Express Yourself!!

 We encourage you to bring along ideas or items to personalize your session.  Here are some ideas to get you thinking…

~Sports uniforms or equipment                     ~Hobbies

~Pets                                                   ~Brothers or sisters

~Collections                                         ~Musical Instruments

~Flowers

(Anything that might portray the real you would be great, some items may require an additional session fee.)

Avoid Sunburns…We all love the sun, but stay out of it a few days prior to your session.  A little color is always attractive, but don’t overdo! We cannot change the redness of a burn by artwork.

Wrinkles Show…make sure your cloths are neatly pressed.

We have the miracle of retouching! If you wake up the morning of your session with a brand new blemish don’t worry!! We have the ability to return your complexion to peaches and cream in the final photographs.  Unfortunately, retouching cannot be done on previews.  Retouching is facial only, so your hair and clothing should be exactly as you wish them to appear.

Please feel free to call us as often as you need to.   No question is too simple.  We want to make your session as memorable as possible, and we’ll be glad to help in anyway we can.

If you wear glasses:

Glasses cause distortion to your facial features.  There also may be glare from photographic lights.

Any tint to your glasses will darken under photographic lights.  It is vital that you do one of 3 things:

1. Ask your eye doctor to loan you a pair of frames like your own. Most doctors are happy to help you with this.

2. Remove the lenses here at the studio and replace them after the session.  We can help you do this if your glasses have screws that loosen.

3. Try some photographs with and some without your glasses.

Here are a few helpful hits to make your session successful!!

What do I wear?

For the first outfit, you will want to choose something classic that won’t be out-dated in just a few years.  It is most likely that a portrait made in this outfit will be chosen as a wall portrait for your home.  You may consider discussing this with your parents, deciding in which room the portrait will be displayed to help coordinate your outfit with the colors and formality of that room.

We have found that sweaters, suits and dresses work well.  Solid colors or very subtle prints are best in medium or darker tones.  This should be the first outfit you wear.

After the classic portrait you are ready to get casual.  The other outfits in your session should truly represent the person you are.  You can actually wear something your friends will recognize you in!  This is the time to wear the bolder colors or trendy clothing.  Below are some points to keep in mind while choosing your outfits.

~Make sure it fits! The “super oversized” clothes are in style but photographically they aren’t as flattering.  On the other hand, anything too tight may confine you and make you look uncomfortable in the photographs.

~Color is one of the most important decisions.  Choose clothing colors that are complimentary to your skin tone.  IF you find people compliment your appearance when you wear certain colors, this may be a good indication of the colors that look best on you.

~Choosing the right neckline also is important.  If you have slightly longer neck you should choose a higher neckline, such as a turtleneck.  If you have a shorter neck, choose a v-neck or crew.

~Be careful in choosing tops with larger shoulder pads.  They tend to make some people look larger than they are.  Make sure you cannot see the shoulder pads through the shirt.

~If you want to appear as slim as you are in the photographs, avoid horizontal strips!

~Sleeveless clothing is not recommended; it makes arms appear larger than they are.  Long-sleeved clothing is the best choice.

~Sweaters photograph well all year long.  We keep the temperature in the studio comfortable at all times, so don’t hesitate to choose a sweater just because it is warm outside.

~If you cannot decide which outfit, feel free to bring along additional choices and we will help you decide which will photograph the best.

~Dress from head to toe! Remember everything you will need to complete an outfit.  Socks, hose, belts, shoes and jewelry are some of the most commonly forgotten items.

Getting Ready!!

~ If you wear make-up apply it as you would normally.  If you are a diehard natural and normally do not wear any make-up, If you are a diehard natural and normally do not wear any make-up, we suggest a minimum of gloss on the lips and little mascara.  Retouching is provided on your finished portraits, but to make your previews look their best, covering any blemishes is recommended.

~Facial shine is something we cannot retouch so bring along some translucent powder to eliminate any shine.

~It is possible that your hands will show in some of the photographs, so make sure your nails are neatly done.

~Avoid a brand new hairstyle or cut.  Please have your hair ready when you arrive at the studio so only a quick touch up is necessary.  Hair cannot be retouched so it is your responsibility to style it exactly as you wish it to appear in your finished photographs.

~(Don’t hesitate to call the studio if you have any questions!)

Get ready for the “Great Outdoors!”

Here are a few tips to make your outdoor portraits fabulous!

 ~Do not wear your outdoor outfit first.  We normally photograph you outside last in case it is warm and the wind blows your hair.

~We normally work with one outfit outside.  However, if you prefer outdoor portraits we could use two outfits outside.

~Casual clothing is best.  It simply seems more appropriate for outdoor photography.  Poses taken down in the grass often are favorites, so make sure you wear something you can get on the ground with.

~Wear colors that you see in nature.  Greens, blues, browns, tans, rose, burgundy and rich violets are perfect.  Avoid white and black!

~Jeans and sweaters are truly an ideal choice.  In selecting a sweater remember the earth tones mentioned above. Also look for medium to darker tones in solid colors or subtle prints. (We photograph seniors in sweaters all summer long. We work quickly outside so you won’t be in heavy clothing too long.)