Pre-shoot prep: 5 tasks to make sure you arrive looking your best
Yay! You’ve just chosen me as your photographer, decided what session you want, and locked in a date for your shoot. Nailing it!
As your photographer, I come prepared for your shoot with the right gear, ideas for how to pose, and an understanding of how to use that knowledge to make great images of you. But you can *also* prepare for your photo shoot so you walk in feeling confident and looking your best.
Haven’t booked yet? Let’s get an intro call on the books and see if I’m the right fit for your next shoot!
From skincare to what you wear, here are some of my top tips for pre-shoot preparation!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
My number one tip for life, let alone shoot prep: stay hydrated, cuties! Drinking water regularly does wonders for your skin. If you don’t already have a hydration situation in your life, now is a great time to start. (If you need some extra nudging, I recommend Plant Nanny! It’s a super cute app that I used to get into the habit of drinking water regularly. I’ve also heard great things about Finch and Waterminder!)
Need a haircut or quick trim before your shoot? Planning to treat yourself to a facial or a manicure? Get those appointments scheduled in advance. Keep in mind, too, that some treatments may cause skin redness or bruising, so you want to make sure they’re not scheduled too close to your shoot date.
ONE TO TWO WEEKS PRE-SHOOT
If you have a longer hairstyle, this is a great time to schedule that haircut or trim: your ends will thank you! Your hair will look fresh and healthy for your shoot, while also having time to grow a little (and you’ll have some wiggle room for any necessary fixes.)
Lay out the clothes you want to wear for your photo shoot. Does anything need to be laundered, ironed, or dry-cleaned? Buttons resewn? Better to find out now than the night before your shoot! You can also reach out to me for my thoughts on your outfit choices. I’ll guide you not only to what will look best on you, but what will photograph and read best on camera.
Want to chat through more of your ideas? Let’s set up a call and talk it over!
Do you have strong reactions to certain foods? For example: I’m a huuuuuge chocolate fan (read: my husband has hidden it all around the house so he can be my personal hero when chocolate-less crises strike) but I know that if I eat a lot of it, my skin will start to break out. For some people, it’s sugar, for others, it’s lactose or fried foods. You want to feel your absolute glowiest and best on your photo shoot day, so it’s worth considering if you want to take a short break from foods that make you feel bloated, broken out, or just blah.
THE WEEK OF YOUR SHOOT
For my short-haired folks, the week of your shoot is when you should schedule your haircut, trim, or lineup. Make sure that cut is fresh for the camera!
For my fellow consistent hair-dyers, be sure to refresh your color around seven days out from your shoot. You don’t want it to be so grown-out that it’s no longer vibrant, nor do you want to walk in with that fresh day-of dye feeling. Give yourself and your hair the space to settle into your freshly-done ‘do.
And whether you’re cutting, dyeing, or just letting your hair settle: this is a great time to hit me up with any final questions before your shoot. As a fellow type-A person with medium-grade anxiety, I *get* it, and as your photographer, I want you to feel relaxed and ready. I’m happy to answer whatever questions you have!
Even if you haven’t booked yet, I’m happy to answer all of your photography questions!
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SHOOT
Steam or iron any clothing items that need it and hang them up to avoid wrinkling. For pet owners or perpetual petters of other people’s dogs (guilty!), I definitely recommend giving your clothes a solid lint roll.
Lay out the accessories, props, or extra items you want to have on hand so you don’t forget a thing. Use a pouch for small items like jewelry or hair accessories so nothing breaks, bends, or gets lost in transit.
If you want to have a manicure done for your shoot, schedule your appointment for the day before your shoot. I recommend soft, neutral colors, since they read well on camera and don’t pull attention from your face. If you don’t normally paint your nails, no worries: just make sure your nails are clean and trimmed.
The best way to prepare your hair to be styled by a hair and makeup artist is to come in with clean, dry hair. Wash and dry your hair the night before (or morning of, depending on your hair type), use minimal product, and avoid heat styling tools or hairspray. This will ensure that your hair is ready to go on shoot day!
And finally, to quote one of my favorite kids’ books: go the f**k to sleep. Get a good night’s rest before your photo shoot!
THE DAY OF YOUR PHOTO SHOOT
Hooray! You’ve made it to the day of your photo shoot, and you’re so prepared, you’re basically a Boy Scout.
Some day-of tasks I recommend:
If you’re working with a hair and makeup artist, wash your face and use your normal moisturizer. No need for any other products… clean, bare skin is the best canvas!
Remember to eat! 98% of looking good is feeling good, and that starts with giving yourself the energy needed for the day (and besides, Ilona Maher says so.)
Take a minute to pull up some of your hype songs: the ones that make you feel powerful, sexy, and like you’re on top of the world. Play them while you get ready, and when you arrive at your shoot, tell me about them so we can curate your shoot playlist!
Et voila! You’ve followed my pre-shoot preparation tips and you’re ready to make some amazing images at your photo shoot!
Ready to book your next session? Reach out today to ask any questions and get your next shoot on the books!