Let’s be real – You put a lot of trust into your photographer. Everything from us showing up on time ready to rock n’ roll to delivering quality images in a timely manner requires trust.

That trust especially comes into play in regards to capturing your best features and angles so that you feel great about your photos.

It’s true, it largely falls on your photog to capture flattering photos, but did you know that you could actually help your session go even more smoothly and greatly improve the quality of your photos with just a few simple prepping tricks?

Planning for your shoot, whether you’re a biz wiz getting a few fun headshots or you’re a bride going full glam, goes far beyond deciding what to wear or how to do your hair.

Session Prep Hack #1 – Rest and Repeat

We all know that getting enough sleep is important, but we don’t always treat our bodies to the right amount of sleep. To help ease dark circles and bags, make sure you’re getting some good shut eye – Especially for the night before your shoot!

The exception to this rule is new mamas who are planning a shoot with their little one who (unfortunately) doesn’t quite understand what a sleep schedule is yet. If this is you, embrace those dark circles and trust your photographer to capture the glowing mom that you truly are.

 

Session Prep Hack #2 – Moisturize Inside and Out

Never underestimate the power of a good moisturizer for your skin. While you get the best benefits from moisturizing daily, applying a healthy layer the morning of your shoot will do the trick!

You might hate to hear it (I know I did), but you can also give your skin some love by making sure you’re drinking water daily. Not a fan of the plain stuff (My hand is raised!)? Add a squeeze or two of lemon for some flavor and hydrate! Happy skin will not only boost your confidence, it gives your finished photos a boost too!

 

Session Prep Hack #3 – Walk The Runway

Or your hallway… Or your bedroom – Wherever a mirror can be found in your home! Put together a few outfits (especially if you plan on wearing more than one for your session) and try them on. This helps prevent any last minute fashion faux pas and you will feel confident knowing that you look good and are comfortable in what you decide to wear.

Obviously this hack will look a little different if you’re a bride. Before wearing your dress out, make sure any necessary alterations are made so that it fits like a glove and lay out all the accessories you plan on wearing so that you don’t forget anything. I have been part of many shoots where a bride (myself included!) forgets to bring their bouquet for their bridals!

 

Session Prep Hack #4 – Limber Up

You never know what kind of pretzel your photographer is going to twist you into.

This is where more of that trust comes in – Some of the positions and poses we prompt you to do may feel downright odd, but the end result will be worth it! I personally try to avoid too much posing because I love the simplicity of capturing candid moments, but capturing those can involve a taking a quick jog or being picked up so it doesn’t hurt to loosen those limbs beforehand!

 

Session Prep Hack #5 – “Relax Your Forehead”

This is actually one from my dear friend, Liz, and it’s a hack you can use actively during your shoot instead of just before. Being told to “smile” 300 times in an hour can cause some strain in the forehead region – Something that went unnoticed by me until I was being told to “relax my forehead” after every “smile” command.

If you feel your smile starting to get a little tense, ask your photographer for a quick time out and take a deep breath. This will help keep your look natural and will greatly up the quality of your photos.

Don’t stress yourself by worrying how to prepare for you session. Keeping these five hacks in mind will have you feeling prepared, and ready to rock you shoot! Remember, too, we are our own worst critics and it’s easy for us to see the little imperfections that no one else notices. Trust your photographer’s skill and be confident that you will look great in your photos!

Are you a photographer or perhaps a seasoned subject who knows a few tricks of the trade? Share your session prep hacks in the comments below!

Feeling ready for your session? Contact me to get one in the books!