This page is for ALL photo sessions.

Photo Session Checklist

For A Successful Photo Session Please Read This Entire Page (printable pdf)

On This Page

Beach Sessions

Wardrobe Changes

  • Normally you can change 2 to 8 times
  • The shoot location is within walking distance of the bathhouse for changing

Marsh and Park Sessions

Wardrobe Changes

  • Normally you can change 2 to 4 times
  • The shoot location is within walking distance of your vehicle for changing

Client Location Choice

Wardrobe Changes (outdoors)

  • Normally you can change 2 to 4 times

Wardrobe Changes (indoors)

  • Normally you can change 2 to 10 times

Preparation

Multiple Wardrobe Changes
Are Very Important To
Keep Pictures Interesting.

Pack Days Ahead

  • Pack a suitcase, large bag or box
  • I will adjust wardrobe for changing skies and backgrounds
  • Feel free to send ideas, questions and pics

Wardrobe

Casual

Styles:

  • Tank crop top, spaghetti strap crop top, v neck tank, strapless crop top, strapless tube top, spaghetti strap crop tube
  • Your favorite or memorable tops
  • Shorts, long skirts, short skirts, pants

Colors:

  • Blue, purple, red, mauve, pink, magenta, teal, orange, yellow, light gray, white
  • BAD Greens, browns, black

Dresses

Styles:

  • Hippie dress, sundress, formal, evening, costume, period dress

Colors:

  • Blue, purple, red, mauve, pink, magenta, teal, orange, yellow, light gray, white
  • BAD Greens, browns, black

Swimsuit

For beach sessions it’s important to pack extra in case we need to adjust contrast to changing sky color

Textures:

  • Smooth materials
  • No ruffles
  • No heavy seams
  • No heavy materials

Colors:

  • Blue, teal, red, yellow, green, purple, magenta, mauve
  • Browns and orange may washout against sand and rock
  • Sky blue may wash against clear skies
  • Light gray and whites may wash against cloudy skies
  • Not real bright is best (fluorescent is bad)

Bikini and Cover Ups

Bikini Textures:

  • Smooth materials
  • No ruffles
  • No heavy seams
  • No heavy materials

Bikini Colors:

  • Nude or skin colors are best
  • Alternate; white, pink or black

Cover Ups:

  • Long lace open front
  • Fur coat
  • Night gown
  • Large dress shirt

Patterns and Textures

Patterns
You do not want to compete with your clothing

  • Solids are best, paisley or hippie
  • BAD – Extreme outfits that draw the eye away from your face

Textures

  • GOOD – Smooth body hugging or flowy cloth
  • BAD – Ruffles, bunching, excessive folds, heavy stitching, thick padding, double cloth

I Normally Bring

  • Sheer Wraps
  • Paper Umbrella
  • Chair (park session)

Upon Request

  • Pearl Beads
  • Flower Crowns
  • Violin

General Tips

  • Personality Choose the clothes that match your personality
  • Textures should be thin and smooth so it hugs or flows over your body
  • Undergarments should be unnoticeable, smooth, close fit and a non-bunching
  • Tight Clothing should be smooth and free of heavy seams and distractions
  • Loose Clothing should be thin and flow over your body, not constrict it
  • Swimsuits, Bikinis and Thongs should be smooth, close fit and non-bunching
  • Sheer Clothing Use unnoticeable pasties and skin or white bikini-thong bottoms
  • No Nude Pictures

Hair Styles

Change It Up

  • Headbands
  • Scarfs
  • Pigtails
  • Ponytails
  • Clips and pins
  • Quick Bun

It’s best to show with the most time consuming look, then do fast changes during the session. There is no time for extensive hair changes such as braiding.

Outdoor Makeup

Good

  • Show Up With A Natural Makeup Look
  • Clear Lip-Gloss and Mascara will do just fine
  • Setting Powder is essential to reduce shiny skin, but only apply if I ask
  • Bring Towel to dab perspiration
  • I always remove acne blemishes, bug bites, sores and whiten teeth
  • I normally reduce or remove distracting scares

Bad

  • Thick Makeup is Very Bad
  • Unless you have a professional that works with models and actors, do not apply thick makeup
  • I cannot edit or retouch it and you will look like plastic in pictures
  • I can only edit real skin successfully.
  • Bring your normal makeup and a small mirror in case we need it

Accessories

Please Bring Some Of These Items

  • Jewelry
  • Boots
  • Casual Shoes
  • Sandals
  • High Heels
  • Flops
  • Favorite Hat
  • Big Hats

Optional Ideas

  • Wraps
  • Jackets

You do not have to go strictly by the Photo Session Checklist. Bring items that match your personality, hobbies or your favorite sport.

Photo Session Props

Please Bring Some Of These Items

  • Hand Bag or Purse
  • Small Hobby Items
  • Books
  • Mugs, Cups, Wine Glass

Optional Ideas

  • Small Mirror
  • Hand Fans
  • Empty Picture Frame
  • Baskets
  • Cushions
  • Stuffed Animals

Maternity Sessions

The photo session checklist would not be complete without showing off your baby bump!

  • Baby Bumps photos should have a bikini style undergarment that is skin color, white, gold or black
  • Undergarments should be unnoticeable, smooth, close fit and non-bunching
  • Open front maternity dress over bikini should be loose, flowing
  • Sheer, solid or non distracting pattern
  • I bring a few lacy wraps

Photo Session Posing

Top Model has some basic and involved techniques that you can practice before photo session.
Flow Posing may seem silly but it makes you appear more natural by moving into the desired position rather than a still pose that may appear rigid.