LILY LAIDLAW PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography
Preparation Guide
Everything you need to know to look and feel your best
WELCOME
Preparing for Your
Photography Session
To help you look and feel your absolute best, we have put together this comprehensive preparation guide. From skincare to wardrobe— these tips will ensure your photos are make the impact you are looking for
WHAT'S INSIDE
01 Skin & Beauty
02 Wardrobe & Accessories
03 Children
04 Groups
05 Maternity
06 Newborns
07 Graduation
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01
Skin & Beauty Prep
Hair – If you are planning a haircut for your shoot, do so about two weeks beforehand. For men, a fresh cut a couple of days ahead is ideal.
Hair Accessories – If shooting outdoors, be ready to put your hair up. Bring bobby pins, hair clips, headbands or any other favourite accessories. Hats with brims or baseball caps will cast shadows and are not advisable.
Red Eyes – Visine can brighten the eyes in a pinch, but getting a good night's sleep will help with red, tired eyes.
Lips – Bring lip balm or lipstick for touch-ups. Use lip balm for a few days in advance to soften skin, and on the day of, consider a lip scrub.
Breakouts – Avoid overdoing the coverup – it's almost always easier to photoshop pimples than to clean up overdone make-up.
Make-up – A subtle application of make-up can soften the skin and accent facial features. Ensure the colour matches the skin tone.
Facial Hair – Men should use a new razor blade to avoid bumps and redness. Trim the beard, sideburns, moustache or goatee. For women, consider wax or derma-blading in advance, as even barely-there facial hair will be noticeable in photos. All genders should consider plucking/trimming eyebrows.
Moisturizer – Begin moisturizing nightly at least a week in advance. Focus on areas that will show up in photos, including your legs if shooting in shorts or a skirt.
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02
Wardrobe & Accessories
Nails – Pick a neutral colour that won't distract or clash with your attire. Clean, natural nails are also ideal.
Undergarments – Ensure to hide undergarments such as bra straps and that the colour is not contrasting with the outfits chosen.
Sunburns & Tan Lines – Be mindful of clothing tan lines, sunglass tan lines, hat tan lines. Wear sunscreen the week leading up to your shoot. Spray tans appear especially orange on-camera and are NOT advisable.
Wardrobe – Think about avoiding loud logos or anything that will distract. Small patterns can create chromatic aberration on-camera. Larger patterns or solids are advisable.
Ironing – Press or steam your clothing the night before and then hang the items. If the garment wrinkles easily, do not wear it in the car — change when you are on location.
Shoes – Medium or short heels are ideal for women. Wedges and block heels are ideal in grass. Dark colours are ideal if it is muddy. Have men wear loafers or dress shoes that have been cleaned up and/or polished.
03
Children
Hygiene – Clean nails, brush hair, wipe the eyes, nose and mouth, clean feet (sandals on kids can result in black feet).
Diapers – If your child is still in diapers or pull-ups, tuck them in or wear bloomers.
Nap Time – If your child is still of napping age, ensure they rest before the shoot.
Snacks & Bribes – It is perfectly okay to bring bribes! Some cereal, smarties or other snacks that do not stain teeth or clothing. Bibs are great to bring along. Avoid colourful drinks or lollypops within 24 hours of your shoot.
Wardrobe – For siblings, the children don't have to match perfectly; just coordinate. You can't go wrong with neutrals, which drive the attention to sweet faces and darling expressions instead of loud prints or colours.
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"The best photos come when you feel confident, comfortable, and truly yourself."
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04
Groups
Coordinate – Think about coordinating colours and styles with the rest of the group.
Men – Have a fresh shave or trim, and use a new blade to limit bumps and redness. Make sure nails are clean and trimmed. Wash your hands. Clean up your shoes. Moisturize and scrub away flaky facial skin.
Women – Long- or 3/4-sleeve tops are very flattering especially if you are conscious of your arms. If you wear jewelry, aim for subtlety, and be aware of it twisting or turning. Clean your diamonds ahead of time with a drop of dish soap and old toothbrush.
Children – Same advice as above, but again, everything needn't match — just coordinate with the parents' outfits.
05
Maternity
Moisturize – Moisturize your baby bump and any other skin that will be exposed. Try to avoid a lotion that looks too shiny or greasy.
Props – Consider the props you would like featured — ultrasound printout, alphabet blocks that spell your baby's name, baby shoes, stuffed animals, flowers, etc.
Wardrobe – Consider wearing long, flowy skirts or dresses in solid colours. Ensure you have undergarments such as a strapless bra that coordinates. Tube dresses are fabulous for showing off your shape. Low-rise jeans and a button-up shirt also make it easy to transition into showing your belly.
Semi-Nude Photos – If doing semi-nude/implied nude photos, bras and underwear will create noticeable lines on your skin, so wear loose-fitting clothing to the shoot. You can add undergarments as necessary for photos later.
Family – Consider bringing your partner and other children. They'll make an excellent addition and greatly expand the number of different images you can create. They should bring outfits that coordinate with what you'll be wearing.
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06
Newborns
Skin Care – Clean away flaky skin and eye discharge. Address any cradle cap or eczema at least a week in advance of the shoot.
Nails – Trim their tiny fingernails and toenails — Frieda Baby makes great ones.
Timing – Book your shoot around your baby's feeding and nap times and work with your baby's natural rhythm. The perfect time to shoot is right when the baby would be lying down for a nap. If your baby typically falls asleep after a feeding, wait to feed until you're at the shoot.
Diapers – Plain white diapers are preferred. Avoid loud and colourful prints that will be seen through light clothing.
Accessories – Consider using hats, dainty headbands, boys in crocheted hats. Bring sentimental items like the quilt that Grandma made for the baby, or a baby blanket from your childhood.
Essentials – Bring extra pacifiers, bottles, low-mess snacks, diapers and wet-wipes. An extra change of clothing is also advisable in case of accidents.
07
Graduation Photos
Outfits – Bring a variety of outfits — cap and gown, something casual, and something more formal.
Props – Bring props that recall your high school or college years — your band instrument, sports gear, your beloved (or cursed) high school car, a letter jacket, and sunglasses.
Be Yourself – Most of all, represent your style, whatever that may be. Your graduation photos should be unique to your life and personality.
Location – Consider shooting at your school campus, a favourite local spot, or somewhere meaningful to your journey.
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READY TO CREATE
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES?
Now that you are prepared, let's capture something beautiful together. Contact Lily Laidlaw Photography to book your session.
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