✨ Photoshoot Checklist & Preparation Guide — Your Guide to a Perfect Shoot

A calm, confident client makes for a relaxed session and better photos. These straightforward, practical tips will help every client — families with kids, couples, expectant parents, and anyone booking a portrait — arrive prepared, comfortable, and camera-ready.

I. Quick Checklist (Day-of Logistics)

• Time, Place, Contact: Confirm meeting point, exact start time, parking instructions, and save the photographer's (Lin's &/or Jun's) primary phone number.

• Weather Plan: Review clear alternatives for rain, strong wind, or extreme heat.

• What to Bring: Snacks, water, lint roller, hairbrush, safety pins, stain remover wipes, and a small first-aid kit.

• Outfit Plan: 1–2 outfit changes if desired/allowed; pack a plain safety outfit for last-minute fixes.

• Pets: Leash, treats, towel, and someone designated to handle the pet when they are not being photographed (a "pet wrangler").

• Buffer Time: Arrive 10–15 minutes early for touch-ups, changing, and settling in.

• Phone Silence: Please silence or leave your mobile phones away from the immediate shooting area.

• Home Prep (if applicable): For in-home sessions, kindly clear clutter from the key rooms/areas you wish to use.

II. Wardrobe Tips that Work Across Sessions

• Avoid bold logos and busy patterns: They distract from faces and date images.

• Use textures and layers: Knit, denim, linen, lace, and suede add depth without clutter.

• Choose flattering colours: Pick tones that suit skin undertones; deep jewel tones photograph well.

• Coordinate groups: Select a base colour, an accent, and a neutral, then vary tones across outfits (Avoid matching exactly).

• Avoid identical whites: Off-white, cream, or soft pastels photograph more evenly.

A Note on Comfort and Authenticity:

Having said that, please feel free to wear whatever makes you comfortable. This is the most important thing. Just like what I am always trying to achieve, I want to make my clients comfortable in front of the lens. When you feel good, you look good, and that translates into beautiful, authentic images.

III. Session-Specific Guidance

Family Sessions — Parents and Kids

• Manage Energy: Schedule when kids are usually happiest; avoid sessions right after naps or big outings.

• Bring Snacks and Drinks: Small, non-messy snacks and familiar drinks to restore moods quickly.

• Comfort Items: A favourite toy or blanket is fine, but please ensure it is small, quiet, and doesn't feature bright primary colours if possible.

• Short Bursts: We will use playful prompts and brief poses; we will build natural breaks into the session.

• Fur Friends: Bring extra treats, a towel, and a leash; a short walk before the shoot helps burn nervous energy.

Elopement Sessions — Intimate, Prepared, and Practical

• Plan Logistics Thoroughly: Confirm permits, ceremony time, travel routes, parking, and any access restrictions for your location.

• Light, Packable Wardrobe: Choose outfits that photograph well and that you can move in; include comfortable shoes for walking or uneven terrain.

• Emergency Kit: Compact supplies—snacks, water, stain wipes, safety pins, blister plasters, and a small sewing kit.

• Vendors and Witnesses: Coordinate arrival times with your officiant, any witnesses, and a helper.

• Comfort and Timing: Schedule a short break to change, warm up, or touch-up hair and makeup.

Engagement Sessions — Connection and Storytelling

• Wear What Feels Like You: Elevate your everyday style without forcing trends.

• Coordinate Not Match: Pick 2–3 complementary colours and vary textures.

• Bring Options: Pack casual plus dressy options to create variety in your final gallery.

• Personal Props: A picnic blanket, a meaningful book, or a favourite bicycle for storytelling.

• Move Together: Walking, dancing, or whisper prompts create relaxed interaction.

Maternity Sessions — Flattering and Comfortable

• Form or Flow: Fitted clothes to show the bump or flowing fabrics for beautiful silhouette shots.

• Comfort First: Supportive shoes and a robe for modesty between changes.

• Hydrate and Moisturise: Drink extra water and moisturise your skin in the days before the shoot.

• Frame the Bump: Hands, belts, or partner shirts work well.

• Timing: Ideal between 28–34 weeks for comfort and a rounded bump.

General Portrait Sessions — Headshots and Solo Portraits

• Grooming: Neat hair, trimmed nails, and light face powder to reduce shine. Men: a recent trim rather than last-minute radical changes.

• Makeup Caution: Avoid using makeup that contains SPF or mineral sunscreen, as these ingredients can cause a white 'flashback' or ghosting in photos.

• Fit and Posture: Wear well-fitting clothes that flatter your shape; practice relaxed postures in a mirror.

• Expression Practice: Recall a small real memory that softens your face rather than forcing a smile.

• Accessories: Limit to one or two pieces that enhance, not overpower, the face.

• Manicure/Pedicure: Hands show prominently in portraits; a fresh, neutral, or clear manicure is recommended.

IV. Post-Session Expectations (Editing & Delivery)

• Turnaround Time: Your beautifully edited, high-resolution image gallery will be delivered within 48 hours after the photoshoot concludes. For photoshoots exceeding 3 hours, please allow extra time. We pride ourselves on our rapid delivery of finished images.

• The Editing Process: We always deliver a selection of carefully chosen and beautifully edited images. However, we are happy to provide revisions to our editing based on your feedback. Furthermore, while we typically focus on delivering the finished product, we can provide raw or unedited photos if specifically required for your project.