Before
your shoot

Mostly pictures. Look through it before your session so the directions sound familiar.

What to wear

Three looks

One that's you, one dressier, one with texture or color.

Jeans with a satin top — Everyday you

Ruched midi dress — A step up

Bold orange top with black pants — Texture or color

Colors that photograph well

Neutrals — these always work

Ivory

Oatmeal

Camel

Stone

Charcoal

Black

Color — muted, never neon

Sage

Olive

Rust

Dusty blue

Navy

Burgundy

Solid beats patterned, muted beats bright. Skip neon — it reflects onto your skin.

Works well

Texture — denim, knit, leather
Fitted, not tight
Layers — a jacket on and off is two looks

Causes problems

Tight patterns — they shimmer on camera
Big logos, and brand-new shoes
A hair tie on your wrist — it's in every frame

Posing

Twelve that always work

Nothing to memorize. They'll just sound familiar when I say them.

Weight on the back foot — Back footWeight back, front knee soft.

Hands in pockets — PocketsHalfway in, thumbs out.

Leaning on a wall — Wall leanShoulder to it, hips out.

Arms folded loosely, body angled — Crossed armsLoose and high, body angled.

Walking toward the camera — Walk to meNormal pace, eyes up.

Hands on hips with elbows wide — Hands on hipsElbows wide, lean in.

Hand pushed into the hair — Hand to hairPush it back, elbow open.

Seated with a hand resting against the jaw — Hand to the jawFingertips light, wrist soft.

Seated leaning forward — Seated leanElbows on knees, lean in.

Seated on a ledge — On the stepsOne leg long, one bent.

Both arms raised, hands in the hair — Arms upBoth hands in, elbows wide.

Looking away from the camera — Look awayEyes off-camera, hold it.