Getting ready for a photoshoot? In my ten years of experience as a model and makeup artist, I have gained a lot of insider knowledge from the models and photographers I have worked with on how to prepare for a photoshoot.
Whether you are a professional model or planning on your first-ever shooting, getting ready for a photoshoot might be quite stressful, especially when you don’t know what to do. So here I would like to share some valuable tips with you that I use before every shoot. These tips have never failed me and have helped me to feel my best during the photoshoot, resulting in stunning photos. If you want to enhance your photoshoot experience, these tried-and-tested tips from my journey might just do the trick.
The Golden Rule of a Triumphant Photoshoot
A key ingredient to how to successfully prepare for a photo shoot is ample prep time. The more time you dedicate to preparing for a photoshoot, the less stress you’ll encounter when the cameras start clicking. Don’t forget that models are human too, dealing with the same issues like bloating, puffiness, and chapped lips. But with the right tricks, you can either prevent those problems or help reduce their mark on your big day. In this article, I will highlight practical, budget-friendly solutions that you can incorporate into your pre-shoot week.
The best part is that many of these tips can effortlessly integrate into your everyday routine or preparation for any significant event. I can vouch for each of these tips— as they’ve always worked for me, my clients, and the models I’ve collaborated with. So, give these recommendations a try, and please share your own experience and tips in the comments below for other girls out there. Let’s make your next shoot your most fabulous one yet!
7 Days Before the Photoshoot Checklist
1. Lip Care: Maintaining soft and healthy lips is essential for anyone who wants to look good in pictures. Dry and chapped lips can be a photographer’s nightmare because they can be easily seen in photographs and are problematic to retouch. To combat this, don’t wait until the last day and start by applying lip balm regularly throughout the week ahead, keeping it handy wherever you go. You can also use a lip exfoliator the night before for extra softness. If you don’t have a lip balm or exfoliator, check my recommendations.
2. Gym Training: In the week you prepare for the photoshoot, choose cardio training over powerlifting sessions. This is because powerlifting can lead to unintentional muscle bulk. Your muscles can swell and become larger, which might affect the fit of your outfits, making your fitted dress or other clothing feel tight. If you’re striving for an elegant and feminine look, then it’s better to skip the powerlifting training during this week.
3. Outfit Planning: Plan your outfits well and ensure they’re clean and ready to go. Complete your look with accessories and shoes. Try everything on a few days before the shoot to avoid any last-minute surprises. This will also give you time to purchase any missing items, if necessary, or make alterations, ensuring your wardrobe is picture-perfect on the day of the shoot.
3 Days Before the Photoshoot
1. Hair Trials: Experiment with hairstyles to find the perfect look for the shoot. Particularly, if you plan to make a hairstyle by yourself, consider doing a trial run to perfect those beach waves or elegant updos. Additionally, practicing will help you understand how much time you’ll need to recreate it on the day.
2. Coordinate with Your Makeup Artist: When preparing for a photoshoot, specify preferences with your makeup artist ahead of time, especially regarding lip color picks. Discuss the skincare routine before applying makeup to achieve long-lasting results and make sure you also have all essential products at hand for the touch-ups during the photoshoot. Depending on your skin type, it may be necessary to moisturize beforehand or adjust hydration levels accordingly. This proactive step will extend the longevity of your makeup and optimize the results of the process.
1 Day Before the Photoshoot
1. Packing Essentials: Double-check your outfits and ensure you’ve packed everything you’d need, including shoes, appropriate underwear for all outfits, lipstick, belts, glasses, and other accessories. To keep all my stuff organized, I find it helpful to pack everything in a suitcase or an organizer for easy access and navigation. Thoughtful packing can help you avoid any last-minute wardrobe faults that might cause delays or jeopardize your selected look.
2. Bloating Prevention Tip: One of the most crucial yet often overlooked topics is how to prevent bloating, a common issue that can affect anyone regardless of body type or age. Despite waking up with a flat stomach, a simple sip of water or a small meal can quickly lead to discomfort akin to sporting a baby bump. This dilemma is familiar to many, and models are no exception.
While skipping dinner, snacks, and liquids after 5 pm might guarantee a flat stomach the next day, it is overall a challenging feat and not for everyone. Opting for a light salad the night before, thinking it’s the logical choice – low in calories and healthy, can instead backfire and lead to increased bloating. Instead, here’s a tried-and-tested life hack taken straight from the model’s routine. To combat bloating before a photoshoot: consume a small portion of calorie-dense food. Contrary to common belief, this method actually works; it’s all about portion size and selecting ingredients that won’t cause bloating. Whether it’s a bit of cheese or a small portion of omelet with bacon, the emphasis lies on choosing something that leaves you feeling full without discomfort.
Overall, such a mindful approach to eating can save you from unwanted bloating the next day, helping you feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera and enhancing your natural beauty.
On the Big Day
1. Facial De-Puffing: If, for any reason, your face gets puffy, don’t panic! There are a few secrets that work wonders against swelling. First up is mint tea. Yes, you read that right – just a regular cup of mint tea can do the trick. Sip on mint tea to naturally reduce facial puffiness; it’s a simple yet effective technique favored by many models for its quick results. Personally, I rely on this trick not only for photoshoots but also in everyday life. Another recommendation is lymphatic drainage facial and neck exercises and massage. A 5-minute exercise + gentle massage for up to 10 minutes helps move lymph fluids, reducing puffiness.
2. Smooth Legs Tip: Here’s another models’ hidden secret I wish I knew earlier. That is to shave your legs twice for fabulously smooth results! Just do a regular shaving of your legs with shaving gel and repeat the procedure twice. So simple! And voila – your legs look runway-ready! This trick also works for a date night or those summer days when you want to show off smooth, silky legs.
3. Body Swelling: To combat body swelling, try lymphatic drainage exercises. Only 10 minutes of these exercises help to reduce swelling in less than 2 hours. Do this before makeup and hairstyle to preserve your flawless look.
4. Hydrate Wisely: A few hours before the shooting, it is recommended to avoid soda, coke and other fizzy drinks. Also, try to drink only when you feel thirsty to avoid unnecessary bloating on the big day.
5. Brighten Your Eyes: Use eye drops to add a sparkle to your eyes and reduce redness or fatigue. This simple yet effective beauty hack ensures that your eyes look bright, refreshed, and ready to shine in front of the camera, enhancing your overall appearance in every shot.
Whapping Up Notes on Preparing for a Photoshoot
Above all, try not to overthink how to prepare for a photoshoot, and don’t forget to have fun! When you’re enjoying yourself, it radiates through the camera lens, resulting in captivating and authentic portraits. Let go of any self-doubt and embrace the magic of self-expression. It’s time to unleash your inner diva and capture moments that will be cherished forever. Experiment with different sides of your identity and discover what truly resonates with you, whether it’s channeling your glamorous side or tapping into your wild instincts – the possibilities are endless. Wishing you the best of luck with your next shoot, and I hope this article proves useful for you.
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