So you've booked a date for your portraits...now what? Well, believe it or not, we photographers aren't alone in doing the work - you have some preparing to do. Here are a few pointers on things you can think about and plan for before picture day:

Expression

Practice often and well. There is no rule that says you have to smile. Some portraits really pop with a serious expression, and if you are getting headshots taken for a business, a smile may not even be appropriate. Check with your employer for guidance. Sometimes no smile is better than a toothy grin! When you don't smile, the viewer's attention is drawn instead to the eyes, which can be more expressive than the mouth. Also, a practiced expression does not mean a rehearsed one. It’s important to be relaxed so the photographer can elicit a natural expression from you, not one that is forced. Just take some deep breaths, relax, have a good time and be confident that the photographer will capture your best images!

Posture

Bad posture = bad photos. If you slouch, you will look tired, bored, sick, and generally just not your best self. Standing or sitting upright with a straight spine, relaxed shoulders (don’t shrug them up to your ears), chin up – all of these things work wonders and you will shine with confidence in your portraits. A good photographer will cue you on how to stand, sit, kneel, tilt your head/chin, position your arms, etc., but having great posture makes his/her job easier and goes a long way toward improving how you look in your photos.

Props

Depending on the type of shoot, props give your photos personality. Pinterest is a great place of ideas (isn't it always?!). Examples include a bike/motorcycle, sentimental piece of jewelry, musical instrument, handcrafted sign, favorite book, trophy, uniform, sports equipment, pet, your favorite flowers, sunglasses, a parasol, etc. Even little accessories can really give your portraits a zing – a hat or scarf can add some dimension and fun to your photos.

Clothing

For the most part, this is up to you and also depends on the look you are going for. Avoid clothing with a lot of spandex (sunlight can reflect off of this material, giving it a see-through quality). If it is an outdoor shoot, keep your location in mind and wear colors that will help you “pop” out of the background. For example, if your photo shoot will be in a grassy park, stay away from wearing greens – too much green can be overpowering and the focus will be on the color and the background, not you. Neutrals are great if they complement your skin tone. Bold, vibrant colors can be fun. Patterns are also fun. If it’s going to be a windy day, stay away from a breezy skirt or dress or you may be too self-conscious about keeping it from billowing up around you to be able to relax, have a good time, and present your most natural, vibrant personality in your photos. Wear comfortable shoes. That doesn’t mean they have to be frumpy. Just be prepared to stand/walk in them.

Good side

Many people have what they refer to as their “good side.” At the 2018 Imaging USA convention, on the Canon Live Learning Stage, I believe it was Peter Hurley (but don’t quote me on that – it could have been Lindsay Adler or one of the other many amazing photographers/speakers I saw) who explained that this is a real thing. Faces are not always completely symmetrical and some people are very self-aware – they know immediately what side they want toward the camera. Often, it’s the side your hair parts naturally on. If you’re wondering if you have a “good” side or a “bad” side, take a look at previous pictures of you (hooray for social media!) and look for a trend – do you tend to turn to one particular side in most photos? Do you look awkward in the other photos? Ask a trusted friend to give an opinion. For me, my nose is a little crooked. For real. It’s very slight…you have to be extremely close up to notice it. But I have noticed when I turn my head to one particular side, it’s a little more noticeable and my nose is not as straight in profile. Trust me – it took MANY years for me to realize this.

Least Liked Feature

We all have one. Well, most of us do. I won’t tell you mine. But it’s there. I have tried for years to minimize it, to change it, to disguise it… So, if you have one, let your photographer know. It might be something he or she can work with to make you feel a little less worried about it becoming the focal point of your portraits.

Goal

Let your photographer know what your vision is. Ask to go out for coffee (who doesn’t love coffee?!) so you can discuss your ideas. Create a Pinterest board (I do this all the time!!!) so that you can quickly share your vision with your photographer. Just be open to guidance and suggestions – some visions need a little tweaking due to light conditions/weather/backgrounds, etc. We don’t want to tell you that your idea isn’t possible, but a photo with you surrounded by exotic zoo animals or a dozen white stallions probably isn’t going to happen. Even with Photoshop. Sorry.

So, you have your homework. Hopefully you have time to prepare! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.