Preparing for your photos:

What to wear:
If you have booked a session with me and we have determined the location, feel free to contact me and I can help with your fashion choices.
Photos last a lifetime, so think more traditional and stay away from fads.  If someone sees it 20 years later are they going to laugh as you did when you saw someone in a blue leisure suit in an old photo?  When considering color or style think of the formality of the photo.  Are you considering a modern portrait or more of a traditional photo?  Traditional is more of a posed, usually what you see in a studio setting.  Modern is more relaxed and not as posed, more active and usually outdoors. For traditional, solid colors are best and if a group all should have the same tones.  Wear long pants and longer length dresses; avoid bold prints and clothing with large logos.  Personal grooming is important- men should be clean shaven or facial hair trimmed and neat. Modern portraits are usually outdoors so when choosing colors consider your backdrop.  Avoid wearing green if you will have your photos done with green hedges as your backdrop. You may dress more casual, but still consider the same dress concepts as traditional.  If children are going to be included and the photos will be done while they are playing be sure girls dresses are long enough were it does not ride up.  For group shots try adding color rather than all solid white or black. Think all solid brights or pastels, just keep int he same tones.

Few clothing suggestions:  Lingerie can show up under sweaters so consider a camisole.  Darker colors are slimming. If planning on having several clothing changes at outdoor shoots, consider the lack of changing areas so prepare by layering a tank or t-shirt under top layer.  Don't forget shoes to match your changes.  Keep clothes wrinkle free by hanging or folding neatly.

Clothing to avoid:  Bold patterns, stripes and plaids. Logos and lettering.  Sleeveless, too tight ot too loose clothing.

With your pet: When photographing with your horses or pet have good contrasts with your pets color.  If animal is dark color, avoid dark similar color and the same with light colors. Although sometimes this can have dramatic effects.

Preparing your animals for photos

Horses: Try to schedule portraits early morning or late afternoon for the best natural light.  Mid-day will cast unwanted shadows. Avoid feeding time; horses will do better when not excepting their next meal.  Try to feed before the scheduled time.  Some of the poses are slightly un-natural for horses so do not except your horse to be completely corporative.  If your horse is not already trained to stand still and whoa while in hand, work with your horse before your session. It will go smoother and will get more shots if you work with it ahead of time on this. Patience is important during the shoot. Tips for teaching your horse to whoa and set-up

Dogs: If your dog doesn't know a few basic commands like sit and stay, start working on it a few weeks before your session. Training most dogs basic commands doesn't take much time and it will make the session much less stressful for you, your dog and your photographer. Bring your dogs favorite toy to help get a good expression on your dogs face. Sometimes a brand new toy helps. Also bring some water and a bowl for your dog. Let your photographer know if your pet is fearful of anything. If the photographer doesn't have an assistant, have another family member or someone else your dog is familiar with to assit.
Choosing your location is very important. Safety for your dog is the most important thing to consider, not to close to roads or other dangerous places for dogs. Consider the coloring of your dog so you dog stands out and doesn't blend into the background.  Think of the time of year and climate. If your session in the summer consider the early morning so your dogs tongue isn't hanging out the whole time and doesn't become overheated if doing action shots.


 

Modeling posing tips