7 Brilliant Tips to Prepare for Your First In-Studio Photo Shoot
If you are ready to book a professional photographer to capture your acting, modeling, or professional headshots, you may wonder what to expect on the day of the shoot. Working with a professional photographer in a photography studio should be fun and exciting!
It’s totally normal to feel a bit anxious before your shoot. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 7 tips to help you prepare for your first photo shoot in a photography studio, like ours in Norman, Oklahoma.
BRING WARDROBE OPTIONS
Your photographer will typically be equipped with the backdrop and props, unless you’ve discussed other ideas previously and are expected to bring something. Other than that, your main job as the subject and focus of the photographs is to look your best.
We suggest preparing a handful of options for your wardrobe. Make sure your clothing is laundered and wrinkle-free.
You can put shirts and dresses on hangers and if needed, you can bring a rolling suitcase with shoes and jeans, depending on how many outfits you’ll want to be photographed in. In any case, it’s always nice to have options!
Take time to think about how the garment will translate on camera. Beware of anything too sheer, shiny, or loud (such as neon). Shiny or sparkly clothing can create an undesirable effect on the camera. Likewise, certain intricate patterns can cause an effect called moiré, which essentially confuses the camera and creates wavy lines on the image that shouldn’t be there. Read Click Magazine's article on what not to wear for photos here.
COME CAMERA READY BUT BRING YOUR MAKEUP ALONG
The day your shoot is scheduled, you’ll want to arrive at the photography studio "camera-ready". This means that your makeup is done, your hair is finished, and you are in an outfit that could work on camera.
Prepare a makeup kit to bring along that includes pressed powder to reduce shine, the lipstick that you’re wearing, mascara, and eyeliner for touch-ups. Depending on what kind of shoot you are doing, you may want to bring along your nail polish for touch-ups as well.
Many professional photography packages are billed hourly so you don’t want to spend valuable shoot time touching up makeup. That's why it's important to arrive as prepared as possible.
DON’T TRY NEW THINGS THE DAY OF THE SHOOT
When you’re getting prepped for your in-studio photo shoot we suggest sticking to what you know. It’s nice buying a new garment for a shoot but don’t go too far out of your comfort zone, unless you are doing an off-the-wall artistic shoot or something that requires pushing the envelope.
Likewise, when applying your makeup and preparing your touch-up kit, we recommend sticking to products you know and trust, when possible. Avoiding trying new products will prevent an eye-liner disaster from happening the day of the shoot that could ruin your photographs and spoil your experience. If you need shoot-day makeup tips, here’s a great article from FashionMagazine.com.
FIND YOUR GOOD SIDE, FIND YOUR LIGHT
Most people have a “good side” when it comes to photography. If you don’t already know which side is yours, a good rule of thumb is to shoot your left side. There is, believe it or not, a whole science behind this with a points system involved. If you want to get super scientific, you can follow this guide.
You can also ask your photographer which side of your face they consider your best side, they typically have a terrific knack for this.
Once you know which side of your face you prefer to shoot, try practicing “finding your light,” which means angling your face so the light hits it just right. Again, your photographer will have an idea of what looks best on the camera monitor and this will include choosing lighting and background colors to compliment your skin tone.
PRACTICE POSING
Another way to prepare for your shoot is to practice posing. This includes practicing your smile, facial expressions, and posing your body. When posing your body, think about what might look nice on the camera.
I have had a photographer suggest that when posing for photos, you can think of yourself as a puppet hanging from a string that is anchored in the sky. It does give an elegant effect and makes the shoot feel like a dance. Practice different poses, both standing and seated.
You can try moving your hands around to create different poses, including hands on your hips, hands on your shoulder, and hands on your head or in your hair. You can also include interesting poses like bending, squatting, and sitting on the ground.
Turn your body to the side to avoid looking square on the camera. You can also extend your hands toward the camera to create a visual sight line back to your body. Try to practice as many poses as possible. Your photographer should have some unique ideas for poses as well.
REACH FOR INSPIRATION
If you’re not sure what kind of photos you want or how you want to pose, there is nothing wrong with looking around for inspiration.
Try searching the internet for headshots of your favorite actor or actress or looking for posing inspiration from a guide like this one from Mixbook.com.
NEED MORE INSPO? TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BLOG: 5 Versatile Places To Take Memorable Photos in Oklahoma City
RELAX AND BE YOURSELF
The most important thing to remember is to relax and be yourself! If you want natural-looking photos, you won’t have to try too hard if you’re being authentic. Stay playful and joyful, and trust your photographer to capture what they see in you.
NEED HEADSHOTS OR GROUP PHOTOS FOR YOUR BUSINESS? CHECK OUT OUR BLOG: 3 Ways Dynamic Photographs Can Enhance Your Online Presence
READY TO BOOK A SESSION WITH ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS?
The creative professionals at Spivey Media, located in Norman, Oklahoma, are ready to help you shoot and edit impressive photos for your brand, band, business, or product. We offer headshots, mini-photo shoots, group photo shoots, event and product photography, and more.
Contact us today and let us know what type of professional photos you need! We will book an appointment in our professional photography studio, at your business, event, or location of your choosing.