For the Girls


Here are a few tips that you can consider when preparing:


Skin - Skip the sun! IF a tan is important to you, consider getting a spray tan a couple days before your shoot. Unless you have been working on your tan all summer, a lot of sun right before your photoshoot could lead to red, sun burnt or peely skin. Neither are very attractive.


Hair - This should be whatever makes you feel your best. Try not to do anything bold and brand new before your photoshoot. Keep to what matches your style. 


Makeup - Avoid the glitters and sparkles as much as possible. These tend to come out uneven and splotchy in photos because of how the light hits our skin. Natural makeup tends to look the best, but keep to what matches your style. Bring a back up face powder to reapply throughout the session, in case it gets too warm/hot during the shoot. We can avoid a shiny face with reapplying face powder.


Nails - If you need that acrylic or gel fill, consider making the appt before your photoshoot. That way they will be fresh and look great before your pictures. Try to have the polish compliment your outfits that you have chosen, if the outfits are completely different, consider a neutral color. 


Teeth - Some of my clients like to do a simple teeth whitening before their shoot.


Clothes - Avoid logos and heavy patterns in your outfits. (Aside from a college shirt). Your facial features should do the talking and not your clothes. Simple clothes with solid colors or muted patterns tend to help draw attention to your face. Be aware of tops that show bra straps. Consider neutral colored or strapless bras. If you have a fun flowy dress that you like, those usually photograph really well. Flowy dresses create a lot of movement in a picture and can really add fun to your images.


Choose 3 different outfits - The first should be casual, the second should be dressy and the third should be something centered around your personality like sports, hobby and/or college you will be attending.


Casual Examples:

  • Jeans and a cute top or blouse.
  • A flowy sundress and a light denim jacket with nice sandals or a simple wedge.
  • Shorts romper and a wedge heel

Dressy Examples:

  • A black pair of pants with a slim fit colored crew neck sweater, heels/dress shoes
  • Dark denim jeans with a slim fit colored tee and a black blazer, heels/dress shoes
  • A structured dress with a simple neckline, heels/dress shoes
  • Pants romper or jumpsuit

Personality Examples:

  • A sports outfit like a basketball uniform or dance costume, complete with ball and dance shoes.
  • A musical instrument or hobby related items like paints or a book.
  • If you are super into fashion, perhaps you want to pick a trendier look for your final outfit to really show your style of the time.


Jewelry and Accessories - I like to go for the "less is more" simple pieces. Again, we want the focus to be on your facial features and personality over big, bulky jewelry that can take away from that. Also remove any hair ties or scrunchies around your wrists.

For the Guys


Here are a few tips that you can consider when preparing:



Hair - A trim before your pictures is a great idea to help you feel your best. Try to avoid anything too drastic and brand new. Keep your hair to whatever matches your style. If your hair is on the longer side, consider a gel or hairspray to help keep it from falling in your eyes.


Facial Hair - A good clean shave is always ideal before your shoot. Try to avoid razor burn as much as possible. If facial hair is part of your look make sure it's neatly cared for. These details will go a long way in making your pictures look great.


Teeth - Some of my clients like to do a simple teeth whitening before their shoot.


Nails - It's ideal to make sure your nails are clean and trimmed. 


Clothes - Avoid logos and heavy patterns in your outfits. (Aside from a college shirt). Your facial features should do the talking and not your clothes. Simple clothes with solid colors or muted patterns tend to help draw attention to your face.


Choose 3 different outfits - The first should be casual, the second should be dressy and the third should be something centered around your personality like sports, hobby and/or college you will be attending.


Casual examples: 

  • Jeans and t-shirt with an open buttoned shirt on top, a tennis shoe (non-athletic)
  • A pair of khaki shorts and a polo shirt with low profile tennis shoes or boat shoes
  • Light pair of pants with a denim button up shirt with sleeves rolled up

Dressy examples:

  • A crew neck sweater with a dark pair of pants, dress shoes
  • Dark denim jeans and a V-neck tee with a blazer, dress shoes
  • Black pants and a colored button up shirt, dress shoes

Personality examples:

  • A sports outfit like a basketball uniform or dance costume, complete with ball and dance shoes.
  • A musical instrument or hobby related items like paints or a book.
  • If you are super into fashion, perhaps you want to pick a trendier look for your final outfit to really show your style of the time.