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         GENERAL TIPS:

• Textures and layers always look nice and add depth and detail to the photo.  Knits, scarves and sweaters for the fall and winter portraits are great on camera!

• Solids colors are best.  Busy, loud patterns or logos will draw too much attention in your photos, so solids are always a safe bet!

• Avoid clothes with fine, repetitive lines typically found on men’s dress shirts or suits.  These detailed lines can be difficult for the camera to register and may appear as wavy lines instead.  No bueno!

• Avoid wearing loud or fluorescent colors since it can be distracting when looking at a photos and the colors can reflect on your face.  So, unless you want to be bright orange, it’s best to stay away from fluorescents.

• Pale colors, like pale pink, may appear more white on camera.  Consider more vibrant shades.

• Iron your wardrobe!  I can’t stress this enough.  Every detail will show up in your portraits, so be sure to iron out any wrinkles, remove lint and loose threads. 

• Bring more than one outfit to get a variety of shots!  Consider something dressy, i.e.  suit, tie, dress AND something laid back, i.e. college hoodie, jeans.

• Don’t over-do accessories.  No watches or bulky jewelry please.

• If you wear eye-glasses all the time, feel free to bring them, but if you can do without your glasses or have contact lenses, this is a better option.  Eyeglasses can cause a reflection of the flash or nearby objects.

• Make hair appointments at least 2 weeks prior if possible so new cuts or styles relax a bit.

• If getting any facial waxing, do so a few days prior to avoid having redness and/or swelling

• Be careful not to get sunburned prior to your session.

• Feel free to bring props that represent you – band instrument, sports gear like a volleyball or baseball bat, letter jacket, sunglasses.  Anything unique to your life, interests and/or personality.

• GALS:

• Hide those bra straps!  Wear a bra that hides well under your outfit.

• Wear undergarments that don’t show through your clothes, i.e. no black thongs under a white dress

• Consider wearing dresses or tops that cover your arms partially or fully if you are concerned about how your upper arms look.  Bare arms tend to stand-out in a photo and can expose more skin than your face, thus drawing attention to your arms, not your beautiful face!

• Makeup:

• Lips – any shiny lip gloss in a color like berries or browns are great.   Avoid frosts or glitters that will reflect light.  Avoid dark colors.  Bring your lip gloss along for refreshing!

• Face – a light application of non-SPF foundation helps smooth out the skin and cover any blemishes.  The goal is for a matte finish, not a glow so avoid bronzers.  Finally, brush a light translucent powder all over to cut down on shine.

• Cheeks – light blush to add some color.  Avoid bronzers or glittery blushes.

• Eyes – brown/black eyeliner and a little mascara to bring out the lashes is fine.  Avoid eye shadows with shimmer or glitter.  False eyelashes look great, if you’re used to wearing them.  Be sure any excess glue is removed and better to go with a more natural set of lashes, rather than anything outlandish.

• Eyebrows – be sure to trim, pluck if needed.  The camera and lenses are very powerful, so even a rogue hair will show!  If waxing, be sure to do it a week prior to avoid having redness.

• Hairspray! – I can’t say enough about spritzing your hair with some spray, especially long hair!  Most of my photo sessions are in the late afternoon to catch a gorgeous golden halo-light, but it also can highlight the flyaway hairs, so please spray your locks if you can.

• Manicure/Pedicure – It’s amazing the detail the camera can capture, so be sure to get a fresh manicure and coat of nail polish and pedicure (if you’ll be wearing open toed shoes).  Avoid extremely bright or fluorescent nail color.

• GUYS:

• Be clean-shaven or have beards and mustaches trimmed.   For clean-shaven guys, you may think a little stubble won’t be seen on camera, but it totally shows in close-ups, so spend the extra time to shave and put on your “handsome”!

• Wear chapstick for dry lips

• Pluck and trim eyebrows and nose hairs as needed

• Socks – Wear socks that match the color of your clothes. No brown socks with black pants.

• Shoes – Wear shoes that match your clothing style.   No flip-flops with dress pants. No dress shoes with shorts!