1. Communicate the date, time and location multiple times if need be. If you’re the client, ask for a pinned location. If you’re the photographer, send one.
2. Go over outfits and guidelines for superior comfort. If you’re the photographer, create a what to wear guide! I have one for my clients and find it extremely helpful to aid in their style + comfort.
3. If it’s an event or wedding, go over the timeline together or via FaceTime/Skype to be sure of no overlapping or confusion of when things need to be happening.
4. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting out of your session. You want your money’s worth. Make sure you’re getting it! Photographers, be so clear in what you’re delivering that your clients show up confident with no miscommunication of what they’re getting/not getting.
5. Gas up the night before if you’re going to be traveling for your session. Photographer or client, you don’t want to end up running late and have to get gas on top of it. That just leads to less time to shoot and more crankiness in the time you do have.
6. Let your photographer know of ANYTHING you do not want focused on during the session. If you’re working with the right photographer, they should have tips + tricks in their pocket to position you in all the right ways.
7. If you’re getting hair + makeup done, be sure they are also running on the same timeline as everyone else. These things take precious time, as they should.
8. Talk over the details with whoever else is going to be involved. Make sure EVERYONE is on the same page. I know women like to take control and plan everything majority of the time. However, it is so important your S/O knows it all, too. You don’t want to show up to a location and it be somewhere either of you aren’t a fan of.
9. Get an adequate amount of sleep the night before, eat something beforehand and give yourself time the day of to get fully ready. I cannot stress this one enough. Sleep, food and time are the MVP’s in our everyday life. Why should they be left out on a special occasion? I often tell my clients to go on a little pre-session date to get them feeling right.
10.If you think of ANY questions or concerns, send them to your photographer right away. Never wait until the last minute to ask imperative questions. Remember, these are memories for a lifetime.
