Tips for 1st Time Photo Session for an Aspiring Model or Actor

If you're an aspiring model or actor and are preparing for your first photo session, here are a few tips to get you started to make that first photo session a real success.

Give it your all and bring out the extrovert in you! In front of the camera is where you can show a little bit of an exhibitionist attitude.

To get you to that level, you'll need to do some research. Pick up 6-10 fashion magazines, age appropriate of course, and start looking for your favorite head shots, 3/4 length shots, and full length shots. Cut out all your favorites and group them into studio shots and location shots. Then break them up into Color and Black and White shots. Start looking at these pictures as a critic, and look for good expressions, also look at the photography and see if you like the style or lighting.

Now you should have anywhere from 50-100 photos that you've collected from magazines. Find the photos you think best suit you or that you feel you could emulate, copy or do.

Take those best shots and place them in front of a nice large mirror and see if you can pose like the models in the photos. I've had many beginner models practice in front of the mirror and then come in for a photo session and you can really see they did practice and were ready for the photo session while others came in and were clueless about how to move and express themselves in front of the camera.

Understand that the more animated or exaggerated you can be in front of the camera the more the photo session will generate great shots. Now this does not mean you need to be a robot and start stiff posing, it really means being able to flow naturally from expression to expression and with body movement.

Have you ever seen a magazine layout featuring one model within 10 photos and in all 10 photos the model has the same expression. Well that probably was the last time that model was hired from that magazine. So don't bore the camera, or the viewer.

If you can develop a number of expressions, and attitudes, in your portfolio, people reviewing your photos will say things like, he is or she is very talented, moves well, is a natural and has a lot of personality.

Get the right clothes for your photo sessions. Accessories are the finishing touches to any photo. Right accessories make an ordinary outfit into something fabulous. Jewelry, hats, scarves, belts, and shoes, are all important ingredients to a captivating fashion image. Without these ingredients in your shots you can look just plain and ordinary.

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Tips for Maternity Portraits

Schedule your photo session on a day that you, your partner, and your children (if they are going to be in the shoot) will be relaxed and well rested. Try not to schedule too many appointments on that day either before or after the shoot.

Portraits should be taken around the 6th of 7th month. The belly is the optimum size during this time for portraits purposes. Of course, portraits can be taken up until the end of your pregnancy.

Several hours before your photo shoot, you'll want to remove anything with elastic, such as tight shirt, pants underwear or bra to prevent elastic or strap marks on your skin.

Tops should be very form fitting at least around the bust line. Big shirts won't show off your form… and showing your form is the whole point. You'll want something to cover your breasts, but still expose the belly. Brining a robe is a good idea to throw on in the studio in between poses.

Your hands are most likely going to show… so don't forget to have a manicure and pedicure too.

Eat a light snack before the shoot.

Limit jewelry to essential pieces. While it's nice to include special or important jewelry in your portraits, too much jewelry will be distracting.

If you pictures are going to be with your partner and children make sure the outfits have similar colors.

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Tips for Newborn Portraits

Keep the day of your shoot simple and relaxed. Dedicate the entire day to your baby and yourself. From the moment you wake up visualize how effortless and flawless your portrait session will be, sip your favorite tea, and listen to your favorite music.

Clothing can leave red marks and impressions in your skin that can take hours to disappear. We will remove marks and lines but too many can be tricky and time consuming. To get the most out of your time with us we suggest that you apply a loose fitting diaper and clothing to your baby one to two hours before your shoot. If you are planning topless or breastfeeding portraits with your newborn, you should also avoid bras and other elastics.

Babies become lost in the background when there are too many elements in the picture. For the best results, keep jewelry, toys and people to a minimum and avoid clothing with patterns.

Please have plenty of towels or cloth diapers at hand. Newborns can pack quite a few surprises during a portrait session. Backup clothing for mom and dad might be a good idea too.

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Tips for Babies and Children Portraits

Please remember that mornings are the best time to photograph kids: they are fresh, rested and have good attitude. Schedule you session after they have napped, eaten and had a diaper change.

Be prepared for the unexpected things like wiping drool, a sudden roll over or a fast get away.

Baby’s playtime is a good time if you want a wide-awake, happy child in your pictures.

Other pictures taken – during their nap, eating or even when the baby is crying can make cute pictures.

Good informal portraits can be made if the baby’s attention is focused on something that moves or makes a noise.

Give toddlers a new item they have not seen before.

Don't tell children to smile for the camera or "say cheese". This is likely to result in unnatural smiles and strained faces. Exactly what we are trying to avoid. It is better not to tell children that they are going to have their photograph taken at all so there is no build up or pressure on them.

A great look can be obtained with mother and child dressed in the same color.

For snack breaks; avoid chocolate and have them drink white color juice to avoid stains on clothing.

Little girls look best without nail polish.

Head to toe coordination is recommended.
Use personal/heirloom touches – stuffed animal, blanket, chair, toys, pearls, etc…

Wear clothes that you or your children normally wear and that are comfortable. You want to look and feel like yourself. It’s okay to wear clothes that are a little worn. Avoid trendy clothes that may be out of style in a year.
Solid and bright colors are best. Avoid large, bold or plaid patterns; they draw attention away from the face. Save stronger/dark colors and patterns for accent items (scarves/neckties). We do not recommend clothing with writing, ornate designs or logos.

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Tips for Family Portraits

If you have children in your family, please remember that mornings are the best time to photograph kids: they are fresh, rested and have good attitude.

If you have a nursing infant, nurse them before you leave, and be prepared to nurse them before or during the photography session

Feed your kids a heavy snack or light meal before leaving for the photography studio. This means feeding them their favorite foods that you know will agree with their stomach! Never try a new food the day of pictures

Try to dress family members somewhat alike, using a core color or look.

Don’t dress a group of people in all white. A large amount of white will overpower the picture and draw attention away from the people.

Some examples of clothing “looks” or combinations: khaki and white, pale yellow shirts and jeans, jeans and grey/blue/greens shirts or sweaters, khaki pants and blue jean shirts, smocked dresses, white turtlenecks with fleece pullovers, overalls, etc. You can combine a couple of colors to vary what family members are wearing.

Make sure you don’t have somebody in the group who is dressed differently from the rest of the family. (Example – everyone has on khakis except Dad, who is wearing black pants.)

Do not mix formal and casual clothing in the same portrait.

Hold practice sessions in your home. Try to not do it the day or two before pictures, but a little ahead of time. Then allow your children to forget temporarily about it so that on picture day the excitement and familiarity will both be there.

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Hair and Make Up

Hair and make-up will be performed by our professional team. You should come to the session with clean hair and no make-up.

If you wish to have your hair done somewhere else before the session, we recommend that you use it a style with which you feel comfortable. Do not experiment with new types of hairdo the day of your photo shoot. If you want to have your hair cut, please do it a several days before the photo session.

If you need any additional information, please write us at tips@giovannamolina.com
We will get in touch with you in the following 24 hours.

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