Tips to Plan and Prepare for Your Photoshoot
There are several things you can do to help ensure your photoshoot goes as smoothly as possible. I like to think of a photoshoot as puzzle pieces coming together. Depending on the type of photoshoot you are doing, it’s so important that things are planned and thought through well in advance so that on photoshoot day it’s just a matter of snapping those puzzle pieces together. Here are some things to take into consideration prior to your photoshoot.
Add a caption to images if needed
The Location
The location you choose for your photoshoot should reflect the style of photo and the overall look and feel you are hoping to achieve. Are you looking for something with beautiful buildings and architectural details in the background? Do you want to see more nature with lots of trees, flowers & gardens? Or do you want an indoor studio with white walls and modern furniture? These are just a few of the questions your photographer will ask you to help determine which location will suite you best and contribute to the end result that you are looking for.
Outfit choices
I highly recommend soft neutral tones for photoshoots. Avoid prints and stripes or anything that could be distracting and takes the focus away from the subject (you). For families, it’s always great to wear colours that coordinate instead of everyone wearing the same colour. For Branding sessions, I again recommend keeping colours neutral but absolutely try throwing in some of your branding colours to keep things cohesive and fun.
Pick clothing styles that are flattering, something that you feel confident in and can move around fairly easy in. Try your outfit on several times before your photoshoot to make sure it fits well and that you look and feel your best in it.
Inspiration & Moodboards
Here is where the creativity flows. There has to be some form of inspiration or ideas put together for a photoshoot. Think of it like this, when you are baking a cake, before you start baking you already know what flavour you are going to make, you know what colour icing you will use and you know what ingredients you will use to achieve those colours and flavours. A photoshoot is the same. Its important to communicate your ideas and your vision with your photographer. Your photographer can then put a moodboard together for your photoshoot. Some photoshoots that are more candid in nature in most cases don’t require a moodboard. But at the very least, your photographer should have an idea of what you love and what you don’t care too much for. I welcome and encourage my clients to send me as many inspiration photos as they can. Pinterest, Instagram, magazines and even google will be your best friend when it comes to finding that visual inspiration. All of this makes sure you are on the same page and your photographer can get you the results that you want.
Hair & Makeup
I highly recommend investing in getting your hair and makeup professionally done. It not only gives you a confidence boost but also elevates your overall look. Even if you don’t typically wear makeup, a professional makeup artist will help to highlight your beauty in such a way that looks natural so that you still look and feel like yourself. Makeup artists get booked well in advance so be sure to reach out to your favourite with plenty of notice. Im always here to help with recommendations for wonderful makeup artists in your area.
Arrive on time
Always reconfirm the photoshoot location and address to make sure you have it correct and plan ahead for traffic and parking. It’s always better to be early so that you can start your photoshoot feeling relaxed vs rushing through traffic and feeling stressed, sweaty and flustered by the time you arrive which can absolutely affect your mood throughout the shoot.
What to bring with you
In addition to your getting ready items (for hair & makeup touch ups) and your outfit(s) if you have someone who can tag along with you to provide you with assistance in anyway, such as helping you carry and organize your outfits, helping you change and get ready or even just to help bring out your most authentic smile, absolutely bring them along if the space allows.
Family Photoshoots
The key to having a family photoshoot go well is to completely let go of all expectations. Some days kids are in a great mood and they cooperate really well, other days they want no part of it. In those moments where kids don’t want to sit still and pose, I always follow their lead and make the shoot as playful and fun as possible for them. The result of this is usually beautiful candid photos that are authentic.
I always encourage parents to try and time naps and snacks around the photoshoot to make sure your kids aren’t hungry or too tired. If bribes are your thing then absolutely let them know there is a special treat afterwards (aka ICE-CREAM!!!)
If your child takes a pacifier that they don’t want to let out of sight, I highly recommend bringing one that is plain and neutral in colour. If bringing a toy might help to soothe them, I recommend bringing wooden toys or toys that have minimal colours, these show up beautifully in photos.
I hope these tips were helpful and I hope to see you soon for your photography needs.
Meet Chia Ndiaye
(pronounced en-ji)
Chia was born in London, England and studied at the London College of Fashion. She has a degree in fashion buying and merchandising and worked in the fashion industry for several years until life beautifully led her into photography which has become a very important part of her every day. There is some fashion influence that can be seen in her photography work and creative style.