The Most Common Questions Answered

I find that people are often nervous about getting their portraits taken because the process seems downright intimidating. The prospect of sitting down in front of professional lighting and having a camera pointed directly in their face can be a lot to mentally handle. Understandably, they usually ask me how to prepare before their photo session, what's going to happen during the photo session, and then even what happens after the photo session.

That's why I want to chat about some of these common questions. Whether you’re planning on working with me, or are considering going with a different photographer, this information should be super helpful for you. Trust me, having answers can really ease any nerves you might have leading up to your photo shoot and help the overall process move along smoothly.

What Should I Wear to My Photo Session?

Let’s dive right in. The number one question I get is, “What should I wear to my photo shoot?” Here’s my advice: wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable. Avoid busy patterns that can distract from your face. I usually recommend solid colors. A pop of color can be great—like a vibrant shirt under a blazer. If you’re wearing a darker top, consider accessorizing with a contrasting necklace or tie. The goal is to have your face be the focal point of the photo.

If you purchase a new outfit prior to your photo session, make sure to try it on beforehand, and longer than two minutes in the store dressing room. Make sure it feels good when you’re sitting, standing, or moving around. Clothes can feel different when you’re in various positions, and the last thing you want is to be is self-conscious about how you look during your session. Your level of confidence makes a huge difference in your facial expressions and posture while your photos are being taken, and it's directly reflected in your photos.

Even if you own or work with a business that has a uniform or dress code, you still need to take special care with your outfit. Make sure your shirt is clean and ironed the day of your session. While I can remove any stains and excessive wrinkles from clothing after the session (and I have done this) it's best to get your portraits as ideal as possible during the session itself.

Can You Fix My Face or Body?

The second most common question I get is, “Can you fix XYZ on my face or body?” This one's a biggie, and I totally understand where this comes from. I firmly believe everyone is beautiful, but I also understand that we all have our insecurities (I certainly do, ha). It’s natural to want to look your best for your portrait. The good news is that tasteful retouching comes standard with my professional services.

Now, I want to be clear: I believe in keeping things natural. Sure, I can technically make drastic changes, as just about anything is possible with technology these days. I've gotten requests to remove 20 lbs from certain areas, and also to add 20 lbs to other select areas, and everything in between. Back in my magazine days, I recall being instructed to be a bit liberal with the digital retouching brush on our models sometimes, and so I technically know how to do it (But, really, is that best for society? That's another conversation). However, with business portraits, it’s important for you to look like yourself so that clients can actually recognize you when they see your portrait.

I often shoot doctors, surgeons, and nurses for a local hospital, and often after the photo session, the hospital puts up billboards around town with the new portrait so that folks can get to know that medical professional. It's important that the face on the billboard matches the face that patients see in person, so that trust can be built.

I tell my clients that they will look like themselves on their best day. My retouching includes light skin smoothing, eye evening and bag removal, stray hair removal, and even a bit of teeth whitening, since most of drink coffee or tea. I also do braces removal and teeth straightening upon request. And if you have any temporary skin conditions, like acne, or a rash, or excessively flushed skin because you're nervous for the session that day, I can clean that up too. Personally, I get it. Years ago, I woke up on the morning of my own wedding with a giant zit on my chin. Go figure! I didn't sweat it, though. Being a control freak, I knew that I would be grabbing the digital files from the photographer and retouching my own photos afterwards anyway. The zit was essentially erased from the day. It was a lovely feeling.

How you feel about yourself directly affects your portrait session in the moment. In the past, I've had multiple clients who were really self-conscious about her teeth, to the point where they were struggling to even relax or smile during their portrait sessions. When they eventually communicated to me specifically why they were struggling, I was able to reassure them that I could take care of it in retouching. After that, they were able to relax and show off their beautiful smiles and natural expressions, knowing that I had them covered. Them being able to relax made a night and day difference in their portraits. It’s all about making you feel comfortable and confident.

Can I Request Retouching Adjustments After the Session?

This one comes up less often than the previous questions, but it’s worth mentioning. After a photo session is complete and I've already delivered the final, retouched photos, a client will ask for additional changes that they forgot to mention. Sometimes it's something I didn't notice during the session (because again, I believe everyone is beautiful). Sometimes it's a little thing that only they notice, but it bugs them. While no one else would ever notice it, my client would always see it. And my answer is always: Absolutely! I'm happy to make additional retouching changes after the session. If you notice something that’s bothering you after you’ve received your photos, just shoot me an email. I’m happy to make reasonable revisions to ensure you’re thrilled with the final product.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it! Those are the three most common questions I get from clients. The first two are definitely the most frequent, but I wanted to include the third one to help you feel more at ease. Whether you’re working with me or another photographer, it’s always good to ask these questions upfront. I hope this little chat was helpful for you! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you make your business portrait session as awesome as possible!