Helpful tips for your Photoshoot
THINK ABOUT DRESS CODE AND WHAT IMAGE YOU WANT TO CONVEY
Consider your clothing and colours carefully and find out what colour and background textures are available during your portrait session. What colours will you wear on the day Neutral Soft such as pastels, cream, oatmeal, pale blue & grey and subtle tones or bright primary colour such as red blue and green. Perhaps something different likes purples or oranges. To a certain extent its down to personal tastes but always ask if in doubt. Props such as hats, scarfs and other accessories can add to a portrait if chosen correctly
FIND A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER
It is very important to have your photographs taken by a professional who knows what they are doing and will deliver beautiful images. Recommendation from friends and family is important. Photographers with a web site and references are a helpful indication but must be followed up by a phone call or personal contact. Do not solely rely on electronic or Internet contact.
RELAX AND JUST HAVE FUN
Perhaps the best photos are the candid ones of you being a family and yourself, rather than the posed formal ones. It is always best to get a mix on the day as the whole session can go so quickly and it is difficult to remember everything on the day. Quite often the most liked photographs are the ones where everyone is engaged or interacting with each other and not necessarily looking at the camera. Try not to focus too much on what you want the result to be and just enjoy the experience. A good professional photographer will always guide you when appropriate and offer advice.
MAKE SURE YOU GET PLENTY OF REST – PAMPER YOURSELF
Try to avoid scheduling a photo-shoot around your child’s nap or bedtime. You will always get better results with children after they have been fed a meal or snack. As for parents treat yourself to a hair appointment or pamper session at your local salon. Some photographers can offer a make over session but again this should be discussed in advance
LET THE CHILDREN PLAY
I soon realised that it is the children who are in charge and we normally let them run the show up to a point probably for the first 20 minutes or so. We then follow with bribery and gentle persuasion, which normally works. Make sure you have their favourite toy or object with them and get mum or dad to stand behind the photographer. This will work for a while but be prepared to try something different and be one step ahead. It is not always important to have children looking straight into the lens in fact many of my favourite images have them looking away. Try to create some interesting angles as otherwise images can look flat which is unattractive
StephenCain | Photography
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