You'll Look Great!

Face it, most of don't actually know what the best choices are to look great in our photos. That's why in the ublic relations and movie industries, there are full time professionals to help the famous to pick clothing to look their best! With the help of your friends and the tips on this page, you'll get plenty of compliments on your photos for years to come!

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Senior Portrait Tips

Preparation for your portraits is very important. Follow these tips, you'll have a better session with less stress and more great images to choose from!
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For Girls

Be on time for your session! Try to arrive 10 minutes early so you don't feel stressed out that you might be late! Outdoor sessions take about 2 hours and are usually done in the evening for location shooting. The light changes quickly at this time of day so it is important we start on time. You can also choose a studio session or a mixture of both studio and location. Its totally up to you.

Clothing

The attention should be on YOU and not what you're wearing so avoid bold stripes and plaids if possible. Bring LOTS and LOTS of outfits with matching jewelry. And don't forget the cute shoes! We won't use every outfit but I love to coordinate clothing colors with the surroundings whether it's outdoors or studio. If you have a long formal dress, bring it. Boots look great and if you have any hats, bring them too. Since styles do change often, large wording or popular name brand logos should be avoided but school names and logos are fine to wear.

Wear clothing that complements your body style. You've probably heard that dark colors are slimming. This is particularly true in photographs so if your goal is to appear a little thinner, try to avoid light colors. Another thing to remember is that if your clothes are a size too small, it won't make you look a size smaller! It usually does the opposite! Also, bring undergarments that work with your clothing. Nothing looks worse than straps hanging out or unsightly lines!

Sleeveless tops can make your arms appear fuller. If you're not comfortable with your arms, its better to wear sleeves. It is a must that clothes be ironed and on hangers. Wrinkles will show in photos! Even though we can remove some wrinkles from clothes, it is an additional charge... don't stuff your clothes in a bag! We don't want to use up your session time ironing clothes!

Hair- Trying new hair styles can be fun but not the day before your session. Haircuts are best done several days before.

Makeup should be a little heavier than you would normally wear but be careful not to over do it. Even if you're not accustomed to wearing makeup on a daily basis, it's still a good idea to wear a little for your session, especially mascara and some kind of lipstick or gloss. Make sure you apply mascara evenly without clumping. Makeup with sparkles should be avoided because it looks like dandruff. Be sure to bring translucent powder and a brush for touch ups. These seemingly minor details are very important for close up shots.

Matching jewelry with your outfits will really make your portraits pop but be careful of big bold pieces. Also, your nails will show! Make sure the color you choose will work with all your outfits.

Tanning - Avoid getting sunburn because red skin doesn't photograph well. In fact, it could cause us to have to reschedule your session if you have a bad sunburn. Tan lines don't look good in photographs either. Tanning is fine just don't over do it, you don't want to look artificial.

Blemishes/Scars - Don't worry about a minor breakout, it is easily fixed. Pimples and blemishes are a part of life so all our portraits include removing them!

Scars and tattoos are not automatically retouched but can be removed at your request.

Braces can be removed with retouching. There is an extra charge however, as it is more extensive work.

Parents are always welcome and can be a lot of help. I can always use an extra person to hold a reflector or keep a light stand from blowing over.

Bringing a friend or friends along for your portrait session is not a great idea since they are usually a big distraction. Too many opinions from views other than the one the photographer has are not productive and usually make the senior anxious and nervous. Unless the friends are going to be in all your photographs, it's best not to bring them along.

Pets are welcome too! Please bring a pet carrier or someone to watch them during your session.

Bad weather! Whether we like it or not we can't control the weather. If it is raining, snowing or blowing at the time of your outdoor photo session we will have no choice but to reschedule. Please call the studio to see if your session is still on.

For Guys

Be on time for your session! It is a good idea to arrive a few minutes early. Outdoor location sessions take approximately 2 hours and are done in the evening. The light changes quickly this time of day so it is important that we start at the scheduled time. You may choose a studio session or a mixture of both studio and location.

Clothing

The attention should be on YOU and not what you're wearing. Bring with you lots of clothes pressed and on hangers. Avoid bold stripes and plaids if possible. Solid colors photograph much better. Most people know what looks best on them but if you are unsure, bring several colors and styles and I will be glad to help you choose. Bring a combination of dressy and casual shirts. Long and short sleeves too. The more the better. We may not use them all but I love coordinating colors with surroundings. Since clothing styles change often, large wording or popular name brand logos should be avoided. School names and logos are fine to wear.

VERY IMPORTANT GUYS! Clothes need to be ironed and on hangers. Wrinkles will show in photos! I've had seniors show up with all their clothes stuffed in a bag. PLEASE don't do this. We don't want to use up your session time ironing clothes!

Haircuts are best done several days before.

Avoid getting sunburn, red skin DOES NOT photograph well. If you are sunburned the day of your shoot it could cause us to have to reschedule the session. If you plan to wear sleeveless shirts be sure your arms are evenly tanned. We don't want you to have the "farmer's tan" look.

Blemishes are a part of being a teenager! Don't worry about a minor breakout, it is easily fixed. Scars and tattoos are not automatically retouched but can be removed at your request.

Worried about your braces? Well don't be, they can be removed with retouching. There is an extra charge however, as it is more extensive work.

Parents are always welcome and can be a lot of help. I can always use an extra person to hold a reflector or keep a light stand from blowing over.

Bringing a friend or friends along for your portrait session is not a great idea since they are usually a big distraction. Too many opinions from views other than the one the photographer has are not productive and usually make the senior anxious and nervous. Unless the friends are going to be in all your photographs, it's best not to bring them along.

Pets are welcome too! Please bring a pet carrier or someone to watch them during your session.

Bad weather! Whether we like it or not we can't control the weather. If it is raining, snowing or blowing at the time of your outdoor photo session we will have no choice but to reschedule. Please call the studio to see if your session is still on.






Best of the Basin 2010 Best Photographer