Photo Ready Checklist

Here are some great tips and easy tricks to look good in family portraits or selfies. I’ve gathered up some of my favorite beauty pointers that include a check list for the day of the shoot, right before, and during the session. Included are some flattering poses and things you can do to make portraits of you and family look natural and beautiful!

Day Before and Day of Photo Shoot

Here is a quick checklist of how to look your best for your upcoming photo session. Complete these before the day of the actual event.

• Make sure you nails are painted. I love to brush a glossy nude on my nails the morning of a photo session. One of my all time favorites is Bubble Bath (OPI) or Ballet Slipppers (Essie). Those pretty nails will most likely make it into the shot if you are holding small children.
• Apply make up in bright natural light. It will mimic the lightening that will most likely occur during your session. You will get a good even application.
• Play up your pout. Give your lips some life with a vibrant red or pretty pink. If you don’t normally wear anything on your lips start with a pretty pink/nude gloss. A little can a long way.
• Give some extra volume to your hair. You’d hate to get to the location and have your hair already fallen flat. A volume mouse or texture spray (I love Bumble and Bumble’s dryspun texture spray) while styling your locks really helps to hold the curl and bounce. Finish with a smoothing hairspray to keep everything in place.

Minutes Before

• Fluff up your hair and remove any oil with dry shampoo. Spray, let sit for a minute or two and then run your fingers through your roots to rub in the dry shampoo. Again adding in extra volume!
• Lastly spray sleek and shine hairspray to tackle any fly aways. A trick I learned is to use a toothbrush, dryer sheet or even the hairspray can itself and roll on its side over the fly aways to lock down the hair/ Don’t use your hands, it will just make it worse.
• Finish your face with a spritz of face mist. It will bring back life into your make up and your face will look fresh for the camera.

During the Shoot

• If you are outside look for open shade. This will help avoid any harsh shadows and ensure the light is even on you or your subjects. Also helps to avoid those squinting smiles.
• The most flattering and natural pose for a male is standing straight on with feet shoulder width apart, and the female feet turned 45 degrees towards the male, front knee bent and her belly button to his hip home. Then hands should always be “doing something”. Males can put their hands in pockets, females hold on to an arm, hold hands, swish your dress or skirt. Seriously its my go to couples pose because it’s SOO flattering!
• Don’t take the session so serious! If you fake smiles and force it you the camera will totally pick up on it. If you feel like posing and smiles are getting stale, take a break. Let the kids play and ask the photographer to snap while you run after them. Say silly things to the kids. Get them laughing. That’s really when the magic happens and you can get natural awesome images you will cherish for years to come.

Now say CHEESE and happy photo session!