Portrait Photography Session Tips:

Flash Factor Photography is a portrait photographer in Savannah, Georgia.  Although I am based in Georgia, I love to travel and am open to photography adventures worldwide. 

​Below you will find some tips and recommendations in preparing for your Flash Factor Photography portrait photography session.  After all, it's about capturing you at your best!  Don't stress, simply prepare and come relaxed to have fun at your photo session to get some fantastic pictures.  Multiple looks with provide you with a variety of great final images.  Think casual but NOT too casual. Think total outfit from top to bottom meaning hair, top, bottoms, jewelry, and shoes!  

GENERAL ADVICE:

• Hair - If you’re getting a haircut for your shoot, do so one to two weeks beforehand, just in case it goes wrong – you just never know.  For men, a fresh haircut a couple of days before the shoot is fine.
• Hair accessories – If we’re shooting outdoors, be ready to put your hair up and make it look nice in case of a windy day. Bring bobby pins, hair clips, headbands or any other favorite accessories.  It never hurts to be prepared!
• Glasses – If folks wouldn’t recognize you without glasses, you want to wear glasses in your shoot – however, the glare on glasses can detract from your eyes in photos. You can have your lenses removed from your frames for your shoot (don’t worry, it’s what Hollywood does to avoid glare in movies), ask your eye doctor to loan you a pair of similar frames, or you can also visit an inexpensive company online and buy a suitable pair of duplicate frames on the cheap.
• Red eyes – Visine is your friend. Not getting drunk the night before your shoot helps, too. 
• Lips – You will probably wipe or lick your lips during your shoot, so bring fresh lip gloss or lipstick to do touch-up. Use lip balm for a few days in advance of your shoot to make your lips look their best.
• Teeth – If you want to brighten your smile, start your treatments about two weeks before your shoot.
• Breakouts – Don’t cake on a lot of make-up to try to hide blemishes – it’s almost always easier to edit away pimples with software than to clean up overdone make-up.
• Make-up – A subtle application of make-up can really soften your skin and accent your facial features. But make sure you know what you’re doing, and make sure it matches your skin tone, or your face may look orange compared to the rest of your body.
• Facial hair – Men, be freshly shaved (never hurts to use a new razor, shaving cream and a moisturizing after-shave lotion to avoid bumps and redness).  Trim up your beard, sideburns, moustache or goatee, especially looking for wiry stray hairs.  Same goes for nose hairs. 
• Moisturizer – Dry skin can really detract from a great photo shoot.  Start moisturizing nightly a week in advance of your shoot.  When you get out of the shower, dry off until lightly damp, and slather on moisturizer.  Focus on your arms, shoulders, neck, face, hands, anywhere you’ll be exposed to the camera.  This includes your legs if you’re shooting in shorts or a skirt.  
• Nails – A fresh coat of nail polish will make a world of difference in your photo shoot. Pick a neutral color that won’t distract in your shoot or clash with your outfits. Freshen the morning of the shoot, and then be careful not to scuff it while prepping. If you don’t have time to paint make sure your nails look tidy and clean, including the cuticles.
• Sunburns and tan lines – If your shoot is booked for Saturday, don’t go to the beach on Friday. If you plan to tan before your shoot, do so at least a week beforehand and don’t get burned.  Be mindful of clothing tan lines, sunglass tan lines, hat tan lines, etc.
• Ironing – If you iron, iron the night before and then hang the clothes for your shoot. If you’re wearing something that wrinkles easily, don’t wear it in the car on the way to the shoot – just change at the location.
• Shoes – Ladies, you can’t go wrong in heels or wedges. It is not only a great look but helps you with posture too.  Men, dress shoes are best, a quick clean up or polish is always nice!  Wear your favorite tennis shoes (wiped clean) for your casual fun look!

Below are some specific suggestions for certain types of shoots.

MATERNITY:

• Moisturize that belly!
• Gather your props to bring along - ultrasound printout, alphabet blocks that spell your baby's name, baby shoes, stuffed animals, flowers, whatever you've seen in other maternity photo's that you like.
• Wear whatever you feel comfortable and pretty in - long, flowy skirts, solid color's are nice.  Tube dresses are great for showing off your shape.  If you plan on showing your belly be sure to wear clothing that won't leave impression marks.  A button-up shirt also makes it easy to transition into showing your belly.
• Your family/partner should coordinate outfits with what you'll be wearing.  The focus should always be on you, your expressions, your emotions, your personality, your joy, and your connection.

