A Guide to Portrait Sessions
Whether you're preparing for a solo portrait, a family photo session, or a quick mini shoot, this post offers valuable tips on what to wear, how to prepare, and posing suggestions to ensure you get the most out of your session. I'm excited to share these insights with you and help make your photoshoot a fun and memorable experience!
Portrait session in client's apartment in Berkeley. An example of sitting on the edge of the couch slightly turned to the side while leaning forward.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident: Choose outfits that align with your vision for the photos. The tips below are just suggestions to help guide you, but ultimately, it’s important to wear what you love!
Neutral colors are always a great choice: Neutral colors avoid unnatural color casts and keep the focus on you. The colors you choose will influence the mood and tone of your photos—whether you prefer rich jewel tones or soft pastels, the choice is yours. Just avoid neon colors, as they can create an unnatural light in photos.
Solid verses patterns: Solid colors generally work better than patterns or graphics, which can be distracting and shift attention away from you. If you prefer to wear a patterned item, balance it with solid pieces, such as pairing a striped skirt with a solid top.
Coordinate for Group Shots: For group photos, coordinate your colors to create a cohesive look. While everyone doesn’t need to match exactly, it’s helpful if the colors complement each other and fit within a similar palette.
Press and Lint Roll Clothing: Lint and wrinkles can be more noticeable in photos, so taking the extra step to iron and lint roll your clothing will help ensure your final images look clean and polished.
Engagement portrait session in Joaquin Miller Redwood Park in Oakland, CA. The couple is wearing neutral coordinating colors and this photo was captured while in movement during some lighthearted banter in order to have the ease, close connection and joy shine through the image.
How to Prepare Before the Photoshoot
Get Plenty of Sleep: Ensure you get a good night's rest before the shoot. Being well-rested will help you look and feel your best.
Create a Mood Board: Compile a Pinterest board or collection of images and poses you like for inspiration. Share this with your photographer in advance or keep it handy on the day of the shoot.
Pack Essentials: Bring items you might need, such as a water bottle, snacks, a hairbrush, props or accessories, a lint roller, or makeup for touch-ups.
Arrive Early: Allow yourself extra time to park and get to the location at least 5 minutes early. This is especially crucial for Mini Sessions, which are often back-to-back and only 15 minutes long.
Familiarize Yourself with Poses: Practice posing beforehand (below are some posing tips,) particularly for Mini Sessions. While your photographer will guide you with prompts and directions, being familiar with basic poses can be helpful.
Stay Positive and Have Fun: Remember, photoshoots are a collaborative experience involving you, your photographer, and the environment. While having a plan is useful, be open to spontaneous moments. Sometimes the best shots come from unplanned, unique interactions.
Photoshoot in client's apartment. This photoshoot had several outfit changes, a break for tea and played with many different poses and looks.
Photoshoots with Children:
Children are full of surprises, so flexibility and realistic expectations are key. To help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, here are a few tips for parents:
Prepare in Advance: Talk positively about the photoshoot beforehand, and make sure your child’s basic needs are met, such as having a good breakfast, snacks, and any necessary naps.
Allow Extra Time: Give yourself and your child extra time before the photoshoot to avoid rushing. Let your child know ahead of time when you’ll be leaving, which helps them feel prepared and more comfortable. Children pick up on our cues, so maintaining a calm and positive attitude will encourage them to be in a better frame of mind for the photoshoot.
Manage Expectations: Understand that children may not always stay focused, so aim to capture group shots early in the session before they become tired.
Create a Fun Atmosphere: Engage your child with games or jokes to make the photoshoot enjoyable. If things don’t go as planned, remember that capturing a range of expressions can also create memorable moments.
Collaborate with Your Photographer: Your photographer will look to you for guidance on how to handle various situations. They’re there to document your family’s unique dynamics, and working together will help achieve the best results.
Family session at the Albany Bulb. An example of smiles from laughing after some jokes were told, close connected feel with children sitting in laps or hugged by parents, parents close together, and coordinating outfits with limited patterns.
Posing Tips
These tips are intended to help you feel more confident and aware of your body in photographs. Don’t worry about mastering them—your photographer will guide you throughout the shoot. My approach involves giving prompts to help you move naturally and capture fresh, authentic images. However, having a basic understanding of these concepts can be useful for certain poses.
How to Stand:
Assertive Stance: Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and toes pointing slightly outward and knees slightly bent. Imagine a string pulling up through your spine, keeping your posture tall with shoulders back and down. Breathe through your chest to enhance this confident look.
Elegant Stance: Lean your weight onto one side and pop one hip up and angle in slightly. You can also bend the opposite knee and lean it towards the same side you are leaning your weight to create a more curvy appearance.
What to Do with Your Arms and Hands:
Assertive Appearance: Place one hand in a pocket and let the other arm hang naturally at your side. You can also do something with your hands such as play with a shirt cuff or watch.
Elegant Appearance: Create space between your arm and body by slightly bending your elbow. This technique slims and elongates your figure, by adding shape and separation. You might also hold or interact with an item, like a skirt or accessory, to look natural.
Group Shots:
Points of Connection: To create a cohesive and flattering photo, aim for points of connection between individuals. Stand close together to minimize gaps and maintain a unified look. If comfortable, hold hands or place an arm around one another to add warmth and connection to the image. Another effective technique is to angle one person's shoulder behind another, which can also have a slimming effect.
Family Shots with Children: For children, those who are small can be held, while older children can stand next to a parent, either holding hands or hugging their parent’s leg. In family photos, positioning parents in the center with children on either side often creates the most balanced and visually appealing composition.
To Smile or Not to Smile:
Genuine Smile: If you think of something funny or respond to a joke from your photographer, your smile will come across as more genuine because there will be energy behind it and the smile will reach your eyes.
Natural Lips: When not smiling, a slight space between your lips often looks most natural. To achieve this easily and relax the face you can take a breathe in through your mouth. Practice in the mirror to see how it looks. Remember, you don’t need to smile in every photo—moving and being relaxed will naturally produce beautiful, candid expressions.
Sitting Poses:
Assertive Pose: Sit with your knees out and lean slightly forward, back, or to the side.
Elegant Pose: Sit at a slight angle with your legs to the side. Perch on the edge of the chair with your legs bent. This positioning creates flattering curves and separation between your body and limbs.
Family Sitting Pose: For a picnic-style sitting shot, have the parents sit down first, side by side. Then, arrange the children on either side of the parents or on their laps, ensuring that everyone’s faces are visible and no one is blocking another’s view.
Favorite Side:
Preferred Angle: Not everyone has a preferred side for photos, but if you do be sure to let your photographer know. If you’re unsure or curious if you do have a preferred side, look in the mirror and cover one half of your face at a time to see which side you prefer.
*Bonus Tip I: To elongate your neck, gently pull your chin forward and then tuck it slightly down. This technique helps avoid the less flattering appearance of pulling your chin back into your neck.
**Bonus Tip II: Leaning slightly forward towards the camera can make the image appear more engaged and energetic.
Couples portrait session in my backyard studio. This image shows several points of connection, neutral solid colors that coordinate, and warm smiles. The couple is also leaning forward slightly which makes the image more engaging.