Shoot Guide: Prep for your Session with ABCW!

Being prepared is the best way to ensure a smooth and productive session. We want to aim to have fun and be COMFORTABLE in front of the lens! Read over this shoot guide to get ready to take the BEST photos!!

Photography myth busted: “We can just edit it out” please don’t approach the session with this mindset. We want to frame and compose clean shots so post processing does not take extremely long due to retouching needs. Photoshop is a time consuming process; the more “photoshopping” the more time it takes for the final delivery of the images. The more than can be corrected on set, the absolute better.

Preparation Before the Shoot:

-Clothing: Choose outfits that match the desired look and feel of the shoot. Avoid busy patterns and logos/graphics. Coordinated colors work well for group photos but avoid matching entirely. Be sure your clothing fits properly and that you feel 100% comfortable in them.

-Grooming: Get haircuts or trims a few days before the shoot. Consider makeup and nail care. Let your MUA know you will be doing a photoshoot and could “potentially” be using flash. This information can help them make sure your base color is not too light because that will show up on camera. Skin color correction is a time consuming process and is an additional charge.

-Sleep & Hydration: Ensure you get a good night’s sleep and stay hydrated. Hydrated skin looks better in photos.

Day of the Shoot

-Arrive Early: Plan to arrive a little early to account for any last-minute preparations or traffic delays. Arriving late and flustered is what we want to *avoid* do be mindful that there is a $25 late fee when you are over 15 minutes late.

-Eat: Eat a light meal or snack beforehand to maintain energy. Photoshoots can be pretty exhausting! (Bring snacks to bribe the kids with! Lol)

-Essentials: Pack a small bag with touch-up makeup, hairbrush, water, and any personal items needed for the shoot. Please put these in a separate bag as pockets should be empty while we shoot!

Posing Tips

-Relax and Be Yourself: Natural expressions and relaxed poses make for the best photos. Trust my direction and feel free to let me know of any insecurities or *least favorable* angles.

For the couples, we want to reflect your closeness. Although you may feel awkward in front of the camera, you have to lean into the fact that you’re doing something fun with your favorite person! Loosen up and make it FUN!

-Practice Poses: Practice a few poses and expressions in front of a mirror beforehand to find your best angles. Pinterest is a great place to start if you want to research posing.

-Posture: Stand or sit up straight. Good posture can make a significant difference in photos.

Props, Personal Items + Communication

-Personal Items: Bring any items that have special significance or match the theme of the shoot (graduation gown/hat, laptop, books etc)

-Props: Please let me know ahead of time if you plan on bringing props so I can ensure it works with the creative vision and so we can work it into our session timeline.

-Discuss Ideas: Share your vision and ideas with me before the shoot. Collaboration leads to better results and it also ensures that we can make the most of our time together!

-Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about anything, ask! I appreciate when my clients are engaged with the process. Being up front is OK with me!

During the Shoot

-Stay Positive: Keep a positive attitude. A relaxed and happy demeanor reflects in the photos. I’ll give you direction, prompts and other things to ensure we’re moving along and getting genuine moments! The key is to LOOSEN UP and not think too hard into it. If you need a sip of wine beforehand, no judgement here! 🙂

-Trust the Process: Trust my expertise in positioning, lighting, and composition. Sometimes it’s easy to make assumptions about what might “look good” but the art of photography can surprise you. Trust that I’m leading you in the right direction and that we’re getting amazing shots!

After the Shoot

-Review Proofs: Expect your proofs 3-4 days after your session. Take time to review the proofs and select your favorites carefully. Do be mindful that there is a gallery reactivation fee 7 days after the proofs have been sent. Once your proofs gallery is submitted, it is a 7-10 day turnaround period for the final edits. If you need quicker turnaround times, there are add-ons for that!

-Feedback: Provide feedback about your experience. I love a Google review!! (Here’s the link! https://g.page/r/CYJLBlCUABZZEAE/review)

Additional Tips for Specific Types of Shoots

-Family Portraits: Coordinate clothing and colors but avoid being too matchy. Keep it comfortable as possible for children. Prepare for the kids to be pretty *over it* after about 20 minutes or so. It’s best to move at their pace and get what we can.

-Headshots: Choose professional attire that reflects your industry. Keep hair and makeup simple and natural because it allows for versatility and more backgrounds. Clothing should be solid in color. Layers are great so we can capture versatile images.

-Engagement Photos: Consider the location and outfits that reflect your relationship and interests. Feel free to suggest any unique location ideas such as your favorite ice cream shop or adventure sessions such as the mountains, waterside etc.

A few reminders:

• ABCW does not alter bodies WHATSOEVER! This is a body positive company and we encourage all clients to embrace their true selves.
• Payment is due BEFORE the session. If your payment is not received before your session, your images will be on hold until the invoice is paid.
• Kids will be kids, if they’re not cooperating and posing for shots we can always aim for documentary style! Don’t be defeated if the kiddos aren’t responding well at points during the session.

I’m here to help every step of the way! Send mood boards, inspo pics and even photos of your outfits so I can get a full visual beforehand. Any questions you have, please ask!

Let’s make some beautiful memories together! Xo, Court