Session Preparation: Don't forget the details!

You are welcome and encouraged to bring items from home to personalize your session. If you will be including small children in your session, feel free to bring them some books, toys or other items to help keep their attention.

Seniors, bring items that highlight your interests. If you play a sport, bring a ball or other equipment. If you play a musical instrument, bring that (if it's portable, like a guitar). If you love to read, bring some of your favorite books.

Ladies, regarding makeup for your photo session, you will need to apply everything a little heavier than you would for your normal routine. If you look in the mirror and think, "my makeup looks very nice," then you probably don't have on enough. You might have noticed in the past that there were times that even though you had applied makeup, you looked like you didn't have any on in your photos. The main thing that will show up in your photos is contrast, so you want to try to add that where possible.

Here are some general tips:
* Smooth, even skin will look the best. Go for a matte finish. Use foundation primer, if you have it, and be sure to bring a powder compact and/or oil absorbing sheets (if you have oily skin) to take care of any shiny spots during your session.

* Use a light colored concealer to cover under-eye circles.

* Be sure to blend your foundation at the jawline!

* Black (or very dark brown) eye liner and black mascara are great to enhance your eyes. Use an eyelash curler before applying mascara, if you have one.

* Clear eyes look the best, use Visine or another eye drop to reduce bloodshot eyes, if necessary (this goes for the men, too).

* Almost every woman/girl that I have photographed would have looked better with just a little more blush. It's a good idea to bring your blush and an application brush with you so that we can apply more if I notice that you look a little "washed out" in your photos.

* Neutral lips are very classic, just be sure you have enough color that your lips don't blend in with the surrounding skin. Bring whatever color you wear with you for touch-ups.

* Avoid any glittery or super shiny makeup.

* If you have long hair, it's a good idea to bring whatever bands and clips that you would need to put it up attractively in case of wind. Hopefully, you won't need these items, but it's better to have them on hand than be fighting with hair blowing across your face during the entire session.

* Be sure to wipe faces, eyes and noses of little ones.

* Men should be freshly shaved (or groomed, if you have facial hair). Don't be afraid to moisturize and tweeze stray eyebrow hairs (or stray hairs anywhere else on the face).

* Finger nails should be clean and trimmed. Ladies, freshen up your polish. If you're planning to go barefoot in some of your photos, don't forget to take care of your toes, too!

* On the day of your session, please avoid, and have children refrain from, eating or drinking anything that will stain your teeth and/or mouth. This includes, but is not limited to red, orange, blue, green, or purple candy, popsicles, drinks, etc.

What to Wear for Spring Sessions - Clover, SC Family Photography

The days are getting longer and the temperature is rising! That must mean it's time to start thinking about scheduling a Spring photo session!

If you're looking for clothing ideas for you and your family, here are some great suggestions from Corina Nielsen Designs & Photography's March What to Wear guide.

Session Preparation: What to Wear, Family Edition

Your family session is booked, now what? It's time to find fabulous outfits for you and your family that will make you look and feel your best!

Here are 10 tips and some inspiration that I've put together to help you figure out what to wear for your upcoming family photo session.

1) Ladies, pick your outfit first! If you are the type of person who can walk into any store and immediately find something in your size that you love, then you can safely ignore this tip. But if you're like me and often struggle to find something that you think you look great in, then you should definitely start by choosing an outfit for yourself. This way you are not limited by the selections you've already made for the rest of your family.

2) Go for coordinating, instead of perfectly matching, outfits. Look for pieces that work together instead of trying to find the exact same color shirt for each member of your family. Check out these examples on my "What to Wear" inspiration board.



3) Put away those white shirts! Bringing in some color will make your photos stand out! Remember the color wheel? Check out this page for help with selecting harmonious colors. Think about using complimentary (opposites on the color wheel) or analogous (side by side on the color wheel) colors for your clothes and accessories.



4) Think about where you want to use and display your photos. If you have your heart set on using your photos in a red and white Christmas card template or are planning to hang a photo on the blue wall in your living room, then pick colors that will work well in those settings.


5) Avoid busy patterns and pieces with branding or words. Your son probably loves his "Thomas the Train" shirt, but how will it look hanging on the wall in your home for years to come?

6) Go for classic looks that will stand the test of time to keep your photos from looking dated.



7) Don't forget to accessorize! This is a great time to break out your funky jewelry or a gorgeous scarf. The details matter and those items can really be the glue that pulls an outfit together.



8) Clean up fingernails and freshen up your polish - take this opportunity to indulge in that mani/pedi you've been waiting for an excuse to have! Be sure to think of your nail color as an extension of your wardrobe and pick colors that work with your clothing. While the men in your family might not be picking out polish colors, they should also take the time to make sure their nails are clean and trimmed. If you're planning to go barefoot in some of your photos, don't forget to take care of your toes, too!



9) Layers are a great way to add style to your photos! Especially as the weather gets cooler, adding layers of color and different textures can be both practical and fun.

10) Above all, the best accessory you can have is confidence! Whatever styles and colors you pick, feeling like you look your best is what will make your photos phenomenal. Take the time to indulge a little and make this a special experience, and I can guarantee that you'll be happier with the end result.