How to prepare.
Amazing photography doesn’t just happen, it does require some careful consideration including lighting, mood, pose and masterful post production. A great base makes this task easier, we take the guess work out of it for you with some tips below.
-
Glamour Clothing Suggestions
- Glamours: Bring along 4-5 full outfits including shoes, belts, jewellery, hats, scarves and accessories. Even facinators look great when clipped into your hair.
- Avoid bold patterns and unflattering neck lines.
- Glamours: Your outfits should include long sleeves and pants/jeans.
- For plus size clients it’s a good idea to keep to long sleeves and darker coloured clothing. Avoid patterns, prints and loose, baggy clothing as this can add size to your end results. Choose necklines that are flattering ie. v-neck line.
- Glamours: Lingerie is also a popular option, as is a nude shoot - there is no need to be shy as you will only be seen by Donna-Marie who of course is a professional in every sense of the word. You don't even have to be completely nude, bring along your g-string, it will be removed from the picture in post production.
- For a team shot to be taken at the end of your glamour shoot a black top and jeans looks GREAT.
- For family groups, wear the same or complementary colours for the group shots i.e. all in black. However, you may bring along your favourite outfit for individual shots.
-
Personal Grooming for your Glamour Shoot
- To help our make-over artist, please come along on the day with your hair freshly washed and dried with no product. This makes styling easier and your hair will look glossier under our lights.
- Please have no make-up on, including no mascara, your normal moisturiser is fine.
- Make sure your cut, colour, waxing or any other personal grooming requirements are done prior to your appointment.
- Finger and toe nails should be either freshly painted or all traces of nail polish removed.
-
FAMILY PORTRAIT Clothing Suggestions
- Avoid bold patterns and unflattering neck lines.
- For plus size clients it’s a good idea to keep to long sleeves and darker coloured clothing. Avoid patterns, prints and loose, baggy clothing as this can add size to your end results. Choose necklines that are flattering ie. v-neck line.
- For family groups, wear the same or complementary colours for the group shots i.e. colours from mid grey to black is great. Choose carefully so the colours are in the same half of the colour spectrum. This helps with a great looking end result.
- Again I emphasise, please do not dress your children in t-shirts with pictures and writing on the front. Stay with solid colours, not distracting images or words. Busy clothes date too quickly.
-
Children Portrait Sessions
- It’s a good idea to bring along food, drinks and entertainment to make your child's time here as comfortable as possible.
- Favourite toys are encouraged to be bought along as they can be used in the shoot as well as calming your child.
- Bring hair accessories for girls including clips, headbands and hair ties.
- I can not say this often enough, no pictures or words on the front of your children's clothing.
-
Props
- To make the shoot even more personal, you may wish to bring in props such as, musical instruments, skateboards, bike helmets, special jewellery, bar bells, costumes etc.
Special notes for Babies and Children.
The best time to schedule children’s portrait sessions and family gigs is during the time of day that they are most happy and responsive. You know your baby best... and we are only too happy to accommodate.
Clothing choices for babies are always better if they are kept simple. It is tempting to dress babies in pastel, but this has a tendency to give their face and skin a ‘washed out’ appearance, better with slightly bolder colors. Toddlers and young children look great in classic clothing such as simple dresses, bib overalls and bare feet please try and keep clear of “Slogan Tee’s” as they date very quickly. Feel free to bring several outfits and we can decide together what will photograph best.
We work quickly with children to catch them before they go off the boil and loose interest, however sometimes they need small necessary breaks they need to keep them happy - changing, feeding or just a little play break.
For those of you with babies; drool happens! Don’t worry about this too much we will remove the drool, and just about anything else you (or baby) can throw in post production.
If for some reason your child is simply not up for the task on the scheduled day, we can rebook for a different time/day at no extra charge. What is most important is that everyone is relaxed and comfortable and that you are completely happy with your final prints!