How to Prepare for a Photography Session
/Yay! You're booked for a photography session. Now what? Location, location, location.
First thing, if we haven't already, let's pick a spot (or two) to take your photos. While Austin is not short on beautiful and interesting venues, it's always fun to choose a location that has personal meaning to you. A special location, like Jessica and Colin's choice of Mozart's for coffee, gives extra meaning and depth to your photos. But if nothing comes to mind, don't fret. I'm happy to help you choose a location that suits the look and feel you want for your photo session, whether it's a grassy field or your own backyard. If you're in Austin, here are some solid options I love (the scenery varies by season, of course)!
- scenic view of the bridge and water plus some woodsy area
- woodsy trails and fall colored foliage
- great variety of green, water, and skyline/city views
What to wear?
First and foremost, it's important to feel like yourself, because that will absolutely come across in your photos. Secondly, you should choose wardrobe pieces that aren't going to compete for attention in the photo. We want the focus to be on you and not really what you're wearing. So the best idea is to stick with solid colors or classic, small prints. When planning a shoot with multiple people, whether it's your whole family or just one other person, it's a good idea to coordinate your colors and styles without falling into the dreaded "matchy-matchy" look. It's a good idea to choose a starting point with one person's outfit and work outwards from there. My final piece of wardrobe advice is to consider your environment. Jessica's casual dress and heels worked perfectly for the downtown park, as it had paved pathways that made sense for stilettos. Make sure your footwear matches the terrain, unless the intent is a purposeful juxtaposition of wardrobe and scenery.
Prepare for your close-up.
The week leading up to your portrait session is an important one. Do your best to get a good amount of sleep and stay hydrated. Your skin will thank you for it!
Check out those fingers and toes. Treat yourself to a manicure/pedicure, and if you are planning to show off a sparkly new engagement ring, consider getting it cleaned before your session. These small details will make your overall look polished and camera-ready.
I hope this helps get you ready for your session! As always, I'm here to answer any questions or bounce ideas back and forth. Looking forward to seeing you in front of the camera!
xo, Nicole
