Having your portrait taken can be an enjoyable and special event, but if you’re not used to being photographed, you might feel a little nervous out about your session. There’s no need to worry, though: when you choose a good professional photographer, it’s our job to make sure you look and feel great in your photos. But, with a little bit of planning, you can help make sure that you get the most out of your session.
Be fed, be relaxed, and BE RESTED. It’s in your best interest to be feeling energetic and in a good mood when you have a session with us. We want you to have fun during your session, and it’s no fun to pose for photos when you’re tired, stressed out, and your stomach’s growling!
Kids are even more sensitive to hunger and tiredness, so it’s even more important for family photos. Even if you’re willing to grin and bear a bit of discomfort, they might not be. If you’re including young children on your shoot, make sure to schedule around naps, and bring a quick snack just in case the shoot runs a bit longer than the kids are expecting.
Pick your perfect outfit. Start thinking about what you want to wear for your shoot before you get there. If you’re doing an individual session, it’s never a bad idea to bring a few different outfits, and shy away from heavy patterns or company logos. If you’re doing a group portrait, consider coordinating the styles or colors of your outfits with each other. If you’re doing a more dressed-up shoot, the right shoes and accessories can complete the look.
But, the most important thing is to wear something you feel good in! Choose clothes that you love, and that fit and flatter you, and you can’t go wrong.
Consider bringing a friend… as long as they’re the right one. We’re always open to having friends and family accompany you on individual portrait shoots. If having your best friend, boyfriend, or parent with you will help relax you and make the session more enjoyable for you, then don’t hesitate to ask them along for your session.
Before you do, though, consider the other side of the issue: is this person going to distract you during the session? Will you feel uncomfortable having your portrait taken while they’re watching? If you think having extra people around will make you nervous, stress you out, or constantly interrupt your session, it’s okay to ask them to step out of the shoot for a while. We have plenty of photobooks for them to flip through while they wait. 
Don’t be shy about what you want! Everyone wants something a little different from their portrait shoot, be it funny, spontaneous, glamorous, or something else entirely. No matter what you’re looking for, if there’s something you specifically want from your portraits, tell your photographer. Different types of shots may require completely different approaches, and if we don’t know what you want, then you may not get it.
Also, don’t be afraid to suggest an idea, even if you think it’s “weird.” If you’re working with a good photographer who’s delivering a personalized experience, chances are they’ll be open to, and even excited about trying something different from the norm. We want you to go home happy at the end of the session, so speak up! We’re ready to listen.
Consider booking a makeup artist! Sometimes, if you’re having trouble getting relaxed, having a makeup artist on-hand can help you feel fabulous, and settle into being comfortable in front of the camera. It can be fun to feel pampered while your hair and makeup is worked on, and you don’t need to worry about looking overdone or costumey, either: quality, professional makeup artists like the ones we work with know exactly how to highlight you and keep you looking fresh, so your natural beauty can shine through.
Don’t worry, just HAVE FUN! Life isn’t perfect, and neither is a portrait shoot, so you are occasionally going to blink or make expressions that aren’t so flattering. BUT, we want you to feel the freedom to experiment, and there’s no need to stress about how the final photos will look! Remember that you’ll be able to choose the shots that you like best, and nobody’s going to see the “bloopers” if you don’t want them to. So, relax, have fun, and get creative… just let your energy come to life on camera, and we’ll capture something wonderful.
Enko Photography – event, portrait, and artistic photographers in Portland, Oregon
