Portrait Preparation Guide
Welcome to my secret little guide to help you prepare for our upcoming photoshoot!

In this little guide, I'll walk you through some tips to help prepare your outfits and to make the most of the shoot.
Choosing an Outfit
Let's face it: portraits are about the "money-maker" (your face).

"But what should I wear?"
Your outfit is important in framing your features and signalling your identity.
We aim to strike a balance between expressing your personality without the garment stealing the show.

Colour harmony, texture and a good fit are key to the success of a portrait, and while personal style is subjective, certain principles can help us out in a pinch.

There's always room for something new and exciting, so treat the following as a guide instead of hard and fast rules – especially if there's something iconic to your brand, culture or personal style that we need to celebrate!
Garments and Textures
I recommend
- Denim, leather, wool, knits, twills, corduroy
- Plain coloured shirts 
- Knitwear and turtle necks
- Jackets and coats
- Stylish caps, hats, berets and beanies
- Dresses
Avoid
- Heavily branded items
- Graphic prints
- Distracting patterns
- Neon colours
- Velvety textures
- Highly reflective materials

If we can avoid the distractions, you have free reign to bring whichever outfits you like.
 Colour
I currently use a roll of raw canvas as my backdrop. It's a neutral colour that, with a bit of light and photoshop, gives me a flexible base for all skin tones and various garments.

I've found the three colours below to be the most flattering and reliable:
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Backdrop Colours
In each of these shots, the face commands your attention, supported by the harmony of colours in the image.
You can check out my portfolio for more examples!
Ol' Faithful Wardrobe Palette​​​​​​​
I recommend a base outfit of neutral tones like black, white, grey, beige, khaki / camel, navy and olive.

Oranges, crimson, maroon, light blues and mustards are also great additions.

This little palette that I've refined over the years has never let me down:

Having said this, I'm always pleasantly surprised by a new colour and to take a few risks – so please bring along items that you think are bold and represent you!
Make-up
For headshots, make-up is best done sparingly with naturalistic hues to show off your features.

Rest assured – should you have any blemishes on the day, these will be touched up in Photoshop.

If you want to go beyond this, it's worth hiring a make-up artist you trust to join us on the day for two reasons: 
1. Applying make-up can be stressful between outfit changes.
2. It's difficult to correct mistakes after the fact.
It's worth investing in a good makeup artist to explore a few additional looks. If you choose to hire one, please let me know in advance so we can ensure we provide them enough time to work before the shoot.
Getting your head in the game
I'm a photographer who revels in spontaneity and forming a unique connection with each of my clients. 

This can be easier said than done. All sorts of things happening in our lives might make us feel uncomfortable in front of the camera or struggle to connect with the moment.

Trust me, I know these feelings all too well, and I've got your back. 
Here are my only three rules for headshot sessions:

1. Whenever you're feeling stuck, imagine a goal, dream, person or thing that sparks you with energy. 
2. If you want to try something, do it!
3. No fake smiles – don't do it if it's not real. 

That's it!
From there, it's my job to guide you through the session, explore ways to tell your story and share your vision with the world. (No pressure.)
The rest you will have to find out on the day!

Should you have any questions or need a second opinion on your outfits, you're welcome to ask any time via Instagram, WhatsApp or email. 


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