How To Prepare for a Great Photoshoot

Sometimes media smartphones suck. They can both have you thinking that you’re not photogenic, or that no matter what, your photoshoot is gonna suck.

The reality is that everyone can, and should, have super successful photoshoots that reflect who they are and casts them in their best light. You don’t have to have alien-level symmetry to your face. You don’t have to have the best, most expensive clothes. You don’t need a photographer that lugs around a super-sized lens (more about that here).

What you actually need, more than anything, is to feel comfortable in your own skin.

I know, that’s coming off as a “love yourself and the world will too” vibe, but i’m not that naive. There will always be someone who thinks you’re not good enough; that’s a reality for every single person in the world, even people like Beyonce or Angela Bassett.

No, what I mean is that you should not come to a photoshoot presenting anything other than yourself. Sessions should not be treated as a one-size fits-all. Expressions, clothes, colors, and poses that work is going to shift from person to person. When you acknowledge that and lean into it, the result is a beautiful shoot that captures you as you, not you pretending to be a generic Instagram model.

Remember that amazingly terrible show America’s Next Top Model? Remember how they would awkwardly force the models to pose in uncomfortable locations, in uncomfortable clothes, and sometimes with truly awful props? Remember how some models could manage their way through it, and the ones that couldn’t were considered weak? Well, remember, that was a terrible show. Those models that “failed” were not weak, they were uncomfortable and forced to do things that were not suited to them, and arguably are not suitable for most people.

Again, the goal is to be comfortable, both physically and mentally. With that in mind, here are six ways to get ready for a great shoot. Some points are geared specifically for you, and the rest are ways to help your photographer capture your likeness accurately.

1.Turn off Instagram

Instagram has this really amazing talent of making everyone who is on the app feel inadequate. Whether it’s people sharing their fun vacation adventures or their moody Zoe Kravitz-esque posts, or some amazing boba drink they just got, it can make you feel like your current life is just not cool enough. It doesn’t matter if you just posted a great selfie or just got off a yacht, somehow it just seems cooler when someone else is doing it. It’s the FOMO effect.

I don’t know how to defeat the FOMO effect other than just keeping in mind that Instagram might as well just be a pair of rose-colored glasses. The last thing you want to do is go through the app and then emerge into the real world again just to see everything as un-tinted and therefore, undesirable.

Life is enough. You are enough. Experiences are so much more expansive than what is presented in a 1080x1080 square on the Internet. Don’t look at Instagram, then look in the mirror and decide that you aren’t enough; you are more than enough, and when you can embrace the beauty in the real world, in the little things that make you you, you are bound to have a better shoot.

2. Pretend that you never saw that “model face” TikTok

For some people, the bored look works wonders. For others, the best thing you can do is give a great big smile. It’s silly to assume that everyone’s face is suddenly going to look amazing because they are feigning disinterest in the world. Our underlying bone structure varies from person to person, which means that how our faces look when we are carrying one expression or another is also going to vary.

Also, have you ever heard of that thing where the people who love you, see you as beautiful even when you don’t, are seeing your face in ways that you never do? They are catching those magical moments, those micro-expressions that are unique to you. They’re the ones tracking your smiles, seeing how any lines in your face define you in ways that differentiate you from other people.

Imagine if we just threw away all those little moments for the sake of holding “model face” through an entire shoot. How very boring, am I right?

The same goes for poses. You can and should definitely try out different poses, but know that if one doesn’t look quite right, it’s just because different bodies are different; there will always be a stance that works great for you and some that just won’t.

3. Know what you want to use the photos for

This one is helpful for both you and your photographer. Knowing what you want or need to use the photos gives purpose and direction to the shoot. It wouldn’t make sense to try and go high fashion in your shoot if you need professional shots for LinkedIn. If you’re getting shots done for the sake of pursuing work as an actor or musician, it also helps you and the photographer know the importance of capturing some insight into your personality.

Also, if you want to use props, it also helps you choose ones that work best for the shoot at hand. Again - if you’re for instance looking into becoming a hike leader, you might want to bring some hiking gear and not a surfboard. That’s a really “duh” example, but it applies for anything.

With that in mind, let’s talk wardrobe.

4. Prepare your wardrobe at least a day beforehand - and pick out clothes that you feel confident and happy in.

This point has similar points in mind as #2 and #3. Don’t try to wear someone else’s wardrobe - not unless you feel amazing in it, anyway. I’m not at all against re-creating a look, but don’t do it at the loss of your comfort and/or confidence. The shoot is always going to work out better when you’re wearing something that you feel good in.

Also, be sure to wear something that suits what you’re taking the photos for. As a bonus point, let your photographer know what you’re planning on wearing so that they have an idea of how your outfit will/could capture on the day of. It may be that you have amazing flowy sleeves; that may be an outfit better for a wider angle lens, and the photographer can prepare for that.

5. If you’re choosing the location, choose one that you’re comfortable in

Do not shoot somewhere you’re not comfortable in. The energy will show up, and on top of that, it could be downright dangerous, considering where the place is. It’s also a great idea to confirm locations with your photographer beforehand too - you also want them to be comfortable.

Furthermore, do not let your photographer convince you to shoot somewhere that you are not comfortable. If they keep trying, get a new photographer.

6. If you feel more comfortable wearing makeup, then wear makeup.

And the same goes for if you do not feel comfortable wearing makeup. If you don’t then don’t do it. This goes again to authenticity. Wearing makeup or not does not make a person more honest; choosing which way is most comfortable for you is what makes you more honest.

*BONUS During-The-Shoot Tip*

Stay Loose, Breathe, and Have Fun.

If there is a pose that you want to try, then communicate that with your photographer. If there’s something you don’t want to do, then communicate that too. Ultimately, you are paying for this time, and these photos will belong to you. Make sure that you get what you need out of the session.

Communicate. Breathe. Have fun. Be Silly. Talk about things that you enjoy. Your photoshoot should not be miserable. Now, this one is a two way street; your photographer should also be open and communicative. If they aren’t or they’re not respectful of your wishes…then it might be time to find a new photographer.

Keep these things in mind and watch your next session improve dramatically. A comfortable model with a competent photographer can achieve more in a shoot than the most symmetrical, but uncomfortable, model in the world can.

If you're looking for a lifestyle/portrait photographer, I'd love to work with you! Portfolio and booking: www.oracamistudio.com