How to Prepare for Your Session

PREPARING FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY PORTRAIT SESSION

A Guide to Looking and Feeling Your Best

Welcome

Thank you for choosing us to create your portrait experience.

Whether you are celebrating a milestone, elevating your personal brand, marking a new season of life, or simply honoring yourself, this experience has been thoughtfully designed to create artwork that reflects your confidence, beauty, and individuality.

Our goal is not simply to take photographs.

Our goal is to create extraordinary portraits that remind you of who you are in this moment and preserve it for years to come.

The following recommendations will help ensure a seamless, enjoyable, andunforgettable experience.

Curate Your Wardrobe with Intention

The right wardrobe can elevate a portrait from beautiful to extraordinary.

Choose

• A standout piece
• Great shoes are a must
• Garments that make you feel confident, comfortable, and authentically yourself.
• Accessories to add interest and pull your outfit together. Think hats, headbands, scarves, jewelry, bowties, suspenders, vests, shades, watches belts & bags.

We Recommend

• Timeless, well-tailored clothing
• Luxurious fabrics such as silk, cashmere, linen, velvet, and fine knits
• Clothing that flatters your body shape – for body conscious women try the following tips: wrap dresses are great for any woman’s figure,

 ¾ sleeves are flattering, dresses with waistlines and off the shoulder looks flatter all body types.

• Pieces that reflect your personal style
• Layered looks, textures & accessories for variety

We Suggest Avoiding

• Large logos and branding
• Neon colors
• Busy patterns
• Boxy or shapeless dresses which tend to make women look larger in photos
• Trend-driven pieces that may quickly feel dated
• Anything that doesn't make you feel amazing

If you feel confident wearing it, it will show in your portraits.

Consider the Story You Want to Tell

Before selecting your wardrobe, ask yourself:

How do I want to be remembered in these portraits?

Do you want to appear:

• Elegant and sophisticated
• Powerful and confident
• Creative and artistic
• Glamorous and fashion-forward
• Natural and approachable

The answer will help guide every wardrobe choice and create a cohesive visual story.

Your portraits should feel like the best version of you.

Color Palettes That Photograph Beautifully

Thoughtful color selection creates timeless artwork.

Classic Luxury

• Ivory
• Camel
• Navy

Organic Elegance

• Sage
• Cream
• Taupe

Rich & Sophisticated

• Charcoal
• Burgundy
• Warm Gray

Coastal Inspired

• Dusty Blue
• Sand
• Soft White

Earth Tones

• Olive
• Rust
• Stone
• Oatmeal

These combinations photograph beautifully and allow your face, expression, and personality to remain the focus.

Hair & Makeup

Professional hair and makeup are highly recommended and often make the greatest difference in how clients feel during their portrait session.

Professional styling enhances your natural beauty while ensuring you photograph beautifully under professional lighting.

Before Your Session

• Schedule hair color appointments 1–2 weeks beforehand
• Avoid major hairstyle changes immediately before your session
• Maintain your regular skincare routine

The goal is not to look different.

The goal is to look like the very best version of yourself.

Preparing Your Skin

Healthy, hydrated skin photographs beautifully.

During the week leading up to your session, stay hydrated

• Groom away unwanted body & facial hair
• Exfoliate and moisturize your skin
• Clean and well-manicured nails (even men and children)
• Ladies – indulge and get a manicure and pedicure (sometimes we like bare feet in an image)
• Neutral or classic nail colors

Avoid

• Excessive sun exposure
• Last-minute tanning or spray tans
• New skincare treatments
• Aggressive facials immediately before your session
• Consistency always wins over drastic measures.

Don't Forget the Details

Portraits often capture details that are easy to overlook.

Consider:

• Bring at least 3 complete wardrobe changes with accessories and shoes
• Have all wardrobe changes organized with shoes, accessories and proper undergarments for easy quick changes to allow more time for photographing
• Try all of your clothing changes on before your session – Pick clothes that fit appropriately and move well- you want to be able to move and pose freely
• Clothing should be wrinkle and lint free
• For location shoots, bring a pair of flats for walking

The little details often make the biggest impact.

Meaningful Personal Touches

Some of the most compelling portraits include elements that tell your story.

Consider bringing:

• A favorite hat
• A leather jacket
• A meaningful piece of jewelry
• Musical instruments
• Professional tools of your trade
• Sports equipment
• Books
• Family heirlooms
• A pet

These personal touches create portraits that feel uniquely yours.

What We Wish Everyone Knew Before Their Session

You do not need to lose weight.

You do not need to be younger.

You do not need to look like a model.

You do not need to know how to pose.

• The clients whose portraits inspire us most come in every age, shape, size, and season of life

• Confidence is beautiful.
• Experience is beautiful.
• Character is beautiful.
• The goal of your portrait session is not perfection.
• The goal is to celebrate the remarkable human you already are.

Rest, Hydrate & Recharge

• A well-rested face photographs beautifully.
• In the days leading up to your session:
• ✓ Prioritize sleep
• ✓ Drink plenty of water
• ✓ Reduce unnecessary stress
• ✓ Take time for yourself
• ✓ Allow yourself to feel excited
• Portrait sessions are meant to be enjoyable.
• This is your time.

Trust the Process

• The most common thing we hear is:
• "I'm not photogenic."
• The truth is, being photogenic is not your job.
• Our responsibility is to guide every pose, every expression, and every detail so you look and feel incredible.
• You do not need modeling experience.
• You do not need to know how to pose.
• You do not need to worry about what to do with your hands.
• We've got you.
• Throughout the session, we'll coach you every step of the way and create an environment where you can relax, have fun, and simply be yourself.

A Final Thought

• This portrait experience is about more than creating beautiful images.
• It is about celebrating who you are right now.
• Your strength.
• Your beauty.
• Your accomplishments.
• Your story.
• Years from now, these portraits will remind you of this season of life and the person you were becoming.
• We are honored to create something meaningful with you and cannot wait to see you in front of the camera.

Curtis & Lisa

Commissioned Portrait Artists

"Because every extraordinary life deserves to be beautifully remembered."