A Note About Clothing, Props and Poses.
For High School Senior PicturesWear what you want to see in your yearbook and bring several other outfits for variety. Consider a traditional outfit for your yearbook or parents. And consider outfits that help you feel good and express who you are. Choose simple colors and styles that keep the focus on you. It is best to wear solid colors (no prints or patterns) that don't distract from your face. Long sleves are best to down play your arms. Bring shoes that match outfits for full-length portraits and to complete the "feel" of your outfit even though they might not be in the picture. Don't forget letter jackets, your class ring, and band, sports, or other uniforms. You may want bring your own props such as musical instruments, computer keyboard, hobby or sports equipment if you like. If you work out you may want to wear a tank top or something that shows off your physique. Bring things that help you express yourself and make you feel good about yourself. Remember it doesn't have to be formal. Okay, so your yearbook shot might need to be a little formal. But the rest of them can be as casual as you want.
Avoid getting a haircut or new perm right before your photo session. Your hair needs at least one to two weeks grow out or relax after a cut or perm. It isn't advisable to get an all "new look" just for your photos. Remember you will look at these the rest of your life. Lean on the safe side and stay with what is normally you.
If you want a "high key" white look, wear light or white clothing. If you like the "Rembrandt" dark look wear black or dark clothing and especially long sleves. Plan your look before you come to your session, then call us up and discuss it. This helps us be ready with the setup, and can leave more time for shooting. If you see a photo in a magazine or yearbook that you like, bring it with you to your session. We'll see what we can do with it. Don't be afraid to be creative. Don't fret though. If you don't have a clue what poses you like, don't worry. We can work out several ideas and find something that "fits" you just right.
For Artistic Portraits
What to wear
This is your session. Wear any thing you want: a 3 piece suit, jump suit, swim suit, birthday suit, jeans, shorts, sweats, tank top, no top, ball cap, cowboy hat, helmet, war bonnet, head band, jacket, coat, hooded coat or sweat shirt, bathrobe, uniform, climbing or parachute harness, suspenders. Do you get the idea? Anything you want and feel comfortable in. Be you.... or who you want to be.
Plain colors or natural colors work best. Patterns, logos and pictures on shirts tend to be distracting in the final photos.What to bring
You can bring anything as a prop that will help express who you are... or want to be. Ideas:
· Geek - keyboard, monitor, CDs
· Construction worker - tool belt or tools, shovel, level
· Electrician - Wire cutters, roll of wire for over your shoulder
· Lawyer - books, conference table (maybe we'd better come to your office)
· Gaming champ - chess set, joy sticks, pool stick, bowling ball
· Musician - Musical Instrument
· Doctor - stethoscope, mask, scrubs
· Athlete - pole vault, football & shoulder pads, bike, goggles & cap, ball
· Biker - Harley, helmet, leather coat & pants
· Farmer - hay fork, tractor (location shot)
· Gardener - hoe, pruning shears (action shot at my apple trees)
· Dragon slayer - sword and shield
This list could go on for ever, but you can see that things you use every day are a part of who you are. Bring them if you can. If you have an idea but don't have or know where to locate the perfect prop, we'll try to locate it together... or make it. The sky is the limit. Well, not really. If you'll buy, I'll fly.
Do's and Don'ts
Here are a few tips to remember before our session.
My studio is small, so please don't bring other people just to observe. There isn't room. If you want to bring your spouse or a close friend for moral support that is fine, but I've found that often they can become a distraction where I can't get your full attention.Don't be in a rush. Be prepared to spend a few hours at this. We will be working with lighting and poses. Sometimes it works the first time and sometimes it takes some improvising and experimenting to get things right.
If possible don't shave right before you come for your session. Try to leave a couple of hours for your skin tone to return to normal. For a masculine look, you may want to keep a five o'clock shadow or a couple of days growth.
Please don't get a haircut any less than 2 weeks prior to our session. Give your hair a chance to grow out a little so you won't look skinned.
Don't wear a hat. If you want a hat in your photo, please bring it but don't wear it before the session. It will give you "hat head," and may limit the shots we can take.
If you want to be photographed semi-nude or nude, please don't wear anything tight or with elastic. Example is socks and underwear. Wear baggy clothing that won't make marks in your skin.
Do bring several changes of clothing or accessories that you like or think might make an interesting photo.
Limits
I will not shoot or entertain any crude, off color, offensive or porn shots. This is an artistic photographic endeavor intended to be viewed by a wide audience. I will shoot nude shots if you are willing, but only what is artistic or aesthetic and appropriate to be viewed in the public forum.