To create the best portraits possible, it’s important to consider your preparation. Aside from the standard consultation prior to every shoot, here are 5 essential considerations to keep in mind when planning for the day. Your needs as a model, client or collaborator may vary, but these 5 things can help make your shoot an enjoyable and productive experience.

5 Essential Considerations for a Great Shoot

Wardrobe
Footwear
Props
Punctuality
Lower Your Guard

1. Wardrobe

The most obvious consideration is the clothing you bring. Variety is key here. Consider the color of your eyes, your hair, and the tone of your skin. Articles that compliment or accentuate your features are the most interesting, and it’s important to bring many styles. Having too many options is better than having too few, so bring more than you think you’ll need.

2. Footwear

It’s important to consider what you’ll be wearing during breaks and wardrobe changes. In addition to the footwear that you bring for the photos, slippers, sandals, and easy slip-on shoes are great items to consider when packing for your shoot.

3. Props

We all have interests, hobbies, and activities that we identify with. Some more strongly than others. The tools that we use regularly might represent important parts of our lives. Consider bringing anything that represents your personality, your lifestyle, or some character type that you’d like to portray. A cellist might bring their cello, an author their typewriter. A performing artist or cosplayer might bring items from a costume. Accessories such as glasses, bowties, sashes, and hand fans are excellent examples of interesting props.

The simplicity of a book, but the strength of it’s title.

4. Punctuality

I will do my very best to ensure that the studio is ready for your arrival and that the shooting begins in a timely manner. I will also be mindful of the pace of the shoot as to avoid your boredom or discomfort. I ask that you respect the time we have booked together as well. That is, I would ask that you show up on time or slightly early, and that you be ready to utilize the entirety of our booked time. If the shoot needs to be cut short, then the quality of the product may not be what we had hoped for. With that said, I am flexible and will be considerate of your schedule during the day of the shoot.

5. Lower Your Guard

This is entirely dependent on your comfort. I believe that the best images are created through emotion and depth of character. Believe it or not, it’s easy to pose, and it’s easy to smile. What is difficult is opening up to a new person, and in front of a camera. I will do my best to put you at ease and hold space for a connection to develop, however brief it may be. The pre shoot consultation is intended to create familiarity and to ensure that the start of the shoot is as comfortable as possible.

Conclusion

That’s it for now. This list is far from exhaustive, so stay tuned for more in the future. These 5 considerations are sure to make your first shoot with me a delight for us both.

5 Essentials for a Great Shoot