Live A Life That Delights You: Photoshoot 101 – Just Be Your Best Self

I have a friend who is being photographed tomorrow for a big honor she is receiving. I am so proud of her! But, she’s nervous. Really nervous. See, she’s not used to being the center of attention or pampering herself, or heck, being photographed, really. So, she reached out to me for some advice. “Where should she get her hair done? What about makeup?” While I was happy to offer all those recommendations and more, I was even more happy to offer my top tips when it comes to being photographed.

1) Let your vision be known. Take along  your favorite pictures of you at your best, where your hair and makeup was on point. Don’t have one? Look on Pinterest for celebrity inspiration, or even use Facebook pictures, when you’ve seen your friends looking their best. Take them to your hairstylist, makeup artist, and even the photographer, so you can accurately express your vision. By being clear about your vision, you’ll have a little more control in the photoshoot than if you don’t have one.

2) Practice makes perfect. People – even my agent – always say that my selfie game is strong. While it’s not something I really aspired to be good at, I realize that it’s become a mastered skill set for me. Here’s how I mastered it. Take a slew of selfies on the days leading up to the shoot. Try photographing yourself from different angles, in different lighting and in different outfits. Learn your best side, the best angle, the best lighting, and the best colors that work for you.  By the time you get into the studio, you’ll know yourself – and feel comfortable in expressing – what best works for you. As for me? My right side is best. So I either turn my face ever so slightly to the left (so the right side is front and center) or have the photographer shoot me from the right.

3) Be the best version of yourself. More than anything, what you really want to capture in a photo is the best, most comfortable, most beautiful version of yourself. This is not the time to try to be someone else. So, don’t experiment with hair, makeup or clothes that are different than what you usually do. Just find a way to polish what is already shining inside of you, so it shines vibrantly on the outside. You are being photographed because they want to capture what is uniquely YOU. So, be sure to let your true self shine through, so the world can see it.

4) Pamper yourself. On the big day of the photoshoot, be not only gentle with yourself, but pamper yourself. Feed both your body and your soul. Eat a well-balanced breakfast, with a mix of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. If hair and/or makeup isn’t provided, treat yourself to either one or both. Take music along that will help you feel confident during the shoot. Do whatever you need to do to help you feel your best and most beautiful. Still feeling nervous? Have a small glass of champagne or white wine to calm the nerves, or enjoy a cup of chamomile tea.

5) No time for negative self talk. The day of the shoot, make it a point to refrain from criticizing yourself. If that vicious guy known as Insecurity starts to rear his ugly head, replace the negative thought with a positive one. An example? I’ve always struggled with body issues, so if an insecurity comes in, where I think “Ugh. I am chubbier than I’d like to be right now,” I replace it with, “Look at that glowing skin! I’m so grateful that my inner light shines through!” Do not allow ANY negative self talk the day of the shoot. This is a day to feel your most confident, even if you have to fake it. Insecurity and self-doubt have no place at the table when it comes to a photo session.

Wishing you luck, my friend. You know who you are.

xoxo, Dawn

Dawn Do? Drink double the water you usually drink in the days prior to the shoot. Also, years ago, I heard that corn really makes skin glow. So, I recommend having a big bowl of steamed corn the night before a shoot, to get that skin glowing.