Dress The Part

Choose clothes that flatter you, with more than one option. Select cuts and silhouettes that help define shape (for example, a belt or sash at the waist can help define your waistline) and that suit your body type. Simple is better than busy when it comes to color and details, but anything that has a unique flair can be visually interesting as long as it merely adds interest rather than stealing the show. Finally, choosing colors that flatter your skintones is more important than what colors “always look good”. 

Makeup

Think “stage makeup” and apply the same rule of thumb:  10-15% stronger than you would normally wear it is the sweet spot, especially for color. Pro lighting tends to absorb color and can at times seem to wash you out, so even though it will feel like a lot, a bit more makeup will actually translate as “normal” to the camera.

Learn To Move

You don’t have to “do the model thing”. Since the portrait session is about you (not the clothes or the jewelry or even — dare I? — the shoes). But simply beginning to shift your posture naturally during the session, or gesturing as you would if you were in conversation with a friend, can create a more authentic image in camera. Moving does something else: it forces you to relax. A great photographer will always help you relax, since that’s where the magic is. But the quicker you can reach that place, the more great images you’ll be able to create together.

Express Yourself

Portraits are not merely about your smile, no matter how much your parents spent on it. Great portraits should carry the sense of who you are as a person, and often that means showing that you are beautiful when you are intense, excited, relaxed, curious, and a host of other qualities.Try thinking about something that brings out a natural expression and let the camera see the real you.

Have Fun

There is no substitute for personal energy in the camera room! The way you connect with the viewer will be helped or hindered by how scared or how confident you feel. And we are generally more confident when we’re having fun. No, you won’t have to do the cheesy jumping shots or blow glitter; but include laughter and play as part of your shoot and you’ll see the difference in the way you shine in front of the camera.

Ready for an amazing experience that celebrates you? Contact me by phone or email for a free consultation and let’s begin to design your dream portrait session.

Cheers,

William