Your Portrait Session Beauty Guide
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Make appointments. When booking your salon and spa appointments, be sure to follow the timeline suggested. Many treatments are time-sensitive. (Example: waxing your brows shouldn’t be booked too close to your session date to avoid redness.)
Set your intentions. Journal about the woman you want to meet in your portraits. This will set the tone for your session to help ensure you’ll love your images. It may even change the kind of clothes you end up shopping for.
Drink more water. We all know water is important, yet we still forget to drink enough. Start now.
Refresh your skincare regimen. Wash your face morning and night, exfoliate (face and body) every other day, moisturize your full body every day, and wear lip balm constantly.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE
Finish shopping. Finalize your portrait session wardrobe. Place any online orders and make special dress rental reservations right away. Make sure you have everything you need to complete each outfit, including underpinnings and accessories.
Start stretching. Try to stretch for 20 minutes each day before your session. Especially your neck, back and hips.
Avoid the sun. Sunburns and tan lines are portrait ruiners. Use sunscreen and satay in the shade.
Visit the dentist. Get a regular cleaning and whiten your teeth.
Don’t pick (or bite). Especially your skin, lips, and nails.
ONE WEEK BEFORE
Gather and organize outfits. Complete the Wardrobe Prep Checklist that I provided.
Final wardrobe consultation. Meet me (face-to-face or Zoom) to try on and finalize your wardrobe and make styling plans.
Wax eyebrows and upper lip. Get your brows waxed or threaded by a pro. Try to stay close to your natural shape, and don’t go too thin. Have your upper lip waxed as well.
Avoid fake tanning. If you usually spray tan or use fake tanning lotion, take a hiatus until after your session.
3-5 DAYS BEFORE
Refresh your hair color. If you dye your hair, touching up your regrowth three days before your portrait session is ideal. Keep in mind this is not the time for drastic changes.
Get a trim. Neat, healthy hair is youthful and vibrant. If it’s been a while since your last haircut, go for a studio trim.
Deep condition. Your salon can do a conditioning or gloss treatment, or use your favorite deep conditioner at home.
Buy groceries. Plan a nurturing dinner for the evening before your portrait session, as well as a healthy breakfast on the dat of the session.
THE DAY BEFORE
Have a manicure. Soft, neutral colors work best. While you’re at it, toss in the pedicure (go for any color you like on toes).
Clean your wedding ring. For a fast and easy DIY option, try using a toothbrush & toothpaste to clean your ring.
Shave. Touch up your body hair situation; remember underarms, and legs; and possibly forearms, bikini, and upper lip.
Tweeze Eyebrows. Double check for any strays
Get a blow out. The evening before (or, ideally, the morning of) your portrait session, blow dry your hair to smooth, voluminous perfection. Tell your stylist to use minimal product, avoid using hot tools (such as curling or straightening irons), and skip hairspray.
Pull your hair up to sleep. If a morning blowout isn’t an option, preserve your style by pilling your hair into a high, loose, topknot.
THE DAY OF YOUR PHOTO SESSION
Your focus this morning should be caring for yourself. Breathe. Remember, you are beautiful, and I will capture that for yoy.
Beauty Sleep. Be sure to get eight hours.
Breakfast. Think protein and complex carbs.
Bare face. Wash and apply your usual moisturizer.
Moisturized Body. Apply some serious lotion or oil.
Clean, dry hair. Go for a professional blow out.
Arrive on time. Plan to get to the studio at 10:00 am.