Getting professional photos of yourself can feel daunting. Every detail can seem like a million questions.

”What will we wear?”

”Where will we do the photoshoot?”

”Should we bring the family pet?”

It’s all so overwhelming and I completely get it, but let me tell you a little something, you will regret the years you didn’t document. I promise you. So even though it’s not at the top of your priority list now, one day you will wish it had been.

Also, I am here to help you. I will guide you along every step of the way and make sure to remind you of all the important details.

Below is a list of tips to help you prepare and nail your next photoshoot. Once you do it a time or two it will be a breeze and those annual photos won’t be so intimidating next time.

Tip #1 • How To Dress for a Portrait Session

What to wear is probably the question I get asked the most. There are a million different color combinations and patterns. Where do you begin? Well for Summer and Spring, I like to stick with a neutral color pallet. Soft peaches, ivory, and blues are a great color combination. For Fall & Winter sessions, I love jewel tone colors. A rich maroon dress pairs perfectly with black, mustard yellow, or emerald green. Once you book a session with me, I’ll send you my color guide and we can discuss your options.

Rule of thumb(s):

• Stick with solid colors for the most part and add in a pattern or two that matches.
• Don’t dress everyone in the same exact color, instead, each person should wear a color within a chosen color scheme.
• Soft neutral colors are great for all skin tones.

Most of all your clothing should be comfortable and something that makes you feel radiant. Stick with these tips and you’ll do great!

Tip #2 • Time of Day Matters More than Location

Creating a magical photo needs a recipe of 1 part location and 3 parts lighting. Yes, the location matters and you want a beautiful scenery, but one of my favorite photos I’ve taken was behind a dumpster next to a parking garage. It was the lighting! The sun had almost set and those golden tones were killing it! Luckily the couple I was shooting didn’t mind and just had fun! Tell your photographer you’d like to book your session during “golden hour”. I like to either shoot early in the morning when it’s nice and cool or late evening just before sunset.

Family Sessions: Take note when the kids are the happiest. With my little one, she’s usually happiest in the morning and starts to melt down towards the afternoon. Because of this I always book our photoshoots in the morning. Then we have the rest of the day to have fun!

Tip #3 • Eat Your Heart Out

This tip should be #1. If there’s one thing photographing people has taught me, it’s that nothing kills a photoshoot more than a hangry family member. Remember to eat before your session!

Family Sessions: Have a big meal before you leave. Something hearty that will last in their bellies.

Tip #4 • Don’t Go Cheap

It’s true everywhere, but especially in Austin, there are a million photographers to choose from. Anyone with a DSLR camera can take a decent photo, but what about your time and energy? Is it worth the work and effort it takes to get everything prepared and coordinated? I don’t know about you, but if I am going to get dressed up and leave the house in this day in age, it better be hella worth it. I’m a busy mama and getting everyone dressed and out the door on time is like an Olympic event. So choose a Photographer that you know is going to nail it, even if you have to spend a little more. Picking the cheapest photographer you can find might save you a few bucks now, but leave you unhappy in the long run.

Inexpensive Photographers are usually new to the game. They want to get some experience under their belt and are willing to slash their prices just to get new clients. Which means you might be hiring someone that has very little experience or uses cheap equipment. Don’t be someone’s training session. Knowing how to take good photos in every lighting situation comes with years of experience. Good photographers know their worth and the cost to do it right.

Like with anything in life, you get what you pay for. You don’t have to break the bank to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

Tip #5 • Have Fun on Purpose

On the day of your session say out-loud in the mirror, “Today is going to be so fun!” and guess what, it will be! Your attitude during a photoshoot is EVERYTHING. The best sessions are the ones where people let go of their insecurities and just embrace the joy of the day. It’s not everyday you get to professionally document your life’s milestones! If the kids are screaming and not listening to a word you say, just laugh it off. Crying kid photos are a hit once they’re teenagers.

In photos, the best smiles are genuine ones. So smile big, have fun, and let loose! YOLO!

Need more tips?