Use this checklist to help you feel prepared, relaxed and confident before your session.
You do not need to know how to pose or feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. I will guide you through your posture, expressions and movements so you can look and feel like yourself.
Before Your Session
Think About Your Goals
Consider where your images will be used:
- Website
- Social media
- Marketing materials
- Speaking engagements
- Press features
Think about how you want to be seen:
- Warm and approachable
- Confident and authoritative
- Creative and expressive
- Professional and polished
- Relaxed and welcoming
For a personal branding session, think about the different parts of your personality, profession or business you would like your images to show.
Plan Your Wardrobe
Choose clothing that makes you feel confident and reflects your personal style or brand.
Select solid colours when possible. Strong choices include:
- Navy
- Black
- Cream
- Grey
- Jewel tone
- Rich earth tones
Avoid:
- Very small or distracting patterns
- Large logos or graphics
- Neon colours
- Clothing that requires constant adjusting
- Uncomfortable clothing
- Busy accessories that compete with your face
Bring a few clothing options.
Consider adding layers such as:
- Blazers
- Jackets
- Sweaters
- Cardigans
For a personal branding session, bring outfits that show different sides of your work, such as:
- A polished professional look
- A relaxed or approachable look
- A creative or personality-driven look
- Try on each outfit before your session.
Sit, stand and move around in each outfit to make sure it feels comfortable.
Make sure all clothing is clean and pressed.
Bring clothing on hangers to help prevent wrinkles.
Choose Accessories and Branding Items
Bring accessories that support your look without distracting from you.
Consider bringing:
- Simple jewellery
- Watches
- Scarves
- Glasses
- Coordinating shoes
For a personal branding session, bring relevant items connected to your work, such as:
- Laptop
- Notebook
- Camera
- Books
- Products
- Tools
- Creative materials
Choose items you naturally use in your business rather than props that feel forced.
Hair and Makeup
Choose a hairstyle that feels polished but familiar.
Avoid making a major haircut or colour change immediately before your session.
Keep makeup clean, natural and polished.
Bring your usual touch-up products, including:
- Lip colour
- Powder
- Comb or brush
- Hair products
Avoid trying new skincare products, facials, waxing or beauty treatments during the few days
before your session.
Professional Makeup Artist
A professional makeup artist is available for an additional $300.
Makeup services must be booked in advance.
Arrive with your hair and makeup ready unless professional makeup has been added to your
session.
Glasses
- Clean your glasses before your session.
- Bring the glasses you wear most often.
- Bring a second pair when available.
- If you wear transition lenses, bring a pair that does not darken in bright light.
- Studio lighting may activate transition lenses and make them appear tinted in your photographs.
- Bring frames without lenses when available.
Hands and Nails
- Make sure your hands and nails are clean and neatly groomed.
- Choose a simple or neutral polish unless a bold colour is part of your personal style or brand.
- Your hands may be visible while holding a product, using a laptop or interacting with items related to your work.
The Week Before
- Finalise your wardrobe options.
- Gather your accessories and branding items.
- Try on every outfit.
- Check that your clothing fits comfortably.
- Avoid major beauty treatments close to your session.
- Let me know about any specific image requirements, backgrounds or branding needs.
The Day Before
- Get a good night’s rest.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid excessive alcohol.
- Avoid very salty foods that may cause puffiness.
- Press your clothing and place it on hangers.
- Organise your shoes, jewellery and accessories.
- Clean your glasses.
- Charge any devices you plan to include in your photographs.
- Clean and prepare your branding items.
- Place everything together so you are not rushing on the day of your session.
What to Bring
- Clothing options on hangers
- Coordinating shoes
- Jewellery and accessories
- Glasses, including a non-transition pair
- Lint roller
- Comb or brush
- Lip colour and powder
- Makeup or hair products for touch-ups
- Branding items or work-related materials
For personal branding sessions, we may create:
- Headshots
- Seated portraits
- Standing portraits
- Working images
- Environmental portraits
- Detail images
- Lifestyle or behind-the-scenes photographs
The goal is to create a consistent collection that shows different sides of you and your brand.
After Your Session
- You may receive a proof gallery to review or select favourite images within the session.
- A gallery may be created for you to select your favourite images.
- Your selected photographs will be professionally retouched.
- Your final images will still look natural and recognizably you.
My goal is not to change how you look. It is to create photographs that help you feel seen,
confident and ready for your next opportunity.
I look forward to having you in front of my lens.
