PORTRAIT HINTS N’ TIPS
So many people ask me how to get the best out of a portrait session. Well, there are no real rules per se, but there are many guidelines that seem to work well. Here are some hints n’ tips I’ve collected over the years, which you can expect to see in action when we shoot.
• REST: Get some sleep before your shoot. If you arrive with a matching set of luggage under your eyes, it will show up in every shot.
• CLOTHING: Unless specified, most portrait sittings will include a few ‘looks’ or changes of clothing. This could be anything from two different tops, to a complete change of outfit – for example, a tennis outfit and a business suit.
• MAKE-UP: Make-up will make or break a portrait. And it’s not just for women. Hear me out. Not many of us are blessed with perfect skin tone, so compensate for this by applying a little make-up to even out your colour. Pimples, spots and even scars can be removed after the shoot (in ‘post’), but it’s always preferable to get yourself close to the way you want to look before the lens cap even comes off.
• HAIR: If you plan on getting a haircut, do it about 5-7 days beforehand in order to give your hair a chance to ‘grow in’. You can come straight from the hairdresser if you’re brave. For outdoor shoots, have a contingency look in case of wind (bring hair-ties, scarf, hat etc).
• DON’T WEAR SUNGLASSES: This only applies if you’re on an outdoor shoot. If you’re eyes are adjusted to the natural light outside, you’ll get fewer shots of you squinting.
• PRACTICE: It may feel a little corny, but practice your expressions in front of a mirror. I can coach you on the day, but the more comfortable you are with changing expression and angle of your head, the less every photo will look like Blue Steel.
• BE CREATIVE: You don’t have to stick to convention. If you want a completely different look for your portrait, jot down some ideas and send them to me. We can workshop it and hopefully come up with a concept that will convey what you’re after. And never think your ideas may be dumb. Us photographers love it. Seriously.
• NO STRIPES: Horizontal or vertical stripes tend to look odd in 2D. Pinstripes are usually ok, but striped shirts or pants are a no-no.
• BE ON TIME: Nothing will ruin a photo more than rushing it. We need time to chat before your shoot, look at your clothing and make-up, and talk about what kind of composition you were thinking of. Allow time to get to your shoot, do hair and make-up, and maybe have a quick tea or coffee beforehand. If you’re relaxed and comfortable, as opposed to stressed and uncomfortable, it will show. Do your photos justice and arrive with time to spare.
There are other things you can do to ensure you get the best out of a sitting, but most of it is common sense. And, of course, rules were meant to be broken. Pull out those striped pants if you think they will add to the character of your photos 