How to Best Prepare
Wardrobe and Prop considerations
Let's Get Organized
Take a step at a time...
Visualize your typical day with clients. What would you normally wear to a meeting or a Zoom call? What could you do to plus it by just 10%? What’s your go to outfit that gives you an extra boost of confidence? You may already have what you need in your closet. So, look there first.
Where will the images be utilized?
Website? LinkedIn? Facebook? Instagram? Magazine editorials or ads? Billboard? Do you have a consistent color theme throughout your marketing? Try incorporating your brand color into your wardrobe. For example, if your brand has a punchy hot pink logo, perhaps wear a hot pink jacket to your shoot. Do not feel the pressure to match your brand color perfectly, but compliment it with the general tone of colors. Props are another excellent place to introduce your brand color theme.
Consider variety:
Do you wear a business suit every day? If not, bring a variety of items to dress up and down. Suit jackets provide a look of serious power. Pencil skirts and tailored dresses speak to business. Flowy floral dresses are soft and feminine. Do you need images in athletic wear to tell your full story?
Think about the season...
If you want non-seasonal images that can be utilized year-round, then avoid heavy coats, thick sweaters, boots, shorts, summer tops and sandals.
Timeless or Trendy?
Wardrobe classics are loved and stand the test of time. Trends come and go. If you do not plan to have a shoot every six months, stick with the classics.
Things to leave behind:
Avoid wardrobe with neon bright colors, large logos, graphics, and busy or bold patterns. We want the viewer’s attention to go to your eyes and lovely smile, not be distracted by your attention-grabbing clothes.
Be comfortable!
A photo session should be a fun one. Make sure you can enjoy moving in your clothes and can sit comfortably. Certain fabrics move and flow with the body.
You be you...
Above all, do not worry about what you’re “supposed” to wear on a photo shoot. You already know what you like to wear and what compliments your body style. Be yourself.
Bring Several Options | Think Brand Palette
Prop List ideas
Laptop, Tablet and Phone
(Be ready to load your website and social media on the screens)
Journal and Pen
Weekly planner
Folders / Notebooks
Ceramic mug / Water bottle / Travel mug
Computer bag / Handbag / Tote
Reading glasses / Sunglasses
Couple toss pillows or throw blanket in your color theme
Small tools specific to your trade
How to Pack Efficiently
Steam and Hang
Steam or press your wardrobe at home before packing. Hang all your wardrobe on hangers and group items that you intend to wear together. Your garments will more likely arrive wrinkle free if hung and transported in a garment bag. If you do not have a garment bag, no worries. A model’s trick is to utilize old drycleaner bags or even a large trash bag with a hole cut out for the hangers. Every moment in the dressing room is one less moment capturing photos.
Bring Options
It’s always better to have too much than not enough. We love having choices!
Organize Your Props!
Organize all your personal props in one or two bags for quick access during the shoot. We want to use our precious time together shooting and not hunting down props in another room.
Personal Prep
If possible, pamper yourself with a manicure the day before the shoot. Your hands will be up around your face and visible during closeups with your props. Unless you want your nails grabbing a lot of attention, it is best to select a color that is somewhat timeless in style and a simple soft or neutral color. At-home manicures are perfectly great also. Clean, unpolished nails that are trimmed and filed will do the job well.
If your session includes a hair and makeup stylist, then come with what models call “clean hair and makeup”. That means, a clean face, moisturized and free of makeup. Hair should be clean, dry and not styled. You know your hair best. Sometimes second day hair is easier to manipulate. You decide. If you can, avoid getting your hair cut the last few days before your shoot.
Simply taking care of your health goes a long way. Avoid alcohol the night before, get plenty of sleep, and stay well hydrated.