Your Session Prep & Packing Guide
A little preparation goes a long way toward creating photographs you’ll love using for years to come!
This guide covers the essentials: what to bring, how to prepare, and a few things to avoid before your session.
If you’ve received a personalized Style Strategy from me, that will always be your primary wardrobe guide. The information below will help you take care of the finishing details.
And if you’re unsure about something? Just text me. I’d much rather answer a quick question beforehand than discover a problem on session day.
Clothing & Wardrobe
Your wardrobe plays an important role in how your photographs look and feel. We’ve already put thought into your clothing choices, so now it’s time to make sure everything is ready for the camera.
Fit matters. Suits, blazers, trousers, dresses, and tops should fit properly. Tailoring can make a tremendous difference, especially with structured clothing.
Everything must be clean and pressed. Please steam or iron your clothing before packing. Wrinkles, stains, pet hair, and worn fabrics are much easier to address before your session than in retouching.
Choose fabrics thoughtfully. Quality fabrics that hold their shape generally photograph beautifully. Be mindful of thin, sheer, heavily textured, or clingy materials that may behave unexpectedly under studio lighting.
Color and personality are welcome! Neutrals are wonderful, but so are rich colors, interesting patterns, and expressive pieces when they make sense for your brand. We’ll make these decisions together through your Style Strategy.
Don’t forget the details. Check buttons, zippers, hems, loose threads, and anything else that might need attention.
Please bring your clothing on hangers in a garment bag rather than folded into a suitcase.
Undergarments
The right undergarments make clothing fit and photograph better.
Bring bras, underwear, and any shapewear appropriate for your planned outfits. Smooth, well-fitting options in skin-tone and black shades are particularly useful.
Pay attention to visible seams, straps, and bra lines, especially with fitted or lightweight clothing.
If you need help finding the right foundation garments, I’m happy to make recommendations before your session.
Shoes, Accessories & Props
Even if you’re primarily planning headshots, please bring the shoes that complete each outfit. We may create seated, three-quarter, or full-length photographs.
Accessories can make a wonderful difference. Think jewelry, watches, belts, ties, scarves, eyewear, and other pieces that are part of your personal style.
If you wear glasses regularly, bring them! Additional pairs are welcome if you have different styles.
Have props in mind? Books, laptops, tools of your trade, products, instruments, artwork, and other professional items can be fantastic additions.
Please discuss props with me ahead of time so I can plan the appropriate backgrounds, lighting, and compositions.
Hair & Makeup
If professional hair and makeup is included in your session
Please arrive with:
- Clean, completely dry hair, without heavy styling products
- A clean, makeup-free face
- Your usual skincare completed, including a light moisturizer if needed
Avoid trying new skincare or hair products immediately before your session.
Wear a button-down, zip-up, or wide-neck top that can be removed without disturbing your finished hair and makeup.
If you are preparing your own hair and makeup
Please arrive camera-ready, with your hair and makeup finished before your scheduled session time.
Style your hair as you would like it photographed, and bring any products you might need for quick touch-ups.
Haircuts & Color
Schedule haircuts, trims, root touch-ups, and other routine hair appointments far enough ahead of your session that everything has time to settle.
I recommend avoiding dramatic changes immediately before your photographs unless we’ve specifically planned them.
Please make sure you’re happy with your hair color before arriving. Significant hair-color changes in retouching are not included and may incur additional fees.
Nails & Hands
Your hands may appear in more photographs than you expect, particularly when we’re creating branding images with natural gestures, props, or seated poses.
My first recommendation is always clean, neatly maintained nails in natural or neutral tones.
Bare, well-groomed nails are wonderful. So are subtle nude, blush, beige, sheer pink, and classic French manicures. Natural-looking gel manicures are absolutely fine.
I generally recommend avoiding very bright, neon, heavily decorated, or strongly contrasting nails. They can draw attention away from your face, compete with your wardrobe, and make your photographs feel dated sooner than you’d like.
That said, your profession, personal style, or brand may call for something different!
If you’re considering a stronger color, nail art, or anything outside a neutral manicure, please text me a quick photo before your appointment. We’ll make sure it works with your wardrobe and the photographs we’re planning.
Please also moisturize your hands and tidy up any chipped polish or rough cuticles before your session.
Skin, Tanning & Grooming
Healthy, comfortable skin is the goal. You don’t need to arrive with perfect skin, and you certainly don’t need an elaborate new skincare routine.
In the days leading up to your session:
- Stay consistent with skincare products you already know work for you.
- Keep your face, lips, and hands moisturized.
- Avoid picking at blemishes, cuticles, or dry skin.
- Schedule waxing, threading, and other grooming appointments with enough time for redness or irritation to settle.
- Avoid aggressive exfoliation, peels, or unfamiliar treatments immediately before your session.
A note about tanning
Please avoid sunburns and uneven tanning before your session.
If you use self-tanner or spray tanning, the most important thing is an even, natural-looking result without streaks, patchiness, or obvious differences between your face, hands, and body.
I strongly recommend avoiding last-minute tanning appointments or unfamiliar products.
Modern retouching can help with some skin-tone inconsistencies, but significant sunburn, peeling, streaking, and uneven tanning can still create problems that are difficult or time-consuming to correct.
If you’re planning a spray tan, please check with me beforehand so we can discuss timing and color.
Your Preparation Timeline
A few weeks before
- Complete your Brand Questionnaire and any requested wardrobe planning.
- Review your personalized Style Strategy.
- Order or purchase any wardrobe pieces you still need.
- Arrange tailoring or alterations if necessary.
- Schedule routine hair, nail, and grooming appointments.
- Discuss any unusual props or special requests with me.
7–10 days before
- Finalize your wardrobe and make sure everything fits.
- Take care of routine hair appointments and grooming.
- Check shoes, accessories, and undergarments for every look.
- Avoid experimenting with new skincare or tanning products.
- Let me know if any planned wardrobe pieces have changed.
The week of your session
- Steam or press your clothing.
- Check for stains, pet hair, loose threads, and missing buttons.
- Organize accessories and shoes with their corresponding outfits.
- Pack your clothing on hangers in a garment bag.
- Keep your skin and lips moisturized.
- Get your usual rest, eat normally, and stay hydrated.
The morning of your session
- Shower and complete your normal grooming routine.
- Arrive with clean, dry hair and a makeup-free face if you’re receiving professional hair and makeup.
- Eat breakfast or a meal before arriving.
- Bring your wardrobe, shoes, accessories, and any approved props.
- Plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes early.
Your Packing Checklist
- All planned outfits, clean and pressed, on hangers
- Appropriate bras, underwear, and shapewear if needed
- Shoes for every outfit
- Jewelry, watches, belts, ties, scarves, and accessories
- Eyewear, including additional pairs if desired
- Approved professional props
- A button-down or easy-to-remove top for hair and makeup
- Any personal touch-up or grooming products you may need
- Snacks or preferred drinks, if desired
Water, light snacks, and refrigerator space are available at the studio.
One Last Thing
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re uncertain about a wardrobe choice, manicure, grooming appointment, or anything else.
I put a great deal of care into planning your session, and these details help us make the most of our time together.
Come prepared, and I’ll take care of the photography.
I’m looking forward to creating something fantastic with you!
Jennifer ♥