When you book your next family, senior, or engagement photo session, there are a few key tips to help you to get the most out of your time. Remember, you are paying for quality photography, but there are many things you can do to improve the experience and the outcome.  In this article, I will cover points such as what to wear, choosing a location and posing.

Almost every time I book a photo shoot, I get the same question. “What do I wear?”   Sometimes, the question should be, “What not to wear?”  The key is to not overdress. Many people are nervous and uncomfortable posing for pictures in the first place. The last thing you want to do is wear stiff, uncomfortable clothing. If you are uncomfortable, it will show. Also, consider the weather. If your photo session is in the summer, wear summer clothing. A sweater in the hot July weather is not going to make for a pleasant time. If you are hot and uncomfortable, it will show through in your portraits.

Dress children comfortably as well. Resist the urge to dress little Tommy in a 3 piece suit and little Suzy in a pageant dress. Children are often difficult to photograph because they are nervous. They have a strange person telling them, “Say cheese”, and pointing a strange contraption at them. Many children are intimidated by the flash and the fact that the camera covers the photographer’s face when they are shooting. The most appropriate clothing for children is something nice that coordinates well with mommy and daddy, that they can move well in.  If you are going for Sunday best, make sure the clothing is not restricting in any way.  Remember, no matter how hard you try, it is often impossible to keep your children clean and crisp for a photo shoot and I will demonstrate how very little what they are wearing really matters.

I once took pictures for a mother and her two children at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, GA.   Halfway through the shoot, the children decided to roll in the mud. Surprisingly, the muddy photos turned out to be a treasure.

Some things to avoid:

Whenever possible, avoid wearing stark white or solid black. These colors do not photograph well. Also, avoid green if your setting is outside. Green tends to blend in with the foliage and I would much rather you stand out than blend in. Green also has a tendency to reflect and cast a green tone to the skin which is undesirable.  Instead, choose bright colors that will stand out, and contrast with the scenery.

When planning your portrait session, I recommend layering whenever possible, for variety. For example, wear a tea length dress with a white cardigan. Start with the cardigan on for the first half of the session and then remove it.  This way when you get your proofs, you will have more to choose from. You can also bring multiple outfits, layering options and shoes to give your session even more variety.

Location, Location, Location!

Most of the time, people just ask me where they should take their photos. To be honest, I don’t obsess over the location very much. This is because i have taken portraits in a ditch on the side of the road, and they were stunning! The background is not the focus. You are!!  When selecting a location for your photography session, keep a few things in mind. Know what you want. Consider the end product.  Your photographer will be able to make suggestions based on the number of people, what you are wearing, and what you want the “feel” of the picture to be. Look for a location with variety. For example, a park in the town where you live may have areas with foliage, flowers, a playground, benches and gazebos. The more variety you find in the location you choose, the more poses you can do and the more proofs you will be able to choose from in the end. I also find that it is a lot easier to pose when you have props. Think of the swing set, the basketball court, the flowers and even the grass as props. These are things that you can focus on and interact with in your photographs to make your poses seem less, well “posed”.  If you have children, make sure the location you choose is “kid-friendly”. In this case, the ditch on the side of the road would not be appropriate.

Plan ahead.

Save time by planning ahead. Know what you want and give examples to the photographer. Photographers are a breeding ground of ideas and we see life in frames, as if we are looking through a camera lens. However, we can’t read your mind. If you see something you like, save the image, or describe it in detail to the photographer. We love new ideas, and we love a subject who is willing to step outside the box, even more!! Take some time before your session and visit Flickr.com. Search for family portraits or engagement photos and see what others have done. Flickr is an online community of photographers and an amazing source of inspiration.

Pose is a four letter word.

Personally, I despise the concept of posing. Having said that, I once photographed a little girl who would strike a pose on command and it was absolutely adorable. For argument sake, just for now, forget everything you know about photography and clear your mind of all classic poses with your hand on your knee and your head tilted just so…. Instead, be creative, voice your ideas, and above all BE YOURSELF! That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few key things to remember to help you make the most out of each shot.

I’ll let you in on a little secret.

As a photographer, I take about 25 times as many pictures in each photo shoot, than I actually present to the client. This is true of most of us. The days of carefully posing and framing up each shot were over with the introduction of digital film. Now, photographers do not have to worry about wasting film. Therefore, it is less important to pose perfectly and wait for the flash. However, I am still going to share some valuable advice to take beautiful portraits. Women often fear the dreaded double chin. So they tend to point their chin for the sky and hope for the best. In my opinion a double chin is far better than a turtle neck. When you pose in this way, it looks unnatural. It is better to point your chin downward in a more natural way. If the double chin is persistent, try something else. Try turning your back to the camera and glance over your shoulder.

If it bends, bend it!

Women have natural curves that should be accentuated. Tilt your head, shift your weight, or bend one leg to create a more relaxed appearance.  Men are the opposite. Men look better when they face the camera head on with square shoulders. I prefer to accentuate their broad shoulders and encourage them to evenly distribute their weight on each leg.

When I do group pictures, I am often asked to pose everyone. They expect to be placed in rows based upon height. Remember, pose is a dirty word. When I photograph group portraits, I ask the subjects to group together as if they were having a conversation, then turn and face the camera. Sometimes it helps to have something to gather around such as a tree. People may have to be rearranged to make sure that everyone is being seen, but for the most part, I believe this approach is much more natural.

Don’t say cheese!

Someone had the brilliant idea a long time ago to train people to say cheese when posing for pictures. This is because it is virtually impossible to say the word without showing your teeth. However, it is very possible to look like you are baring your teeth. It almost never looks natural! If your smile feels awkward, it will look awkward. Smile easily. Instead, relax your mouth, and remember a laugh can make magical moments. If you are uncomfortable, practice your smile in the mirror. Remember, a smile is not always necessary. Another interesting concept is Tyra Banks’ “smize”. Tyra added a new word to the English language with her America’s Next Top  Model mantra about “smizing”.  Click here to visit an article that is all about smiling with your eyes.  The way I do it is to relax my mouth, part my lips slightly, bring my chin down, and imagine that my eyes are burning a hole in the camera.

The most important key to stunning portraits is to relax! I know this sounds impossible, but there are many ways to make it easier. I like to take music along to play while taking pictures to help the subject to relax. It is like soundtrack music for your own personal movie!

When it comes to photographing children, there are no rules.

It is not unusual for a child to cry or refuse to smile. They are often uncomfortable, and timid. Photographers have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves to get your little angel to liven up in front of the camera. However, no one can make your child smile and laugh easier than you can. Don’t rely on the photographer (a stranger) to produce a smile. You know their personality, their likes and dislikes and what silly sounds and movements make them giggle with delight. Bring toys to help put them at ease and help them to feel in their element. Often, posing them just doesn’t work. Try tickling them, twirling them around, or playing tag. This can create

magical pictures that will look better than classic posing could ever produce.These things work. Their natural personality will shine through in every photograph. And if all else fails, and little Tommy or Suzy never crack a smile, have faith in your photographer and their ability to make the magic happen. You would be surprised how many of the photos will come out better than you expected.

Remember these tips and your next portrait session will be fun and fulfilling. You will be delighted with the results.