It can be an absolutely nerve-racking time in the weeks before your first portrait or headshot session! I get it, and so many have been right where you are.
This is a quick run down of what you SHOULD and should NOT do before your portrait experience with WDP.
We’ve got you.
DO:
PLAN AHEAD
Nothing kills the mood of something that’s supposed to be fun and relaxing like having to rush through your morning to get somewhere. Just boo! Always plan for traffic and allow yourself an extra 15 to get to the studio. We ask that you arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before the designated arrival time.
GO AHEAD, PAMPER YOURSELF
Use this opportunity to pamper and reward yourself. Before your shoot, go get a fresh mani/pedi… get a massage… a hydro-facial. A relaxed, polished look is always a plus. Chipped nails, tired skin, and tense shoulders can be really distracting in your images.
BRUSH + EXFOLIATE YOUR LIPS
Ok, this one sounds odd, but hear me out. Dry, chapped lips are very hard to fix in photoshop. In the days leading up to your photoshoot, exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub or even BRUSH them with an extra toothbrush. Trust me this WORKS! It helps to shed dead skin. Afterwards, apply a moisturizing lip balm. Lanolin’s Original 101 Ointment or Dr. Lipp’s Original Nipple Balm are two of THE BEST products out there for dry skin/lips. Both are multi-use products; I love it for a quick the lip and cheek highlight, and I’ve seen it used for anything from dry elbows and knees to cracked nipples for nursing moms. You can score them on Amazon, Sephora, or Ulta for less than $15!
HAVE EXTRA WARDROBE OPTIONS
WDP does offer a limited in-studio wardrobe; sheer skirts and fabrics, dresses, kimono’s, bodysuits, and button up blouses. We do NOT supply lingerie for the obvious sanitary elements involved with that. Bring undergarment options that fit in different ways, or specific fashion pieces you have in mind (we do NOT provide fashion looks). We go through all of these items when you arrive and you never know what might work once you’re in the session that you never thought about before. So when in doubt, bring it ALL! We’ll decide once you get to the studio!
LOTION LOTION LOTION, WATER WATER WATER!
Lather on that lotion! Moisture is KEY for beautiful skin. Hydrate with a ton of water in the weeks before your session, and moisturize TWICE a day in the week leading up to your shoot. This tip is CRUCIAL, especially for portraits that involve any level of undress or skin showing. This includes your hands and feet! Use an oil based or illuminating moisturizer on the day of your shoot. Don’t use tinted lotions, body bronzers, or anything with color!
MAKE A PLAYLIST
Music is my number one must have at every shoot. We always keep a studio playlist rolling during your entire shoot, and you are more than welcome to create a Spotify playlist and share it with us for your session, or hook it up to our bluetooth speaker. Good music—the vibes can help relax you and get you into the zone!
BRING A SOFT ROBE AND SLIPPERS
During hair and makeup, we’ll have you slip on a robe without undergarments to give your skin some time to decompress and release any marks made by your clothing; bra, panties, socks, leggings, etc. It also gets a little chilly during the winter months, so having those slippers will be key! Even in the summer, it’s just super cozy to have a fluffy pair of slippers and a robe with you. We highly recommend!
This applies to any shoot where an outfit change is needed!
TRUST ME, I’VE GOT YOU!
You came to me because you saw images of other incredible humans looking beautiful, confident, and strong… trust that I know what I’m doing, and I will do the same for you. I will never ask you to do something that will make you look unflattering. I know lighting, I know posing, I know which angles will make your booty pop and thin your waist, what angles and movements are necessary to snatch your jawline and elongate your neck… I’VE GOT YOU. I’ve photographed hundreds of people and have quite literally worked with every body type and insecurity you can imagine. Don’t stress (easier said than done though, I understand), just trust.
DON’T
SPRAY TAN BEFORE YOUR SHOOT
I know you think you’ll look so much better with a tan… but I ASSURE YOU, even if you don’t see the streaks and uneven coloring in real life, my camera WILL pick them up. You will photograph a lot more tan than you think you look, especially after post processing. TRUST ME ON THIS! On the same note, no tinted lotions or bronzers on your body. I know a lot of women are avid tanners and spray tanner’s and cannot imagine going without it for a photoshoot. Of course I will absolutely still photograph you, but unfortunately, standard retouching and makeup services do not include spray tan correction, so definitely keep that in mind.
COME WITH WET HAIR OR A FACE FULL OF MAKEUP
If you’ve purchased a portrait session that includes hair and makeup BE SURE to arrive with CLEAN, DRY hair that is ready to be heat styled, and a clean, moisturized face. Professional hair and makeup is included in most sessions, but does not account for additional time blow drying your hair, or cleansing your skin. Do not pre-straighten your hair before your shoot unless you intend on having a straight hair look for the session. We ask that you please honor this request! We’ve got the rest.
NOTE: If you did NOT purchase hair and makeup in addition to your session fee — please arrive with hair and makeup fully ready.
PARTY THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SHOOT
Dehydrated skin, dark circles, and the smell of booze oozing from your pores is not the look we’re going for. Hangovers are not cute…
DRINK DARK BEVERAGES THE DAY BEFORE OR THE DAY OF YOUR SHOOT
I LOVE a good class of cabernet, I feel ya, but red and purple teeth stains don’t make for a great photoshoot. If you need something to calm the nerves, I recommend champagne or white wine; which we have a supply of in the studio for the day of!
FORGET TO STRETCH
If you’ve seen my portfolio, you know I’m the QUEEN of the hair flip, pretzel posing, and whipping that neck! A lot of the poses look so effortlessly beautiful, but some can be quite uncomfortable to get into. Take a few minutes the morning of to stretch your arms, legs, hips, neck, and especially your back; we’re going to be arching the back, pointing the toes, twisting and holding the positions during your shoot, especially during a full portrait session – you don’t want to pull a muscle while mid-Beyonce.
GET A NEW HAIRCUT OR COLOR IN THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR SHOOT
Just don’t. Don’t do it. Now is not the time to experiment with a whole new look not knowing how it’s going to turn out. Stick with what you’ve got, and I promise you’ll still look amazing.
WORRY YOURSELF SICK
Don’t worry about body issues, your period (if applicable), acne, posing anxiety, being photogenic (at this point you’re probably thinking I’m delusional…), trust me WE HAVE GOT YOU. Bloating sucks, but we can tuck that in. Pimples are the BIGGEST pain in the world, but it’s nothing a little spot removal can’t fix in an instant. You don’t have to be a model to do this, you don’t have to know what you’re doing at all, I will guide you every step of the way, including how to breath and where to look! Every single person on the planet has a good angle… and it’s my job to find that, so whether or not you’re photogenic isn’t an issue either. Body issues are something I can empathize with after years of eating disorders and viewing myself in such a negative way. I take these feelings very seriously and I NEVER want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I have learned ALL the tricks during my career to ensure that I’m emphasizing the areas my clients love about themselves, and downplaying the areas they don’t. I always make sure you’re comfortable with the posing before we move forward. You are in the best hands possible.
WHITNEY BROWN 