Tips to help you enjoy your photo shoot
Having your photo taken can be a nerve-wracking experience for many clients.
Hopefully you will find these tips useful
Discuss what you hope to get out of the shoot with your photographer…
Do you have a particular photo style in mind? Have you seen a particular photo you want to try to copy? Do you just want a portrait to hang on your wall, or do you need the photo to help you promote your business and be used in promotional material, both in print and on social media?
Talking with you photographer beforehand allows them to provide a more tailor-made service to suit your needs, ensuring the results match your requirements.
Super Tip – do some research on Google/Pinterest or in magazines and give those images to your photographer so they get an idea of what you’re looking for.
A photography studio can be small or large, but both will have things in common: backdrops and at least one light
As well as any images that you might have sourced, come prepared with items to help you feel more comfortable. For instance bringing a hairbrush/comb will allow you adjust your hair and help you feel in control, even if your journey was a bit stressful.
Other items that ladies might like to bring are powder and lipstick. Photography lights can be very hot, especially if you’re standing/sitting in front of them for a while, and already feeling a bit uncomfortable. Bringing powder and lippy, gives you the freedom to retouch your make up at will. This will help you feel much more relaxed.
Bringing items that are specific to your business/industry, or that show your personality, are also useful to bring. For instance, I’ve had musicians such as drummers, cellists and guitarists bring their instruments into the studio. Another musician brought a straw hat, which enabled me to create really atmospheric portraits, that also reflected his industry and personality.
Also, bringing a change or two of clothing, such as a different shirt, or jacket, gives you the flexibility to try different options, making you feel more comfortable.
Allow plenty of time…
However much we prepare, sometimes things happen, such as traffic problems. Allow yourself plenty of time, so that when you arrive at your photographer’s premises, you’re more relaxed and not really stressed.
When I shoot my client portraits, I offer them a drink and give them time to relax after their journey. I also let them sort of their hair and make up and so on. Usually the first few photos aren’t that good, but we download them, have a look through to see what they’re like and by the end of this, clients are a lot more relaxed.
Science fiction author Mark Lucek portrait
Relax…
The camera is your friend, not your enemy. It can spot when you’re not relaxed and this can show in your photos. Breathing deeply will help you relax, as will rotating your shoulders a bit to relieve any tension in your neck, shoulders and back.
Fingers and hands can be difficult to photograph. Keeping you hands open and relaxed, stops them looking like sausages or claws. Sitting slightly angled and then looking back at the camera, helps create a more relaxed look. Lifting your chin and pushing it forward a little helps get rid of double chins. If you’re doing a full length portrait, standing side on to the camera. Standing with one foot slightly forward and angled (like a ballet dancer does), helps you look slimmer.
If you’re a glasses wearer (like myself), this can be a challenge for a photographer. They may ask you to try different positions to stop reflections from the lights showing in your glasses. One particular trick to avoid this is tilting the lenses downward with the ear bit higher up your head. This feels unnatural, but will help the photographer avoid reflections, whilst looking natural on camera.
Jo Brianti or JLB Support Solutions
Enjoy…
Finally, just enjoy your session. It’s the photographer’s job and (hopefully passion) to make you look good. The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the easier it is for us. We want you to feel happy, both during the shoot, and afterwards, with the images that we create for you. Sitting for a photographer can be an intimate experience. Any photographer worth their salt, should understand that and do their utmost to ensure that you enjoy your session.
To finish…
Check out some of the previous portraits I’ve created at www.iconiccreative.co.uk
To find out how I can help you create atmospheric portraits that reflect your personality, call me on 0775 341 3005 or email info@iconiccreative.co.uk
