First, know the details of the package you’re purchasing - if
you bought the quick and easy Headshot Package, don’t show
up with 5 changes of clothing... and a list of 4 outdoor portrait
locations... if you have any questions, just call me and I’ll be
happy to help.
Next, it's important that you be comfortable in your portrait
clothing - and it's also important that you like it...Sounds
simple enough, but I've had clients show up in outfits and
tell me they didn't like what they were wearing. For me to
get a great picture of you... YOU have to be relaxed, at ease
and happy with your appearance... not upset and agitated.
If there's a problem between you and your parents as to
what you're going to wear - first, remember who's paying...
and second, get the battle over with before your photo
appointment day. If you can't reach a compromise, I suggest
you consider purchasing a photo package that gives you some
latitude as to the number of outfits you can wear. Then wear
what you want AND what Mom & Dad want. Remember, if you
are upset, fussing or fighting on your portrait day, it will
negatively impact your photo's "karma"!
Great photos of you are my mission - enjoying the process
and having fun is the way we get them!
Clothing Colors
Personally I like my subject's clothing colors to be in the
earthtone shades - in the medium range: medium grays, blues,
browns etc. In a perfect world, I'd say avoid blacks and dark
blues, avoid whites and the lighter colors, avoid stripes and
busy patterns and avoid sleeveless tops...
Of course I will adjust for whatever you choose to wear to
your session - but over the years I've found 90% of my clients
tend to look their best wearing medium or neutral shades in
their portraits - especially in front of the "conservative, muted
gray, blue or brown backdrop" that most high schools state in
their yearbook's senior photo requirements...
Avoid extreme darks and extreme lights and you can't go
wrong with me. I've also found that medium-shades of most
colors work well with both studio and natural background
colors, they don't clash or fight against one another.
Having said that, if you are the Johnny Cash/Man-in-Black type
- or have always dreamed of wearing a white suit or outfit in
your senior photo... bring it on!! I will adjust for the technical
photographic problems they create.
Tanning/Sunburn Issues
If you are a Caucasian or light-skinned black individual, be
aware that suntan/sunburn lines can be a problem. I can
digitally fix just about anything - but if I have to spend
excessive hours Photo-shopping your sun-exposure related
burns, tan-lines and the sunglasses-created "raccoon-eyes"
out of your portrait, be prepared for some extra time charges.
My recommendation is to simply cool-it regarding round-the
-clock suntanning, boating, golfing, and other summertime
outdoor activities for at least a week before your
appointment. If your job or play schedule makes that
impossible, liberally apply a high-grade sun block product
whenever outdoors. (Good advice for everyone!)
Other Random Pre-Portrait Tips
As I have stated, unless you're going for a distinct look,
avoid sleeveless shirts and tops - especially if you are on
the full-figured side of the body type spectrum (like me).
If your package includes outdoor portraits, remember your
shoes/sandals will likely be showing - so make sure they
don't clash with your outfits.
Girls: unless you are going for a distinct look, do not over-do
your makeup. The "natural" look works best. Use moderation
as your guide. If you need help don't hesitate to ask your
mom or girlfriends to lend a hand on photo day. Bring your
makeup kit with you in case you need a touch-up during our
session! Also be aware that black or dark undergarments
worn under white or light-colored thin fabric clothing tend to
show through under the bright studio and bright sunlight
situations.
Guys: shave the morning of your portrait - unless you are
going for the Brett Farve look... Don't get a haircut the
day before your portrait session. Get your haircut, styling, etc.
at least 7-10 days before your shoot. That gives it time to
grow out a bit and look more natural.
Girls: the same goes for perms! Give your perm a chance to
relax a bit before your photo. Bring your hair styling stuff to the
session - just in case you need it.
Bring any props you want - hats, sunglasses, your musical
instruments, varsity jackets, uniforms, trophies, etc. However,
REMEMBER that most high school yearbook photo regulations
state "no hats, no props, no sunglasses, etc." - so we need to
shoot pose or two for the yearbook with your school's
requirements in mind. (Some schools have to yearbook senior
photo requirements, but I've found that 99% do!)
Feel free to bring along your parents or a friend or two if
you want! Please do not bring your whole family or
neighborhood however. I'm all for togetherness - but photo
studios usually aren't that big!
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT BLEMISHES, ZITS, ETC.
I can digitally fix these skin problems... It's NO PROBLEM
99.9% of the time.
Weather
Your portrait package will include both indoor/outdoor
photography. I generally have three or four "portrait days" in
May, June, July and August which you'll have an appointment
and a block of studio time (depending upon your selected
photo package) If it is raining on your portrait day session date
it doesn’t matter - show up on time and we’ll get your studio
shots over and done with. You'll also have a scheduled outdoor
portrait date - If your scheduled outdoor shoot is on a rainy or
threatened by rain day, I'll be in touch and we can keep an eye
on things together via phone interaction. Usually we'll cancel a
couple of hours prior to the scheduled start time if it's obvious
the weather won't be cooperating. Then we call it a "rain out"
and reschedule. Just like the Detroit Tigers... right?
Glasses
If you normally wear glasses you should have your photo shot
with them on. I generally can work around any glare in your
glasses. If you really want to go to the extra effort, you might
want to visit your optometrist and see if he/she will let you
borrow an empty pair of frames that match yours for your
session - no lens = no glare. I don’t really think you need to go
to that extreme, but the choice is yours!