NEWBORNS/BABIES:

• Use a wash cloth to clean away flaky skin and eye gunk.
• Trim those tiny fingernails and toenails with appropriate baby trimmers.
• Book your shoot around your baby's feeding and nap times, work with the natural rhythm of your baby.  The most perfect time to shoot is right when the baby would be laying down for a nap.  If your baby normall falls asleep after a feeding, wait to feed the baby until you're at the photo shoot. 
• Dress up paper diapers.  Cloth diapers are classy and stylish, but if you don't use them, bring bloomers or decorative diaper covers, solids preferred.
• Any outfit works for a newborn.  Accessories like hats, headbands, etc. are good.
• If your baby takes a pacifier, bring it - if they're bottle fed, bring an extra bottle to help put the baby to sleep.

CHILDREN:

• The cleaner the child, the better their photos will turn out.  E.g. nails, hair, face, and feet (Note: sandals on small children = black feet).
• If your child is still in diapers or pull-ups, tuck them in or wear bloomers.
• If your child is still of napping age, make sure they nap before the shoot.
• Avoid colorful drinks or lollypops within 24-hours of your photo session.  Don't eat or drink anything that will stain face, teeth or mouths.
• Wardrobe - for children, note that you don't have to match perfectly, simply coordinate.  You can't go wrong with dark, rich monotones, which drive the attention in photos to sweet faces and darling expressions instead of loud prints or colors.  If nothing else, pick a color that compliments your child's eye color.

FAMILIES:

• Best family advice is to coordinate!
• For wardrobe, go for jeans or pants, tucked polo or dress shirt with a belt, or go casual with just a t-shirt or untucked polo, button-up short sleeve, etc.  Again, everyone doesn't have to match perfectly, just wear something that coordinates.
• If wearing jewelry, aim for subtlety, and be aware of it twisting or turning.
  

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS:

• First, think FUN! Plan your outfits ahead of time.  I am happy to consult with you on outfit ideas.
  
• NOTE: An outfit that is NOT flattering will RUIN your session results.  For this reason, I HIGHLY SUGGEST not to wear a SACK/TENT DRESS.
• Do not limit yourself to one look.  Also, be mindful if outside of the studio that your outfit matches the season.
• Think accessories!  I like to say, "BRING THE BLING!" This could be a necklace, bracelet, scarf, watch, pocket square...
• Be mindful of colors and patterns.  Be sure to wear colors that compliment your skin tone and eyes!
• Undergarments: Key point to consider is that based on the type of top/dress you have the right undergarment for that item.  E.g., Backless top/dress with a normal bra, be sure to wear a sticky bra in this case. 
• Bring a variety of outfits. I recommend at least five different looks: usually this comes down to three totally different complete outfits from top to bottom.  Take one or two of those outfits and change a top and shoes for a totally different look to give yourself more looks.  Outfits can be like locations, sometimes one just doesn't work for some reason.  Mix it up for best results!  Keep in mind the length of time for your photo session, one doesn't want to spend half their time changing into seven different outfits and be left with fewer images.  In my experience, for an average session 3-5 looks is usually sufficient.  Below you will find some outfit ideas.  It is also important to have at least a couple different type of outfits meaning shorts outfit, jeans outfit, dress outfit, gown...
  
  • ​Outfit 1: Find something you love and feel pretty in when wearing it.
  • Outfit 2: Something casual but not too casual.  Stylish jeans with a dressy top. Layer something on top for a totally different look too.
  • Outfit 3: Something dressy but doesn't have to be formal.
  • Outfit 4: Spinoff of Outfit 2 but change it up.  For example, a rocker t-shirt and Chuck Taylor Converse tennis shoes.
  • Outfit 5: Something you wouldn't wear on a daily basis. E.g., a gorgeous flowing ball gown.  
•  Bring props that recall your high school years - band instrument, sports gear like a volleyball/soccer ball/baseball glove/bat, letter jacket, your car, cap and gown, and/or sunglasses.  Most of all represent YOUR style, whatever that may be.  Your senior photo should be unique to your life and personality.
• Ladies
  
  • Nail polish: Be sure to clean and apply a fresh coat of polish to your nails (hands AND feet if you're going barefoot or wearing open toed shoes).
  • Makeup:  Stay with more of a simple look with neutral colors to enhance your facial features.  Avoid colors that are too harsh or dramatic of a look.  
  • Eyebrows: Take a look at your eyebrows.  If you need a trim, pluck or wax - DO NOT do so that day of or day before your session.  Plan ahead, at least two to three days beforehand.
• Gentlemen:
  • Shaving: Be sure to shave.  If you have a beard, great!  Just be sure to shave those edge lines for a much cleaner look.
  • Eyebrows: Take a look at your eyebrows.  If you need a trim, pluck or wax - DO NOT do so the day of or day before your photo session.  Plan ahead, at least two to three days beforehand.