watch (definitely not an Apple Watch) as they can really stand out in photos. Make sure your nails are nice - this is a great excuse to get a manicure (ESPECIALLY if these are engagement photos)! (It makes a difference, trust me.) Lastly, make sure your hair and makeup is done how you want it to look in the photos.

Bottom line, make sure your clothes are you, fit well, and that you feel comfortable and confident in them! If you are unsure, send me photos of what you're thinking of. I am happy to advise you on your outfit choice!

GETTING READY FOR THE CAMERA - POSING

Not all of us are models, and if this is your first time in front of a camera, don't worry! I will be there to help you. My approach to posing is I’m here to guide you. I tend to avoid over posing you (like they do for high school yearbooks) and instead prefer a softer, more natural approach to posing. I'll give you some direction and prompts to get the shoot going. The photos where you feel comfortable and look natural are the best ones. Even though this is a photoshoot, I don't want you to feel like I'm bossing you around, this should be a fun experience! So I’ll help you relax and laugh and will capture all the beautiful candids in between.

That being said... If you have anything specific envisioned, let me know! If you have a great idea for a pose, let's do it! Look through any photos you have of yourself and see which ones you like and which ones not so much. You can even practice in the mirror! Notice what the differences are in your posing and angles. I want to get your good side! Check out Pinterest and get an idea of what type of photos or poses you like. It's a great place to get ideas, and feel free to share these with me!

PURPOSE & THEMATIC IDEAS

Why are you doing this shoot? Is it for a purpose like graduation or maternity photos, family holiday cards, or just because? If there is a specific plan or vision for these photos, let me know! Your purpose can drive your shoot and the points covered below. If you’re doing graduation photos, bring your cap and gown and any items/hobbies you want to highlight (like athletic gear or your art materials). If it’s a maternity shoot, long flowy gowns are great. If you want musician portraits, bring your instruments and wear your signature look. Want to do a cute picnic engagement shoot? Awesome, bring the champagne and snacks! If you have a specific direction for this shoot, let me know!

Then think about what you want these photos to be for. Holiday cards? Photos for the house? Headshots for modeling? Wedding invitation? Tell me any planned photo needs you have and I’ll make sure the shots are composed and oriented accordingly. If you don't know, that's ok, I will give you plenty of options to work with.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE SHOOT?

Day of the photoshoot - obviously bring all your outfits and shoes, and any props you want to use. In addition, it's helpful to have a little bag with the following items:

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Jacket (in case it gets cold)

• Hairbrush

• Makeup bag for touch ups

• Lint roller

• Printed photography permits (if needed)

• Water bottle
  

FINAL THOUGHTS

Be yourself! This shoot is all about you or your family. It’s going to be a lot of fun, you're going to look fabulous. Be comfortable, be silly, and relax! And don’t worry about posing perfectly all the time, just have fun with it and laugh, and I promise you, I’ll capture the perfect moments!

Was this timeline guide helpful for you? Still have questions or want more location and outfit planning assistance? As your photographer, I'm here to help! Ready to book and get planning?

Request a free quote today!