And please, if you have any further questions regarding your
senior photo session, please don't hesitate to call me at
810-358-0490! Thank you!
you bought the quick and easy Headshot Package, don’t show
up with 5 changes of clothing... and a list of 4 outdoor portrait
locations... if you have any questions, just call me and I’ll be
happy to help.
Next, it's important that you be comfortable in your portrait
clothing - and it's also important that you like it...Sounds
simple enough, but I've had clients show up in outfits and
tell me they didn't like what they were wearing. For me to
get a great picture of you... YOU have to be relaxed, at ease
and happy with your appearance... not upset and agitated.
If there's a problem between you and your parents as to
what you're going to wear - first, remember who's paying...
and second, get the battle over with before your photo
appointment day. If you can't reach a compromise, I suggest
you consider purchasing a photo package that gives you some
latitude as to the number of outfits you can wear. Then wear
what you want AND what Mom & Dad want. Remember, if you
are upset, fussing or fighting on your portrait day, it will
negatively impact your photo's "karma"!
Great photos of you are my mission - enjoying the process
and having fun is the way we get them!
Clothing Colors
Personally I like my subject's clothing colors to be in the
earthtone shades - in the medium range: medium grays, blues,
browns etc. In a perfect world, I'd say avoid blacks and dark
blues, avoid whites and the lighter colors, avoid stripes and
busy patterns and avoid sleeveless tops...
Of course I will adjust for whatever you choose to wear to
your session - but over the years I've found 90% of my clients
tend to look their best wearing medium or neutral shades in
their portraits - especially in front of the "conservative, muted
gray, blue or brown backdrop" that most high schools state in
their yearbook's senior photo requirements...
Avoid extreme darks and extreme lights and you can't go
wrong with me. I've also found that medium-shades of most
colors work well with both studio and natural background
colors, they don't clash or fight against one another.
Having said that, if you are the Johnny Cash/Man-in-Black type
- or have always dreamed of wearing a white suit or outfit in
your senior photo... bring it on!! I will adjust for the technical
photographic problems they create.
Tanning/Sunburn Issues
If you are a Caucasian or light-skinned black individual, be
aware that suntan/sunburn lines can be a problem. I can
digitally fix just about anything - but if I have to spend
excessive hours Photo-shopping your sun-exposure related
burns, tan-lines and the sunglasses-created "raccoon-eyes"
out of your portrait, be prepared for some extra time charges.
My recommendation is to simply cool-it regarding round-the
-clock suntanning, boating, golfing, and other summertime
outdoor activities for at least a week before your
appointment. If your job or play schedule makes that
impossible, liberally apply a high-grade sun block product
whenever outdoors. (Good advice for everyone!)
Other Random Pre-Portrait Tips
As I have stated, unless you're going for a distinct look,
avoid sleeveless shirts and tops - especially if you are on
the full-figured side of the body type spectrum (like me).
If your package includes outdoor portraits, remember your
shoes/sandals will likely be showing - so make sure they
don't clash with your outfits.
Girls: unless you are going for a distinct look, do not over-do
your makeup. The "natural" look works best. Use moderation
as your guide. If you need help don't hesitate to ask your
mom or girlfriends to lend a hand on photo day. Bring your
makeup kit with you in case you need a touch-up during our
session! Also be aware that black or dark undergarments
worn under white or light-colored thin fabric clothing tend to
show through under the bright studio and bright sunlight
situations.
Guys: shave the morning of your portrait - unless you are
going for the Brett Farve look... Don't get a haircut the
day before your portrait session. Get your haircut, styling, etc.
at least 7-10 days before your shoot. That gives it time to
grow out a bit and look more natural.
Girls: the same goes for perms! Give your perm a chance to
relax a bit before your photo. Bring your hair styling stuff to the
session - just in case you need it.
Bring any props you want - hats, sunglasses, your musical
instruments, varsity jackets, uniforms, trophies, etc. However,
REMEMBER that most high school yearbook photo regulations
state "no hats, no props, no sunglasses, etc." - so we need to
shoot pose or two for the yearbook with your school's
requirements in mind. (Some schools have to yearbook senior
photo requirements, but I've found that 99% do!)
Feel free to bring along your parents or a friend or two if
you want! Please do not bring your whole family or
neighborhood however. I'm all for togetherness - but photo
studios usually aren't that big!
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT BLEMISHES, ZITS, ETC.
I can digitally fix these skin problems... It's NO PROBLEM
99.9% of the time.
Weather
Your portrait package will include both indoor/outdoor
photography. I generally have three or four "portrait days" in
May, June, July and August which you'll have an appointment
and a block of studio time (depending upon your selected
photo package) If it is raining on your portrait day session date
it doesn’t matter - show up on time and we’ll get your studio
shots over and done with. You'll also have a scheduled outdoor
portrait date - If your scheduled outdoor shoot is on a rainy or
threatened by rain day, I'll be in touch and we can keep an eye
on things together via phone interaction. Usually we'll cancel a
couple of hours prior to the scheduled start time if it's obvious
the weather won't be cooperating. Then we call it a "rain out"
and reschedule. Just like the Detroit Tigers... right?
Glasses
If you normally wear glasses you should have your photo shot
with them on. I generally can work around any glare in your
glasses. If you really want to go to the extra effort, you might
want to visit your optometrist and see if he/she will let you
borrow an empty pair of frames that match yours for your
session - no lens = no glare. I don’t really think you need to go
to that extreme, but the choice is yours!
And please, if you have any further questions regarding your
senior photo session, please don't hesitate to call me at
810-358-0490! Thank you!
Senior Photo Tips...
| BRAD THROWER'S bluewater photography - over thirty years photographic experience!! - |
