Xtraordinary Women Magazine September 2014 | Page 23

15 Guidelines for a Successful and Stress-free

PROFESSIONAL PORTRAIT SHOOT
1. Make sure you eat properly and get enough rest the night before.
2.

Drink enough water to avoid your skin looking dehydrated on the image.

3.

Choose an outfit that will convey the message you want to portray – professionalism, authority, selfconfidence and integrity

4.

Unless you are employed in a creative field, stick to classic, clean lines like a tailored blouse or jacket for
women and a suit jacket or dress shirt for men. Remember, the images on social media are small. You want
your face to attract the attention, not your outfit.

5.

Avoid revealing and tight fitting, body-hugging tops. A well-cut and styles blouse that emphasises the body
outline but does not cling to the body is ideal.

6.

Avoid overly frilly outfits. But also be careful not to select colours and outfits that might make you look too
sombre and severe. A little bit of frill or lace or trim adds softness and works very well for a professional portrait.
You want to show affability and accessibility as well.

7.

Long or three-quarters sleeves are more flattering than short sleeved blouses or shirts. Besides not being
appropriate in a professional setting, spaghetti straps, halter necks and complicated designs may cause
unflattering folds and lines in a photograph.

8.

Choose solid colours rather than overly busy patterns and colours. We want the focus to be on your face
and not on your outfit.

9.

Avoid very bright colours such as neon colours as well as orange, red and yellow unless you know that
those are the colours that work best with your skin tone or you can tone it down with a mono-colour jacket.

10.

Avoid white and flesh tones such as tan, pale pink, grey, peach and beige against the skin. These colours
tend to blend in with the standard white backdrop making the model look as if he or she is doing a disappearing
act. Again, if you can frame it with a darker, solid coloured jacket, it can work.

11.

Darker skins should steer away from browns and black against the skin. Combine a black jacket with a
bright coloured blouse or shirt or tie.

12.

Jewellery should not distract the viewer but if selected with care and worn with style, it can enhance your
portrait. Less is more. Necklaces should follow the neckline of your blouse.

13.

Good make-up for a portrait shoot is make-up that draws attention to your face not to the make-up itself.
Just like jewellery, make-up should not be distracting but it definitely enhances your photograph especially
under studio lights.

14.

Consider using the services of a make-up artist. Normal, everyday make-up is not always appropriate
under studio lights and MUAs know exactly how to enhance your strong features without
making you look like you are going to a party.

15.

To complete the picture, arrange a visit to the hair stylist for just before the shoot.

To book a PROFESSIONAL PORTRAIT session with us, call us at 072 3553 264