Why you should hire a professional photographer.

If you haven’t hired a professional photographer here is your sign. In this digital age, so many social media platforms and sites create a high demand for photos. I’ve put together 3 reasons why you should book a photoshoot for yourself.

Book a photoshoot to update your dating app photos.

Roughly 70% of Americans have used one or know someone who has used a dating app. Dating apps put a heavy emphasis on appearances and having a great set of photos on your dating profile will set you apart from everyone else which will help your chance of finding a match.

Book a photoshoot for work or your business.

Refreshing your LinkedIn photo or website can help give you a more professional look.

Book a photoshoot to help boost your self-confidence.

Booking a professional photoshoot for yourself can help boost your self-confidence because when you look good you feel good. Find a good photographer to help make your inner model come out.

How to Prepare for a Beach Photoshoot.

If you want to do a photoshoot at the beach, then you’ll need to know how to prepare. These simple tips can help you make the best out of your shoot.

1. What location will you be shooting at?

The number one thing you should figure out is the location. Where will you be shooting? Most beaches tend to be public and will be crowded so it is good practice to map out where you will be so you can distance yourself from the crowds.

2. What to wear for your beach photo session.

Step away from the traditional to bring a different spin on your look. You can start with the items that are listed below.

i. Swimwear (Bikini/Swim Trunks)

ii. Pants & T-shirt/Button up

iii. Shorts & Shirt

iv. Dress

3. What to bring for your beach photo session.

Besides just bringing the outfits that you've decided on it helps to bring a few extra items that you may not remember.

i. Towel – You may get wet or just need a place to sit. Bringing a towel will help you with typical beach problems.

ii. Shoes – There’s so much sand at the beach and it gets everywhere if you do not have the proper beach footwear you could end up with an irritating mess later.

4. Bring Props to your beach photo session

Bring some items that will help bring your photoshoots’ vibe to life.

i. Umbrellas

ii. Beachballs

iii. Hats

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PHOTOSHOOT

So you’ve just booked your photoshoot and you're wondering how to prepare for your photo session. Whether or not this is your first photoshoot or one of many, these simple steps can make any photoshoot that much more seamless.

I’ve put together a simple guide with steps you can take to help you get the best results possible.

DISCUSS THE THEME OR MOOD OF THE SHOOT

Discussing the theme or the mood will help the photographer visualize what type of a photoshoot you are looking for whether it be simple headshots or beach photos helping the photographer get an idea of what you're looking for will aid in getting the desired look. You can search for ideas by looking through Pinterest and searching the theme you are looking for. On Pinterest, you will find tons of inspirational images that you can show your photographer to get the desired look and feel for your photo session.

LOCATION

Is your photoshoot going to be in a studio or will it be on location? If it is in a studio it is best to get there about 15 to 20 minutes before the shoot. Studio shoots typically have time frames that you have to work with and getting there earlier will allow you to find the location and get settled in so you can use all the time you’ve set. If shooting on location arriving early will allow you to find your photographer and figure out the setup (where you’ll shoot). Additionally, if you are shooting on location ask the photographer will there be a place to change in and out of each of your outfits.

PREPARING CLOTHING

Once you have your theme and mood picked out for your photoshoot you’ll want to think about the outfits that you will want to wear. With the help of the photos that you have researched through Pinterest, you can look for clothes that will fit that aesthetic. If you have no idea of what to wear, ask your photographer for suggestions (Colors, types of clothing to wear). Most importantly, you will want to prepare them the night before the shoot by making sure they are free of wrinkles and can be accessed quickly and easily. You can do this by separating each outfit and hanging them on hangers.

POSING/DIRECTION

You don’t have to be a professional model to do well on a photoshoot. Anyone can look good with proper direction. Although it is typically the job of the photographer to help direct you and help find angles that make you look your best, having just a little bit of knowledge beforehand will make things less tense and awkward. There are tons of videos on various platforms like Youtube, Tiktok, and Instagram Reels that you can find to get ideas for posing (Posing Ideas for_____).

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PHOTOSHOOT

So you’ve just finished your photoshoot and you're super excited to see the results. What is the next step? Communicating with your photographer on when and how they deliver your photos is an important step so you both can be on the same page and avoid any surprises later.

For example, if it were one of my shoots:

1. I would send a link to the photos a day or two after the shoot so the client can tell me what photos they want for editing. (8 detailed edits then any originals that you like)

2. After receiving the photos you want to be edited the time for completion will take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks.

3. Once the photos are complete I send a link to the digital edits and originals you have chosen.

So now that you have a better understanding you can hopefully get the most out of your photoshoot and create some amazing images!