If you are scheduled from 2:00 - 3:00 and show up late or not ready, you will have less time in the camera room. If you need to get ready here (hair, makeup, etc.) please arrive early enought to be ready by your appointment start time.


Clothing

Avoid stripes and plaid! Solid colors are less distracting than patterns or prints! Also bring a variety, don't bring five blue outfits, even if it is your favorite color. Avoid clothing with wording on it (except for your school logo, cheerleading outfits, letterjackets, etc.) We suggest something dressy, something casual and something inbetween for good variety. Remember, it's best to do one or two outfits mom will like, then we can do the stuff YOU like, that way, everyone is happy.

Our new sessions let you do unlimited clothing changes within your scheduled time period. This means if you change fast, you get more variety. Spend all day in the dressing room, you get less time in front of the camera. Most people get 3-4 changes per hour, more if they are quick and work easy. A jacket or sweater that you can throw on over an outfit makes for a varied look and a quick change.

Some shots are close up, others full length. Plan outfits completely. Its hard to do a full length formal in you suit if all you brought were old tennis shoes.

As a general rule remember that light clothes look better on light backgrounds, darker clothes on darker backgrounds.

Group your outfits together on hangars. It's amazing how many people come with all of their clothes stuffed in a bag, and wonder why they are wrinkled. We have an iron for touch ups, but you don't want to waste our session time ironing.

Hair
Avoid changing your hairstyle or cutting your hair right before your session. Let it be natural. Quick easy hairstyle changes during your session are OK. Although your photographer tries to help with improperly placed hair, it is hard to know what your hair is "supposed to look like". Make sure you like the look and let the photographer know your prefrences. Hairstyle is ultimately your responsibility.

Jewelry
The best tip here is; "keep it simple"! Necklaces, earrings or pins are certainly in good taste and can be worn without distraction. We want the attention on you. Big, shiny jewelry can distract form the real subject, you.

Makeup
Apply as you would normally wear it for an evening out. Pay special attention to your eyes, which are what people see first in a photograph. An extra coat of mascara can really help bring out your eyes. Bring lipstick and powder for touchups.

Glasses
If you wear glasses all the time, you'll want to have them in your portraits. We recommend having your optician either remove your lenses temporarily from your frames or lend you a pair of frames like yours, but without lenses. This eliminates the glare and distortion problems associated with wearing glasses.

Sunburn/Tanning
• AVOID SUNBURN! Sunburn and peeling skin do not photograph well. if you are a winter or spring session and you tan has faded, you might consider tanning, but do not over do it. Too much of a tan can make your face flat and featureless, so don't overcook.

Complexion
We retouch blemishes, so don't worry about minor breakouts.

Props
Bring them! Feel free to bring props that define who you are and express your individuality. Some popular choices are: Sports equipment (soccer ball, football, hockey stick, etc.), Sports uniforms, musical instruments (tuba to electric guitar), Activities (dance leotard and shoes, hobby equipment, you name it...) Vehicles, (outdoors of course), or even your favorite pet (if they are housebroken).

Friends and Parents
Friends and parents are welcome. They can be a help and make your session more fun. However, if they distract you it might be best to have them wait in our gallery. You can have a couple shots with a boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend at on extra charge.

Tatoos, Scars and Braces
Just let the photographer know if you want tattoos to show or not. Its that easy. Scars are not automatically retouched, but can be removed or softened at your request. Extensive work may have a slight extra charge. Braces? Dont worry, you could have the tops taken off for your photo session. We can retouch braces out, but at an additional charge. But don't fight smiling. A braces smile is better that trying to hold back, and ending up looking goofy.

Weather for Outdoor Portraits
Welcome to Portland where we are at the mercy of mother nature. Often if it is just raining slightly, photography is still possible, in fact, it usually means great light. If the rain is falling fairly hard we will need to reschedule. We will call you if you have a morning session that we need to cancel, otherwise, we are on! If it is during the day and you are unsure, please call the studio.

Guys

Clothing
Remember, if mom gets her nice shot, she is much cooler on letting you get what you want! So make her happy and keep her off both of our cases.

Bring the right shoes for the outfits. Docs or sandals photograph much better than big, bright tennis shoes.

Bring a dark t-shirt to wear under dark shirts. A white t-shirt triangle under a dark shirt sticks out like a sore thumb. so bring a black or gray.

Avoid large, bold brand names or words on clothing. Already, a few big names from just a few years ago, you would not be caught dead wearing now. No need to make your portraits advertising billboards for a clothing brand.

Shaving
"Five o'clock shadows": if you have a dark or heavy beard, schedule and early morning portrait appointment or make time to shave before your session. Even several hours' growth can be evident in a photograph and cannot be removed by retouching.
Got a goatee that mom hates, but you love? Do your casual shots first with it on, then bring a razor and go to the restroom and shave it off for mom's formals. Everyone is happy that way!

Hair
Be careful of changes right before your session. Bleached hair does not look as good in photographs. It is a short trend and you may find it looking real silly once the trend is gone. Natural or maybe frosted tips are better than the white, totally bleached look. You may not even have that by the end of the year.

Girls
There are certain thing girls should be aware of and watch for in their preparation:

Clothing Styles
Be careful of baggy clothes that might make you look larger than you are. Make sure your clothing flatters you. If you think you have large arms, be careful of sleeveless styles, they can make your arms look fuller. V necks are always flattering, turtlenecks and mock necks can make you look heavier than you are..

Wild to mild. We don't really tell you what you can and can not wear. A little sexy is OK, but don't make ALL of your outfits that way. We photograph everything from prom dresses to swimsuits. What one person likes may not be appropriate for the next person. Our philosophy is as long as it is rated PG, we don't care.

Clothes for Black and White
The black and white "glamour" look that is so popular is best with black clothing. The contrast between the skin and black is what makes them so dramatic. So bring some black, wild to mild. Dark bottoms are also in order.

Outdoor Sessions
Most outdoor sessions do not have places to change. But if you wear a layered outfit, you can add or drop a piece for a different look.

Undergarments
It is amazing how many times someone will come in wearing flowered underwear and not realize it is a problem until they go to put on their WHITE PANTS! Or come in wearing a white bra and put on a black sleeveless shirt. Please bring appropriate foundation wear for each outfit. Flesh colored is the best you can hope for. Also, if you need a strapless, bring one. Tucking the straps down usually shows and looks bad. With todays thin fabrics, you might want to carefully select these pieces so they do not give unsightly lines.

Finger and toenails
NAILS SHOW! If they have the paint all chipped off, it will show. Many casual shots are done barefoot, so don't forget about those toes! Avoid real bright colors. Natural or basic work best. We don't want to draw attention to your neon orange toe nails. And they may look really bad with your next outfit!

Tan and Strap Marks
Tan lines are not attractive in portraits. We suggest you vary your swimsuit top or use a tanning bed to minimize any tan marks. Remember to not overdo your tanning, skin that looks like dark leather is not the most attractive.

Makeup
Makeup should only be slightly heavier than normal. About like you might wear in the evening. Mascara should be clean and contain no clumps. So if your mascara is old and clumpy, replace it first.

• If you have any questions about your portrait session, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are interested in helping you look your very best!