General Pre-Session Advice
If you've just booked your photo session but have no idea where to do the pictures, what to wear, or what you should even bring, then keep reading!
I will go over several bits of advice that can help you decide on choosing the right location, outfit, and props to fit your specific personality and style.
I will go over several bits of advice that can help you decide on choosing the right location, outfit, and props to fit your specific personality and style.
Where to Shoot
There are many different options when it comes to choosing a location for the shoot. Downtown areas, parks and public gardens always make a beautiful location. Ponds, forests, grassy fields, and lakes are also great spots. Make sure you chose a location that matches your personality!
If you can't think of anything specific, here is a list of local areas:
LOCAL LOCATIONS:
SEABROOK
Seabrook Wildlife Park
Robinson Park
Pine Gully Park
Hester Garden Park
KEMAH
Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah Marina
Kemah Gardens (needs prior approval)
LEAGUE CITY
Helen’s Garden
Main Street League City
League Park
Walter Hall Park
Butler's Courtyard (needs prior approval)
Walding Station Event Venue
WEBSTER
Challenger Seven Memorial Park
HOUSTON
Bay Area Park
McGovern Centennial Gardens
Reflection Pool- Herman Park
Japanese Gardens
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Houston Police Officer's Memorial
Cullen Sculpture Garden
Tranquility Park
GALVESTON
Galveston Seawall
Pleasure Pier
Galveston Historic Downtown
LA PORTE
Sylvan Beach Park
PASADENA
Armand Bayou Nature Center
FRIENDSWOOD
Oxnard Park
If you can't think of anything specific, here is a list of local areas:
LOCAL LOCATIONS:
SEABROOK
Seabrook Wildlife Park
Robinson Park
Pine Gully Park
Hester Garden Park
KEMAH
Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah Marina
Kemah Gardens (needs prior approval)
LEAGUE CITY
Helen’s Garden
Main Street League City
League Park
Walter Hall Park
Butler's Courtyard (needs prior approval)
Walding Station Event Venue
WEBSTER
Challenger Seven Memorial Park
HOUSTON
Bay Area Park
McGovern Centennial Gardens
Reflection Pool- Herman Park
Japanese Gardens
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Houston Police Officer's Memorial
Cullen Sculpture Garden
Tranquility Park
GALVESTON
Galveston Seawall
Pleasure Pier
Galveston Historic Downtown
LA PORTE
Sylvan Beach Park
PASADENA
Armand Bayou Nature Center
FRIENDSWOOD
Oxnard Park
What to Wear
This is the second most popular question after location. What do we wear? It all depends on you, really. But here are some recommendations.
Keep in mind that you want to stand out, not to blend in with your background. You also want to be the subject, so wearing the right outfit makes you stand out and not your clothing or accessories.
STYLE
Think about the style you want to go for. Do you want your images to look light and airy? Elegant and Soft? Stunning and alluring? Bright and fun? Dress accordingly! Flowy fabrics and neutral colors give photographs a light feel. Dressing in the same colors but adding a bit more classy fashion into the mix makes the photos more elegant. Dark-colored formal or semi-formal clothing will give an alluring yet elegant vibe to any photoshoot, especially one outdoors. Brightly colored accessories can make the portraits more laid-back and fun.
CLOTHING TYPE
Women: Short Dresses, Maxi Dresses, Jeans, Leggings, Skinny Jeans, and a cute blouse. Nothing wrong with a little bit of sequins either!
Men: Button-up shirts, Jeans, khakis,
PATTERNS
Solid color clothing will help keep the focus on you as a subject, especially when there is a lot going on in the background. I would try to stay away from clothing that has words, logos, or graphics on it, unless this is a graduation, work, or school shoot. Patterns aren't always the best for photographs, but sometimes it works with seasonal shoots. A gentle Plaid flannel shirt looks nice in fall photo shoots.
COLORS
Light, dark, neutral or muted colors all work well to keep the focus on you. Colors like white, cream, light blue, slate, navy, light grey, taupe, ivory, burgundy, and black all photograph very nicely. For a group portrait, choose one to three colors of similar tone that work well with each other, but don't try to be too matchy-matchy.
JEWELRY
Jewelry should be minimalistic, you don't want to overdo it and draw the attention away from yourself. Also, jewelry that its too large and reflective makes capturing photos tricky.
HAIR
If you are planning on getting a haircut or trying out a new hair style, do it at least two weeks before the shoot. Keep hair simple but pretty. If you like your hair better down, wear it down!
NAILS
In any shoot, your nails will show at some point!
