You have scheduled your session and coordinated your outfits, but as your appointment draws closer, there are 10 things you can do before you’re in front of the camera lens to improve your experience!
- Combat bloating – Two to three days before your photo shoot, take a break from those tasty foods filled with salt and fat. Loading your body with salt causes your body to retain water, which results in bloating. Eating clean before your session will improve your confidence and comfort in front of the camera.
- Schedule hair appointments early – Nothing draws your attention to split ends or differently colored roots more than an upcoming photo session, but waiting to correct them the day before a photo shoot can be a disaster. To avoid photos memorializing the color stains on your forehead or a haircut you hate, schedule any hair appointments two weeks before your shoot. Men can usually get away with a cut a couple of days beforehand, but I would recommend allowing for a little time just in case.
- Heal dry lips – Leading up to your photo shoot, use that chapstick liberally! No one wants to stand in front of a camera with cracked, dry lips. Especially if you plan to wear lipstick, smooth lips are a must for an even coat of color. Because people tend to lick their lips often during photo shoots, it wouldn’t hurt to bring your chapstick with you on the day of your session.
- Moisturize – Amply apply your favorite face and body lotion during the week leading up to your session…and yes, men, this includes you, too! Dry, irritated skin shows up on camera, and doesn’t take to makeup as well as moisturized, healthy skin.
- Whiten teeth – If you want to brighten up your pearly whites, begin any whitening treatments at least two weeks before your session.
- Clean nails – When it comes to fingernails, it’s more about what you don’t see than what you do. Unless you purposefully intend to make a bold statement with your nails, you probably want them to go unnoticed. The day before your session, clean your nails thoroughly or paint them a nice, neutral color.
- Double check undergarments – Nobody wants to receive their beautiful photos only for attention to be immediately drawn toward a stray bra strap or underwear line. Carefully choose your undergarments to suit your outfit ahead of time, and make a shopping trip if you need to.
- De-wrinkle clothing – The night before your session, make sure your clothes are laid out and wrinkle-free.
- Get some rest – Banish red eyes and dark circles by getting a full night of sleep before your photo shoot. You don’t want your photographer to have to snap photos between yawns.
- Pack some snacks – Bringing snacks (not messy ones, please!) can help you make it through a lengthy photo shoot. If at all possible, we want to avoid a session interrupted by stomach growls.
By following these 10 simple rules, you can set yourself up for a stress-free, beautiful session filled with confidence and laughter, and an album full of photos that you will cherish for years to come.
Would you like to find out more about a session experience? View session experience here. Would you like to book a session? Contact Liz here.
