Prepare to Have Your Picture Taken
by Joelle Steele
I’ve been taking all kinds of photographs since I was a teenager, many of people. For three years while I lived in southern California, I also had a part-time business called Hollywood Hot Shots, in which I did head shots “for the stars of tomorrow.” Head shots are bland photos – no makeup, just bare bones of the face. I found that pretty boring, so I also did a lot of non-head shot portraits. But I never wanted my portraits to look like they were shot at a walk-in photo place in a mall. I wanted my portraits to truly reflect the personality of the subject. So I shot mostly on location – living rooms, offices, back yards, parks, beaches, etc. Whatever made them feel happy and energized.
Over the years, many people told me how unhappy they were with previous portraits that they showed me. Their explanation was always, “I don’t photograph well.” But I could immediately see that they simply didn’t know how to prepare themselves to have their portraits taken. So, I always advised clients on what to wear and I helped them with accessories and often did their makeup for them. Nowadays, I just give clients the following instructions to help them get ready to be photographed, and now I’m sharing these tips with you.
Location. If we’re going to take your picture outdoors, the best day to do it is when it’s overcast. Sunny days are gorgeous, and they are certainly not off limits to photography. But, in portraiture they can make you squint your eyes, they tend to create a lot of reflections, they can bleach out colors, and they also create a lot of deep shadows.
Clothing. Pick something that reflects your personality, but avoid colors and prints that will showcase your clothing and not your face. Loud patterns such as plaids, giant florals, broad stripes, etc., especially in bright colors, have a tendency to put the emphasis on your clothes and not on YOU. Feel free to wear them, but in most cases, your photo will showcase you in a better light if you stick to subtle colors or smaller prints.
Jewelry. Everyone loves a little bling, but enough is enough. Pick a few of your favorite pieces and leave it at that.
Hair. If you just had your hair cut, wait about two weeks before you have your portrait done. I have had many cancellations over the years when a haircut the day before a shoot didn’t turn out exactly as anticipated. Otherwise, try to wear your hair the way it usually looks, being sure to comb it neatly into place.
Makeup. With photographs, like in daily life, less is always better. Massive amounts of makeup, especially brilliant-colored shadows, blushers, and lipsticks, will detract from YOU.
Nowadays, everyone has a camera in their cell phone, and having a photograph done professionally is almost a thing of the past. But the tips above are still valid, and it’s a good idea to follow them to get your best image possible.
Last modified: 06/21/16
