ROAR SUCCESS - Branding photo shoot

Pre-shoot checklist

I've put together this little checklist to support your preparation, which will help to dispel some of the nerves. I will also give a short briefing on the day, to advise you on how to get the most out of your session. Your little photo shoot will be short and painless, I promise!

I'm very much looking forward to meeting you and producing some beautiful photographs together.

Hair & Makeup

Generally I advise ladies to style their hair and makeup similarly to when you are heading on a night out. Photographic lighting tends to 'bleach' colours a bit, so while you might feel a bit 'weird' or 'over made-up' for daytime, it will look great on-camera. Having said that, we're not aiming for Ru Paul drag-queen style here! Subtle nighttime makeup is ideal.

Half an hour before the shoot is not the time to experiment with a new look! If you're thinking to try something different, have a play in advance, so you're sure of your intention on the day.

Some ladies ordinarily never wear makeup - and if that is your preference I certainly won't be the one to try to change your mind. Having said that a subtle touch of lip colour and a dab of mascara/eyeliner can help to offset the effect of bright light.

Wardrobe

Colour The first thing to consider here is if you have a key brand colour that you would like to echo. You don't need to overdo it, but if you choose colours or tones that complement your brand, your photos will tie in really nicely when you use them in your marketing materials.

Patterns When you see images of professional women in the media you will notice that there is a lot of block colour, and patterns tend to take a back seat. There are two reasons for this,
1) block colours tend to be more 'classic' in terms of fashion, so there is more longevity with the usage of the images;
2) block colours tend to look good on-camera;
3) very fine patterns, e.g. tiny dots/stripes - particularly in dark colours - can create a moiré pattern on-camera (that funny effect that makes your eyes dance a bit!) so it is best to avoid them.
4) Very bold patterns can sometimes be overly dominant. Having said that, feeling comfortable and confident in what you choose to wear is the most important consideration. If you feel great in bold patterns, don’t dial it down!

Cut Avoid very 'on trend' styles that will 'date' your shots.#BubbleSkirtsAreComingBack! If you’re planning on wearing a short-sleeve top or dress, it can be good to bring a jacket so we can try an option also.There are no rules as far as trousers versus skirts or dresses is concerned. The most important consideration is well-fitting clothing, that are well-presented. (For anyone allergic to an iron, this is one occasion that it’s really worthwhile to use one ;) )

Glasses If you usually wear glasses and want to be photographed wearing your glasses we can facilitate that, however it can slightly limit our options in terms of location and lighting due to reflections. For some people glasses are their statement piece, but if you are comfortable wearing contact lenses I'd recommend them.

Posing

I will help you with posing, HOWEVER, if you come prepared you have a much higher potential to be delighted with the outcome. Take a few minutes to research successful brand images that you like and select a few poses to bring with you as a reference for me. An appropriate presentation is very much determined by your brand and how you'd like to be perceived in relation to your brand. For one person being dressed smartly and standing in a quite formal 'shoulders back' position might be ideal, for another a cosy slouch in casual clothing, curled in a large chair might suit their style. It's absolutely individual. Consider what is right for your look, e.g. seated, standing, 'action', looking towards/away from the camera. If you can be prepared with a few visual examples of what you love it will help me to produce the best result for you. Pinterest can be really helpful in gathering a selection.

Props

This is definitely not a requirement, but you might like to bring a prop with you, to help you feel relaxed or to give more of a sense of a 'fly on the wall' moment. Examples can include a glass of wine, a laptop and a cup of coffee, something related to your everyday activities - e.g. fabric and a needle and thread if you are a maker. Don't over-think this. It's only relevant if you have an obvious prop that relates to how you would like to present yourself.

Location

We are going to be staying and shooting in a really beautiful location (lucky us!). Weather permitting we might have the option to choose between indoor and outdoor locations. If you have a real preference one way or the other please consider it beforehand so you can let me know at our little briefing session.

Finally, hangovers don't usually work well on camera! If you're scheduled for a Thursday morning slot, try to go easy on the vino the night before ;) All the best, Fran