Ways to be prepared for a Portrait Session

By Dan Quiñones

✅ DO

Plan your outfits intentionally.
Choose clothing that fits well, aligns with your personality, and avoids overly busy patterns. Neutral, earthy tones photograph especially well.

Opt for professional grooming.
A fresh haircut, styled hair, clean nails, and intentional makeup (if you wear it) go a long way. Matte makeup works better than shiny products under studio lighting.

Get plenty of rest the night before.
Good sleep shows in your skin, eyes, and overall energy.

Arrive early and relaxed.
Give yourself time to unwind before shooting. Rushing leads to tension, especially in the face and shoulders.

Communicate your goals.
Tell me what the photos are for—website, brand, personal, creative, etc. Reference images are welcome!

Bring essentials.
Lint roller, hairbrush, water, lip balm, and any necessary touch-up items.

Trust the posing process.
I’ll guide you with prompts, micro-adjustments, and natural expressions so you never have to figure it out alone.

❌ DON’T

Don’t wear clothing with large logos or distracting graphics.
They steal focus and date the images.

Don’t over-accessorize.
Keep jewelry and props minimal unless they’re purposeful for your brand.

Don’t try new skincare or hair products right before the shoot.
Reactions, redness, or shine can occur unexpectedly.

Don’t arrive hungry or dehydrated.
Low energy shows in your posture and facial expression.

Don’t get sunburned or do spray tans within 48–72 hours of the shoot.
Uneven tones and bright undertones become hard to fix.

Don’t stress about posing or angles.
That’s my job—I’ll coach you through all of it.