Take this preparation document as guidelines and ideas to help make your session go smoother and help me get your pictures back to you faster.
Some people ask about spray tanning, I’m ok with this, but just remember that I often boost saturation in the final images. By boosting the saturation, skin tones become deeper and spray tans can become orange. If you would like to get a spray tan for the shoot, please don’t go too dark.
Day Before the Shoot
Hydrate – Hydrating can help you in a number of ways. Drinking lots of water will help your skin look great and reduce any bags / sags. It’ll also help you from cramping if you’re holding a difficult pose for an extended period of time.
Shaving / Waxing – While this doesn’t have to done the day before, it is a good idea to do it enough time in advance so that any red bumps, razor burn, or cuts have time to subside. You also don’t want to go too long so that the hair becomes visible again.
Moisturize – Similar to hydration, moisturizing will help keep your skin looking great! Doing this before bed is a good idea as it is closer to the day of the shoot. Make sure you get all areas that may be photographed!
Sleep – Getting a good night’s sleep is a really good idea. It helps to ensure you have lots of energy for the shoot, that you look alert (and good). It can get tiring standing and modeling for hours, so this can really help!
Shoot Day
Shower – Make sure you look and feel your best for the shoot. A lot of people find that showers help wake them up and make them feel great! If you are using my contact for your hair, she prefers you not wash your hair for styling.
Moisturize – Moisturizing again the day of the shoot will help rejuvenate your skin, firm it up, and help remove any dry spots — along with the previous benefits too!
Pre-Shoot Attire – When you arrive for the shoot, you should be wearing clothing that does not give you skin indentations (like the ones socks and underwear give you). Choose something that is loose, warm, and comfortable. Also, by changing into your shoot outfit, you can be sure that you haven’t made it dirty in traveling to the location.
Shoot Attire – When choosing clothing for your shoot, please make sure that it fits properly and is flattering on you. Clothes that is too small or that is falling off you may not work well for your pictures, unless that’s the idea for the shoot.
Shoes – I make a specific point about shoes and footwear because it’s important. I ask that you make sure your footwear is clean and free of stickers / glue. Many times, my locations have carpet or paper backgrounds which are difficult to wash, so clean shoes help prevent this maintenance. The other aspect of shoes which is important is that they fit properly. Shoes that are too big (or too small) can come across as unprofessional and I strive to keep all aspects of this experience professional.
Eating / Snacks – Remember to eat something or back some snacks for your shoot — especially if it’s long. Stopping a few minutes to eat is far better than you looking distracted because you’re hungry in your pictures. Just refrain from saucy food, like spaghetti. :p
Using my Makeup / Hair Artist?
We ask that you do two things for the Makeup Artist.
First, when you show up for the shoot, make sure you’re not wearing any makeup and that your face is clean. Bring along your own concealer and foundation. Also, if you have a particular moisturizer you use you can bring that as well.
Secondly, if you’re getting your hair done by the makeup artist, please wash it and don’t style it the day before. The makeup artist prefers to work with clean hair the day after it’s been washed. So please, don’t style the day before, just blow dry.
Boudoir Clients
The items above about clothes, skin indentations and shaving really apply to you. Since you’ll be showing mostly skin, it’s a good idea to have it as close to perfect as possible because it’ll help speed up editing time. Also, here are some other tips geared more toward you.
Makeup Blending – If you are doing your own make up, make sure that you blend your facial makeup into your neck and chest so that the transition between the two is natural. If you want, you can use makeup on your body to help it blend.
Fitted Clothes – I’m reiterating this one for you because I think it’s probably a little more important for you. Please make sure the outfits you have are ones that you’re comfortable in. Since you’re doing a shoot where you have little on, make sure you’re ok with that little bit. Also, make sure you fill out or fit into your outfits — it’s difficult fixing these things afterward and it looks better when it fits correctly.
Bikini / Beach CLIENTS
The items above about clothes, skin indentations and shaving really apply to you. Since you’ll be showing mostly skin, it’s a good idea to have it as close to perfect as possible because it’ll help speed up editing time. Also, here are some other tips geared more toward you.
Makeup Blending – If you are doing your own make up, make sure that you blend your facial makeup into your neck and chest so that the transition between the two is natural. If you want, you can use makeup on your body to help it blend. The other think to note here is that you use waterproof makeup. If we’re going to be in and around the water, we really can’t afford to have makeup running or smudging because of water. Also, ensure you bring extra.
Fitted Clothes – I’m reiterating this one for you because I think it’s probably a little more important for you. Please make sure the bikinis you have are ones that you’re comfortable in. Since you’re doing a shoot where you have little on, make sure you’re ok with that little bit. Also, make sure you fill out or fit into your bikinis — it’s difficult fixing these things afterward and it looks better when it fits correctly.
Sun Screen – Make sure you bring sunscreen with you as we don’t want you to burn or get heat stroke while out in the sun. Again, this should also be water proof and clear. It’s possible that oil may also be used, so we’ll have to have extras to re-apply.
Towel – Bring your own beach towel in case you get wet. Make sure you’re ok with getting oil / sunscreen on this towel.
Water – Bring water / hydration, we don’t want any heat strokes or exhaustion due to dehydration.
Cover / Shawl – Something to cover up in during downtime / between shots. It may also act as a prop.
Other Items – Feel free to bring other beach items like Sunglasses, Sunhats, Sandles, etc. All of which will be both useful and can be a prop.