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All creative ideas need to be discussed with a photographer before the photo session. You need to be prepared with any special props the day of the photo session. If you are artistic, Bringing a pencil sketch of your idea is a good way of visualizing it for your creative idea. Please bring these ideas with you to share with your photographer.
SPECIAL CONCERNS
FRIENDS
Having your friends in your photos is part of the fun of the senior portrait. The main thing to remember is that they are only part of your overall senior portrait session, here are some helpful hints to assist you with this part of your photography session.
1. Ask when they should be at the session. If they are going to be part of your indoor session, they should be at the studio when you arrive. The only exception is if your session is going to include makeup. If they are going to appear in the outdoor part of your session they should arrive ½ hour after your session starts.
2. Sometimes friends do and say things that can make you uncomfortable during the photo sessions so ask them to leave after their photo shoot is over, or wait in the studio for you.
3. A boyfriend/girlfriend watching the photo session will sometimes prevent you from relaxing with the photo session. There have been times when they actually have brought a senior to tears because things aren’t going the way they want. Avoid this problem by asking them to leave after their photo session, or wait in the studio.
4. This is your day so we suggest your photos with friends be limited to 2-3. If you want more photographs taken than this, it may be best to schedule an appointment just for you and your friend, or friends.
COLLECTIONS AND SPECIAL PROPS
Collections are part of you and they show your involvement in extra activities, your own unique style. We suggest you pick these props with care, bringing everything you own doesn’t make for the best photograph. Frequently you can show the same idea with only a couple of items. Too much in your photograph will take away from you and clutter a great pose.
HAIR
1. Avoid changing to a new hair style at least 2 weeks prior to your photo session. If you don’t like it, then you may have to wait before it grows to a manageable length.
2. Do not cut or change your hairstyle after your photo session either until you have had the opportunity to view your proofs. Costly mistake!
3. Bring your hair care products to the studio with you. Changes in hair styles are permitted as long as they can be done in 5 minutes or less. Time you spend in the dressing room is taking from your photo session.
4. Hair spray can help tame those stray hairs that can ruin a good photograph.
5. The photographer is not a hair stylist and they will not tell you if your hair doesn’t look quite right. It is your responsibility to look in the mirror while still in the dressing room. Check yourself closely before going into the camera room.
6. If your hair style is the type that is suppose to hang over the eye, please let the photographer know. It is hard to know what everyone likes and dislikes. If the photographer keeps moving your hair from your eye please let him know that its okay to hang there.
7. Any adjusting to your hair style by the photographer is only to help you look your best in the finished photograph.
JEWELRY
1. FLAT JEWELRY ( Ex. HERRINGBONE NECKLACES) WILL RUIN A GOOD PORTRAIT. It reflects light and is very expensive to remove. Keep necklaces to the chain type and of a smaller style.
2. Pearls are still great with a sweater for traditional poses.
3. Hanging jewelry in a baggie then on the hanger with the clothing that you have chosen to wear is a good idea.
4. Don’t forget your earrings. Earrings should go with the clothing style you pick. Large earrings don’t look proportional to your facial features in the traditional poses.
5. Gold or Silver, of course, is your choice. Certain skin tones will look better with one over the other.
GLASSES
1. Glass glare can ruin a great photograph, and sometimes the glass will distort your eye shape, (mostly this applies to outdoor sessions, indoor sessions we control the lighting therefore glare is not a problem).
2. If possible, visit your eye doctor and ask to borrow a pair of empty frames to have your outdoor photographs taken in. You can return them after the photo session.
3. Please be aware that tinted glasses may darken in your outdoor session, and stay dark throughout your indoor session. Advise us so that we can do the indoor studio session first.
CONTACT LENSES
1. If you want to use a fan to blow your hair in a photograph the wearing of contact lenses may make yours eyes very sensitive to wind. It may be wise to remove them during the shoot.
2. Make-up application may irritate your eyes, so be prepared to remove your contacts until after the make-up demonstration.
3. Contact lenses rarely show in a photograph, but colored lenses can add a great deal of color to your eye.
COMPLEXION
1. If you can look in the mirror from a distance of 24” and see a blemish, there is a good chance that you will see it in the finished photograph.
2. A blemish should not be reason enough to cancel an appointment. Each pose that you order from will be retouched and these blemishes will not show.
4. If you have an oily complexion, powder may be helpful. A matte finish is what you are looking for. It photographs much better.
SUNBURN
1. The redness from the sun will photograph. Do not take excessive sun days before a photo session. Allow it to tone down by at least one week before a photo session.
2. Pealing is a problem that is hard to correct. Coupled with red skin, it becomes a severe problem.
3. Severe sunburn is reason to reschedule.
A TAN AND STRAP MARKS
1. A sun tan is a great addition to your photograph but with that come strap marks. Of course thinking ahead you can vary the type of top that you wear and prevent the problem in the first place.
2. Over tanning will dry out your skin and actually age its appearance. Tan in moderation.
TATTOO
1. The main thing that needs to be discussed about a tattoo is of course whether or not you want it to be seen in the photograph. Please advise your photographer so he will know your feelings about your tattoo.
FACIAL SCARS
1. Please let us know whether a visible scar is something that you would like to have retouched or not. A retouch artist always wonders whether or not you want them to show or not.
BRACES
1. Most everyone likes to have a few poses taken that shows their teeth. If you have braces please practice smiling naturally. Sometimes we find students are so self conscious of their braces that they smile and try not to show their teeth. This makes a very awkward look to a portrait.
2. Don’t worry about the braces showing because with the technology today they can be removed in your finished portrait order(depending on the type of braces), if you have any concerns please call us to discuss it further.