There's one thing I notice in practically every photo shoot. People usually worry not about the camera itself, but about whether everything will look „right“. Whether the clothes will darken, whether the make-up will be too bright, whether the hair will look like it just came out of bed. The good news is that preparation doesn't have to be complicated. It just takes a few smart decisions and a little attention to detail, which is more visible in photos than in the mirror.
The first step to take before thinking about an outfit is to figure out what mood you want to be in. If you want a warm, cosy, homely feeling, then loud prints and shiny fabrics are usually out of the question. If you want a bolder look, you can play with a brighter colour or a more interesting silhouette, but it's still important that it's you and not the suit. The photos are very revealing when a person is uncomfortable.
Clothes that work for you in photos
Clothes in photos do two things. They either help you to be seen or they distract from you. As a result, simple solutions that have good fabric, a neat shape and a colour that suits you usually win.
If I had to give one universal piece of advice, it would be. Choose clothes you've worn before and know you feel good in. New clothes that have not yet been tamed sometimes behave strangely. Suddenly it starts to wrinkle at the waist, it presses somewhere, and all the time you're thinking about that one imperfection and not about the photo shoot.
Colours are a simple subject, but with a twist.
Earth tones, muted colours, milky white, beige, olive, blue, graphite look very nice in the photos. And neon and very contrasting patterns can obscure your face. Of course, if your style is always bright, you don't have to re-educate yourself for one photo shoot. It's just worth having a plan.
Another place that people forget is sleeves and collars. An open collar or a V-neck often elongates the neck and makes it look light. A very high collar sometimes adds weight, especially if the hairstyle is also closed. Sleeves are also interesting. Shorter sleeves often look lighter, while very tight sleeves can accentuate underarm wrinkles. These are small things, but they show up in the photos.
If it's a couple or family shoot, it's a good idea to match the mood rather than identically. Not all with white shirts and jeans. It's better to choose a general colour direction.
Say one person wearing a milk-coloured coat, another wearing a navy blue jacket of the opposite colour, and a child wearing a soft pink/milk coloured jacket. The colours talk to each other and the image stays alive and in harmony with each other.
Fabrics and fabric surfaces that look nice, not weird
The camera likes texture. Knits, linen, denim, wool, soft corduroy, matt cotton usually look very good.
Glossy, high-synthetic fabrics sometimes create reflections, especially in the sun or in stronger light. In a photo, this can look like a stain, whereas in reality everything looked normal.
Another thing is wrinkling. Linen wrinkles, of course, and there is some charm in that, but if you want a tidier look, it's at least worth making sure that there are no sharp creases in critical areas. Sometimes it's enough just to hang the clothes the day before the shoot, rather than pulling them out of the bottom of the wardrobe.
Shoes and socks that silently spoil the shot.
It's so classic, everything is nice, everything is in sync, and then a pair of sports socks with a bold text pops up in the frame, because „oh, it won't show“. You can see. Or shoes that are comfortable, but so worn out that they look sad in the photos.
If it's an outdoor shoot, choose shoes that fit the location. In the woods or in the meadow, high heels tend to be an ordeal. If you want elegance, neat stilettos or simple leather shoes are better. If it's a studio shoot, then more is possible. But even then, it's worth thinking about whether the shoes fit in with the whole look and don't have a separate life.
Make-up that looks natural in photos
Make-up for the camera is a bit different from the make-up you wear every day. In photos, the face often „eats“ some of the colour, especially if the light is soft. This sometimes makes very light make-up look like it's not there at all and makes the face look flatter. But this doesn't mean that you need a thick powder and bold contours.
If you're doing it yourself, think about three things. Skin evenness, brows and lips. Even skin doesn't mean it has to be as matt as a wall. Less is better, but thorough. Eyebrows frame the face in photos. And the lips add liveliness. Often a lip pencil and a tinted lip balm are enough.
Avoid very glossy products in the T-zone as they can create reflections. And be careful with SPF powders or creams, which can sometimes „wash out“ the face from the flash. If you're having a photo shoot with a flash or strong lighting, it's better to choose products without intense SPF. If you don't know how your products will look before the flash, take one test photo with your phone flash. You don't need a whole photo shoot, just one shot is enough.
Another thing that is sometimes forgotten is the hands. If hands are visible in the shots, areas of very dry skin or uneven nails may often show up in the photos. It doesn't take a perfect manicure, but neat nails and a cream can often work wonders.
Hair that falls beautifully and doesn't get angry with the wind
Hair in photos is half the image. Even if you're wearing a plain sweater, beautifully styled hair creates a sense of order. But neat doesn't mean it has to be „glued“.
For outdoor shoots, simple solutions often work best. Light waves, semi-clipped hair, a low ponytail with a few loose strands.
The wind will still do its work, so it's better to have a hairstyle that doesn't become a tragedy.
If your hair is prone to frizz, take a small comb or brush and a hair elastic. Sounds boring, but it saves the day.
If you're planning to visit a hairdresser, don't make radical changes the day before the shoot unless you really know what you want. At the time of the shoot, you may feel uncomfortable because you haven't yet made friends with your new hairstyle, let alone made changes you didn't want to make.
Small details that go big in photos
Jewellery. Less and quality is better than a lot and noise. Chunky shiny earrings may look great, but if they reflect light directly into the camera, strange flashes can occur. If you prefer jewellery, choose one accent. Either earrings or a chain or a watch.
The details of clothes are also important. Labels, loose threads, a hair elastic accidentally left on your wrist or a phone in your pocket. These things look like unintentional noise in the frame. It's a good idea to take a quick look at yourself from head to toe before a photo shoot, as if you were a friend who notices the little things.
And about glasses. If you wear glasses every day, don't try to give them up just for a photo shoot if you don't feel like yourself without them. Rather, tell the photographer that glasses are important to you, and then the photographer will look for angles and light to reduce reflections. Sometimes all it takes is a little twist and the problem is solved.
What to pack for a quieter photo shoot
I love it when people come prepared, not only externally but also practically. You don't need a big suitcase, but a few practical things that are very helpful during the photo shoot.
Get some water. Your lips and skin look better when you're simply refreshed. Bring tissues, especially if you're wearing make-up. Bring an extra outer layer, a jacket, sweater or jacket, because layering adds depth to photos, and sometimes the weather in Lithuania is such that you plan one thing and it doesn't turn out that way.
And more. If you feel stressed, give yourself five minutes before the shoot. Don't run, don't rush, just come, take a breath and look around. Because when you bounce back at the last second, you'll inadvertently convey the rush and tension in the photos with body language.
Finally,
It's not the perfect outfit or the perfect haircut that looks best in photos, but a person who feels like themselves. So go for what's close to your heart, but a little neater and a little more thoughtful.
If you have any questions, it's better to write to the photographer and ask for advice than to guess. Because it's certainly the case that a person is worried about a small detail, when in reality it's just a minor detail or an easily solved problem.
If you'd like to do so, drop me a line and tell me briefly what kind of shoot you'd like. I'll help you with the look and we'll arrange a time that works best for you!