Ladies, make sure your nails have a fresh coat of polish on them that hasn't started to chip yet. Neutral colors work best as they will not draw too much attention to your hands or clash with the different outfits you brought.
Guys, just make sure to clip and clean up your nails and cuticles.
If you are going for a casual or beach shoot where you will be barefoot, don't neglect your toenails!
Keep in mind that you want to stand out, not to blend in with your background. You also want to be the subject, so wearing the right outfit makes you stand out and not your clothing or accessories.
STYLE
Think about the style you want to go for. Do you want your images to look light and airy? Elegant and Soft? Stunning and alluring? Bright and fun? Dress accordingly! Flowy fabrics and neutral colors give photographs a light feel. Dressing in the same colors but adding a bit more classy fashion into the mix makes the photos more elegant. Dark-colored formal or semi-formal clothing will give an alluring yet elegant vibe to any photoshoot, especially one outdoors. Brightly colored accessories can make the portraits more laid-back and fun.
CLOTHING TYPE
Women: Short Dresses, Maxi Dresses, Jeans, Leggings, Skinny Jeans, and a cute blouse. Nothing wrong with a little bit of sequins either!
Men: Button-up shirts, Jeans, khakis,
PATTERNS
Solid color clothing will help keep the focus on you as a subject, especially when there is a lot going on in the background. I would try to stay away from clothing that has words, logos, or graphics on it, unless this is a graduation, work, or school shoot. Patterns aren't always the best for photographs, but sometimes it works with seasonal shoots. A gentle Plaid flannel shirt looks nice in fall photo shoots.
COLORS
Light, dark, neutral or muted colors all work well to keep the focus on you. Colors like white, cream, light blue, slate, navy, light grey, taupe, ivory, burgundy, and black all photograph very nicely. For a group portrait, choose one to three colors of similar tone that work well with each other, but don't try to be too matchy-matchy.
JEWELRY
Jewelry should be minimalistic, you don't want to overdo it and draw the attention away from yourself. Also, jewelry that its too large and reflective makes capturing photos tricky.
HAIR
If you are planning on getting a haircut or trying out a new hair style, do it at least two weeks before the shoot. Keep hair simple but pretty. If you like your hair better down, wear it down!
NAILS
In any shoot, your nails will show at some point!
Ladies, make sure your nails have a fresh coat of polish on them that hasn't started to chip yet. Neutral colors work best as they will not draw too much attention to your hands or clash with the different outfits you brought.
Guys, just make sure to clip and clean up your nails and cuticles.
If you are going for a casual or beach shoot where you will be barefoot, don't neglect your toenails!
What to Bring
Here in Texas, water is a necessity any time you step out of the house! It is so important to stay hydrated. I have listed some things you may not think to bring, but may wish you had once we get out there.
Six Things to Bring to Any Session
1) Some cold waters
2) A change of clothes
3) A change of shoes
4) Some Sunscreen
5) A hairbrush or comb
6) A blanket or Quilt to sit on
2) A change of clothes
3) A change of shoes
4) Some Sunscreen
5) A hairbrush or comb
6) A blanket or Quilt to sit on
What to Bring for a Specific Shoot
For all photo shoots, make sure you bring the six essentials listed above. If you are doing a specific photo shoot, you may want to consider bringing the following as well...
ENGAGEMENT SHOOT:
- The ring, of course!
- Extra lipstick for the ladies (trust me)
SENIOR SHOOTS:
- Cap & Gown
- Letterman Jacket
- Something that defines you
- FFA Jacket
- Band Instrument
SHOOTS WITH CHILDREN:
- A favorite toy or blankie
- Snacks
-Adorable outfits
PREGNANCY SHOOTS:
- An Ultrasound picture
- Baby Shoes
- Baby Clothes
- Balloons
NEWBORN SHOOTS:
-Cute baby clothes
-Diapers
-Baby Wipes
-Pacifier
-Accessories
ENGAGEMENT SHOOT:
- The ring, of course!
- Extra lipstick for the ladies (trust me)
SENIOR SHOOTS:
- Cap & Gown
- Letterman Jacket
- Something that defines you
- FFA Jacket
- Band Instrument
SHOOTS WITH CHILDREN:
- A favorite toy or blankie
- Snacks
-Adorable outfits
PREGNANCY SHOOTS:
- An Ultrasound picture
- Baby Shoes
- Baby Clothes
- Balloons
NEWBORN SHOOTS:
-Cute baby clothes
-Diapers
-Baby Wipes
-Pacifier
-Accessories