What to bring to a photo shoot
February 22, 2011 at 12:40 AM

Being photographed

110221 2345

https://www.facebook.com/notes/larry-colen/what-to-bring-to-a-photo-shoot/10150109670769243/ 

 

While there are some people who possess the superpower of being able to flash a 1000 watt smile any time that a camera is pointing at them, most people don't consider themselves to be photogenic. And while most people aren't able to magically look great in front of the camera at a moments notice, it's not their fault.

 

Almost anyone can be the subject of a great photograph, but very rarely, when they are tense, and nervous, and have someone shoving a cheap camera in their face, insisting that they smile, and simultaneously criticizing that smile. After a lifetime of bad photographers taking bad photographs, it is even harder to relax in front of the camera when you just know that the result is going to look like you're grimacing with a bad case of indigestion.

 

One of the most critical aspects of getting good photos of someone is teaching them to relax in front of the camera. This is why I like to take my time when doing a portrait session, and do several sets of photos. The goal of the first sitting is not to get great photos. I like to start off with a short session, where we spend 20-30 minutes taking photos, trying different positions, and adjusting the lighting. When we are done, after taking 50-100 frames, we will have several pictures that don't suck. This doesn't sound like lofty aspirations, but most people go most of their lifetime without getting any pictures of themselves that they don't consider horrible. Just getting a few pictures that aren't bad, and in fact are pretty good, is such an improvement, that for the next session, they can actually relax in front of the camera, and we can start getting good photos.

 

Over the course of the day, as we learn to work with each other, and get more comfortable, the quality of the pictures will steadily improve. One of the wonderful things about digital photography is that it basically doesn't cost anything to take more photos. We can shoot several hundred pictures over the course of a photo, and are bound to get at least a couple of good photos. We don't care how many bad ones we throw away, all we need are a couple of good ones, and it doesn't cost us anything to keep taking pictures until we get a couple of good ones.

 

I have never been able to smile on command, and feel that a natural neutral expression looks far better than a forced smile. With most people a natural smile looks even better, so I may try to crack a joke to get you to smile or laugh, but I'm not going to ask anyone to plaster on a fake smile.

 

Glasses can be a challenge for good photos. Not only do they hide the eyes, but it can be very difficult to get a photo without the lights reflecting in the glasses. I understand that many people don't feel comfortable having their picture taken without their glasses. I'm blind enough that very few people have seen me without my glasses, and for many years considered them an integral part of how I look. If you absolutely must wear your glasses, I understand and will work with you. However, if you wear glasses, I strongly suggest that you consider getting your picture taken without them. It makes it a lot easier for me to get a good picture of you.

 

What to bring:

 

Ultimately, photography depends on there being lights to illuminate the subject. When there is light, there will be reflections, reflections that don't always look good. You should bring some powder to cut down on reflections off your face. One thing that people who don't wear makeup, i.e. most guys, may not know is that this powder should be matched to your skin tone. At this point, I can't afford to buy a complete range of powder to match everybody's complexion, so please make sure you bring some. If you're a guy, go to a place that sells cosmetics and ask them for help. They are trained professionals and you are very unlikely to be the first guy that has needed their help.

 

If you wear makeup, and have a makeup kit, then bring it.

 

In a similar vein, most people find that certain combs, or brushes work much better on their hair than others do. Don't leave it at home. Chances are that I won't have one that works as well.

 

If you have a comedy CD, or something on your iPod that you find funny, then I encourage you to bring it to listen to during the shoot. I've got my arsenal of corny jokes, but you're better off with a trained professional. Likewise, if music is something that'll help you sit still or relax, bring that to listen to.

 

I have found that someone's good friend can do a much better job of bringing out the best in them than I can. We may be longtime friends, or we may have just met. Many people find it a lot easier to relax when working with a close friend, and all I'll need to do is sit back and take advantage of the chemistry that you have with your friends.

 

Bring lots of clothes, and a wide variety of clothes, preferably in a wide range of colors. Also bring jewelry, props and accessories. Do you have brightly colored scarves? They can be a great accent, especially if we're doing photos with a dark background.

 

Hats are very tricky. The right hat, with the right pose can make an otherwise good picture into a great picture. However, hats can block the light, block your face and can also make an otherwise good picture into a mediocre picture. Don't be afraid to bring hats along, but also be willing to take them off.

 

I'm one of those guys who barely even noticed when someone was wearing shoes, much less any thing about them. One of the things that I've learned since doing portraiture is how much people like pictures of shoes. Bring shoes, as many as you like. They can very often be that finishing detail that really helps the photo. If you're a guy, who like me, barely even notices shoes, then it is even more important for you to bring a variety of shoes, because, lets face it, there's a good chance that the shoes you pick, aren't going to work well in the photo.

 

Getting silly:

 

Over the years, I've compiled a few collections of my best photos. One of the things I find myself saying a lot when showing my best shots is “We were doing a photo shoot, and things got silly”. So, perhaps the most important thing to bring is an open mind, and a willingness to relax, have fun, and maybe get just a little bit silly.