Getting Ready for Your Portraits

FAMILIES | HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS | INDIVIDUALS | ENGAGEMENTS | EDITORIAL | BUSINESS HEADSHOTS

These aren’t rules but just some suggestions to help clients get ready for a fun-filled photo day with KWeigand Studio!

CLOTHING | JEWELRY | ACCESSORIES | SHOES
• Solid colored clothing works great – try to avoid plaids, stripes, & patterns.
• Clothing logos, styles, and patterns go out of style and will date your photos.
• Color coordinate your clothing clothes with all family members.
• For outdoor portraits, wear colors that will also compliment Mother Nature’s seasonal colors that will be in the background.
• Darker colors are slimming.
• Boots, blue jeans, & long skirts are Texas classics.
• Big bold jewelry, accessories, & concho belts look great, but they can reflect light, and may overpower other family member’s jewelry. Consider wearing minimal jewelry.
• When viewing the photos, shorts, short skirts, & mini skirts can distract the viewer’s eye toward the legs instead of the main focus, which are your faces. Blue jeans, pants, and long skirts work best for timeless family photos, especially group photos.
• Thin skirts and dresses may become backlit with sunlight which can reveal legs & thigh outlines.
• Bring some ‘just in case’ extra clothes.
• Wearing heals? Bring comfy shoes for walking. We may walk through pastures or down trails with rocks, pebbles, grass, and uneven ground.

• For business headshots, lighter colored clothing look great under an optional darker business jacket.
• Dark & black suits and clothing can easily show lint & loose hairs. Keep a lint roller in your bag.
• Bright white shirts have been a classic Texas thing. White looks great at beach sessions, but if your background will be darker with Hill Country trees and greenery, consider wearing something darker than bright white.
• Avoid clothes that are too loose or too tight which can add weight to the subject.
• Avoid wrinkled clothing.
• Ladies … Bare shoulders, bare arms, & armpits grab attention in photos. Avoid sleeveless & spaghetti straps.
• Guys … don’t let your undershirt show.
• Have a fresh shave.
• Eyeglasses might reflect glares. Remove them if you want.
• Take everything out of your pockets (keys, phones, wallets etc) , remove your sunglasses, and put it all in your bag.

HAIR | MAKE-UP | NAILS | TAN LINES
• Fresh manicures are desirable, especially for engagement or bridal photos with detailed close-ups of holding hands, rings, holding bouquet, etc.
• Nail polish – subtle or neutral colors.
• Arrive hair and make-up ready, unless we’ve made prior arrangements with an on-site artist.
• Its not always a good idea to get a new hair cut or try a new style just before Photo Day.
• Don’t overdo your make-up – natural looks great!
• Matte vs shine. Go with matte.
• Avoid lotions, oils, or powders that contain any glitter & sheen, esp on your chest, shoulders, & arms. Tiny glitters can reflect light making your skin look like a white ghost, or like the Cullen Family in Twilight.
• Tan lines, farmer tans, sunglass tans, sun burns, peeling skin, chapped lips, etc … The camera will see it all!
• Plan ahead for peak skin conditions.
• Drink plenty of water for a couple weeks in advance
• Take your ponytail holder off your wrist.

BRING A BAG
• Empty all pockets. Leave your phones, wallets, keys, and all extra items in your bag.
• Eat and drink plenty of water prior to our session time. Don’t arrive hungry.
• Bring water & snacks. No gum.

OUTDOOR INSECTS
• Gnats, mosquitoes, bees, flies, etc., can bite/sting and cause red bumps. Consider spraying yourself with unscented bug spray at home just before your session. Let it dry completely before putting on your wedding dress.
• If your allergic to any insects, have your meds and bottled water in your bag.

SMALL CHILDREN
• We enjoy getting their attention with silly questions or little games. And we love those candid moments too. I have long lenses if they want to run around with loads of energy. Simply tell your kids before hand that you are visiting Kathy for some photos and it’ll be fun!

PETS & HORSES
• Bring treats for pets.
• Too many people talking to pets at the same time to get their attention is distracting. Choose 1 person to be the dedicated ‘attention getting’ person, and they can stand directly behind the photographer so the pet is focused directly at the camera. When the photographer is the ‘attention getter’, let us know which special words; cookie, squirrel, treat, etc… that get their attention at the right moment. We have squeakers too.
• Horses – We have a couple tricks that help get their attention.

Let us know before Photo Day if you want to include horses or pets.

SPECIAL NEEDS
Let us know before your Photo Day (during our pre-session consultation) if you or a family member have any special needs, limited walking, medical conditions, etc.
• Bring any just in case medications, allergy meds, etc., for your bag.

RENTALS | PROPS | ENTRANCE FEES | HAIR & MAKE-UP PROFESSIONALS
• Old cars, trucks, and other rental props may be available. Let us know prior to your session date.
• Let us know if you’d like to add a professional make-up /hair artist on-location at your photo shoot.
• Clients are responsible for all venue fees, rentals, park entrance fees, other professionals, tips, travel costs, etc…

ARRIVE ON TIME
If clients are running late, they usually arrive at a higher stress level. Our goal is to have everyone relaxed and comfortable in their photos. If you are running late, contact us asap. Your session may need to be postponed to another available date.

POSING
I’ve got that covered, & I have some great tricks that flatter!

Just be YOU and lets have a fun time.