Preparing for Your Business Portrait Mini-Session
You’ve booked your mini session! Now what? Mini-sessions are different from full sessions. Here’s a guide to help you when prepping for your shoot - you can leave the rest up to us.
What to Wear
These days, I’ve seen fewer formal business and more business-casual looks. The outfits you bring (up to 4) should help you look the part while flattering your features and not hiding or eclipsing them.
Clothing Fit The clothes you choose should be comfortable and fit well. Loose-fitting clothes can look bulky and less flattering in photos than they might in person. Uncomfortable clothes can be binding, and that discomfort might just show up on your face.
Color & Pattern Yes, wear colors that you like and that people say look good on you. Solid colors or very simple patterns/textures photograph best. Busy patterns and big logos are distracting and can take away from your photos, as they will become the main focus. However, if you own your own company, YOUR brand logo is a great thing to include on clothing. If you have brand colors, wear them! Your images will be cohesive with your website or marketing materials. In general, color is your friend. It will help you stand out. People often wear black, which can still work. But instead of black, try navy or plum. It will still look slimming without being too severe.
Jewelry Keep it to a minimum. Jewelry shouldn’t scream for attention, upstaging you. I often ask people to remove smartwatches or Fitbits, which can look dated. If you like necklaces, consider bringing different lengths. Shorter necklaces that hit the collarbone are perfect for close-in headshots, while longer ones can work for 3/4 poses. Bring at least one pair of small hoops or studs if you wear earrings.
Outfits to Include: Blouses, casual blazers, dark jeans, dress pants, or structured dresses (though flowy dresses may work for certain brands) are all great options. Consider bringing at least 2 jackets for variety in your look.
Timeline
The Week Leading Up to Your Session
SKIN: Drink plenty of water the entire week leading up to our shoot. This will keep your skin looking great for the camera.
HAIR & NAILS: Schedule an appointment at your favorite salon for a trim or to touchup your hair color. Make sure that your nails are well manicured as they may show up in several shots.
OUTFITS: Try on all outfits you plan to wear to make sure everything looks good and fits well. Remove any tags that can’t be hidden or loose strings.
The Night Before Your Session
Iron your clothes and remove clinging hairs or fluff. Pack clothes and jewelry you plan to bring. I find that simpler is better for clothing and jewelry. This way, YOU are the star!
It’s always helpful to do a light exfoliation on your face, even just with a washcloth. Moisturize face, neck, and lips so that they look great on camera tomorrow.
Limit alcohol to avoid puffy eyes, and please get plenty of sleep. A good night’s sleep will ensure you are refreshed for your photoshoot.
The Day of Your Session
Please have something light to eat before you leave for your session.
Professional business-style makeup service is provided at the studio. Arrive with a clean, moisturized face (no makeup). Let my makeup artist know if you have any skin sensitivities. Hair styling is NOT available for mini-sessions.
Mini-sessions are very fast-paced affairs. Arrive in the first outfit you plan to wear. Come with your hair styled in your preferred way and bring your hairbrush or comb for any touchups you want to make.
We will have time for 2 outfit changes—totalling 3 outfits if you come wearing the first one. (We may be able to do 4 outfits if you’re a quick-change artist 😊.)
Appointment Times and Reschedules
Please arrive on time for your appointment (the time you selected when you paid); if you arrive early, we may still be with another client. In that case, have a seat in the foyer until we’re ready. Late arrival may result in a deduction from your session time.
Makeup will take approx. 30-40 minutes. The photo shoot is an additional 35 minutes (including outfit changes). And there will be 10 minutes for photo selection at your session. In total, expect up to 90 minutes for your entire session.
As this is a one-day event, there are no cancellation refunds. If you need to reschedule, please contact me right away.
Call or text me if you run into any problems at 770-203-1571 or 770-309-0104
For weekly tips on headshots and personal branding, follow my page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mo-lima-photography
