What To Pack For A Photoshoot: Quick Guide
Each person is going to be different when it comes what to bring to your photoshoot. The guiding principle is “less is more” as this allows you to be unencumbered and to focus on the session itself. Here are some things to think about as you prepare for you photo session when it comes to packing your bag for it.
ESSENTIALS
Keys, wallet, phone.
Keys, wallet, phone.
Say it every time you leave the house.
(You can add transit card here too. )
TOILETRIES AND MAKEUP
Of course, take any toiletries or hygiene products you carry with you daily already. Makeup, however, should be limited to a few items, trying to only have one product covering the base categories: skin/foundation, eyes, and lips. Have makeup as prepared ahead of time as possible, so only brief touching up will be needed during the session.
CLOTHING
Dressing ahead of time in the right amount of layers will allow for shooting down and facilitate not having to carry additional clothing. If you plan on shooting more than one outfit, have the clothing organized and packed to avoid wrinkling. If you have clothing that needs care, think to bring items that will help with this.
ACCESSORIES
Jewelry and accessories can offer variety and a greater range of options and allow for greater color depths in your image. Do try to limit them to a few pieces and have somewhere to pack them when not shooting with them.
USEFUL PROPS
If you have a particular item you would like to be photographed with, take care to have the details of its management worked out for a display at its best. Sometimes, this might include asking a friend to assist during the shooting.
OTHER OBJECTS
I understand that people have certain objects they would like to be photographed with or wearing, this is more food for thought. Think if you would like to have these images for yourself or other people, either is fine. For other people, remember that the reference you have to the object may be different from their perceptions, so think on how you are going to relate this (captioning is fine). If just for you, practice with the object ahead of time to determine the best poses and framings you would like to achieve.
WATER (& BEVERAGES)
I can not stress enough that you should bring some water with you during a photo session. Staying hydrated even a bit is important. Other beverages, however, should be avoided. Coffee and soda can discolor teeth. Alcohol is well, alcohol, and even the red wine here can leave stains.
Bring a small, folded plastic shopping bag to keep in your bag too. This allows us to stash the bag on most surfaces and keep your items dry and safe while shooting.
A remember that if you are having a hard time carrying it, leave it at home. Best not to have your shopping and work materials to have to worry about.
Shooting in Paris: The Best Opportunities
Choosing to shoot in Paris will not only give you the most beautiful city in the world as your backdrop, but also offer some of the best opportunities to create dynamic, unique and outstanding images of yourself. The city offers everything from classical settings teaming you and its major monuments, allowing for perfect vacation photos, but also lesser-known spots to give you more neutral photos focusing on you without refernce, great for those looking to update social or work profiles.
MOST POPULAR
Let’s first get into the big names of the city. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, The Marais, Montmarte…the list is endless. Here’s “15 Paris Photoshoot Locations” with some of the most popular places in the city for photography and some great tips to think about. Shooting at popular locations can actually offer great one-of-a-kind and creative photos where the model, photographer and location work together to build an effective three-point photo. Let’s do it!
OTHER LOCATIONS AND NEUTRAL BACKGROUNDS
There is countless amounts of content which locations to visit, but sometimes you are looking for more direct photography of you or your party. Paris really can offer additional backdrops for your images, allowing for a wider range of photography looks. Surface textures, from ancient to modern, as well as a variety of streams of light across its roads and through its gardens make for outstanding images, especially for those looking for perfect profile imagery or model book photography. Watch “Paris Balcony Photoshoot” and “Street Photography In Paris With Model” by Jessica Kobeissi where she takes you through some what else is available throughout the city and “Shooting Tess In Paris” by Peter Coulson with an Parisian interior shoot.
Still not sure where you want to shoot? Take a walking tour and do some scouting. Not in the city? Check out these 4 walking tour videos from spring, summer, fall and winter (in that order), throughout Paris and maybe you’ll spot something interesting. I know these streets pretty well between travel, work and day-to-day use and its never a dull moment, never without its architecture, history and vibrance that make it an amazing setting for any type of photo shoot.
ADVANCED
If you want to get scientific, use Photo Ephemeris to pinpoint exact dates, times and locations throughout Paris, based on the sun’s positioning. Don’t forget to check local weather, with weather.com or meteofrance.com to know conditions and cloud cover. But most importantly, save a bit to unpredictability and we can let Paris tell us how to work to take up some excellent opportunities for amazing imagery.
Modeling Poses for Women: A Simple Guide
I’ve put together some videos and tips on posing as a female model. .
Understand Your Body: Before diving into specific poses, it's crucial to understand your body type and features. Identify your strengths and areas you'd like to emphasize or downplay. This self-awareness will guide you in choosing poses that complement your physique. Be modest and honest about yourself and we’ll work together to get the best results.
Understand Your Wardrobe: Give your clothing a review and see what you would or would not like to highlight. Every item of clothing gives a different chance to try new angles and highlight new attributes of the item itself, you and the settings. Dress for the season and clothing you will be most comfortable in, as this will match the tone of the image.
Practice Posing in Front of a Mirror: Familiarize yourself with various poses by practicing in front of a mirror. Experiment with angles, hand placements, and facial expressions. This hands-on approach allows you to refine and can also make things more efficient, allowing for better workflow during the shoot.
Angles Matter: A slight turn of the body can dramatically change the way light falls on your features, creating depth and dimension in your photographs. Practice making angles that highlight your best.
Take a moment and watch any or all of the following videos, as each one can provide some great insight to help you with your posing, leading to better images.
“Essential Female Poses”: Lindsay Adler gives some of her favorite poses for women and tells you what to do to get your best and avoid some common mistakes.
"10 Easy Model Poses”: How can I practice? If you don’t know any poses, or don’t know how you can learn more, try first to learn these ten, whether they are ridiculous or not or you think they are good. Once you can do it without looking at the video, try to add something different to each poses and develop you own routine. Now, add more of your own original poses. Do they highlight you at your best? Do this in front of a mirror and build confidence and muscle memory for future shoots.
“What To Wear In Pictures” & “What NOT to wer for photos” : Wardrobe can dictate how you move more than anything. Best to give it some consideration during your posing practice and visualization.
So give just a bit of thought and visualization and your images will show the confidence, beauty and skills you can bring to let everyone know how good of a female model you can be.
Modeling Poses for Men: A Simple Guide
I’ve put together some videos and tips on posing as a male model. The options are endless, and even if you have little experience, any one of these bits of insight can improve your photos dramatically. Try to use one of these techniques on your next, or first, photoshoot, feel the differences, master the confidence and watch as your images improve.
Understand Your Body: Before diving into specific poses, it's crucial to understand your body type and features. Identify your strengths and areas you'd like to emphasize or downplay. This self-awareness will guide you in choosing poses that complement your physique. Be modest and honest about yourself and we’ll work together to get the best results.
Understand Your Wardrobe: Give your clothing a review and see what you would or would not like to highlight. Every item of clothing gives a different chance to try new angles and highlight new attributes of the item itself, you and the settings. Dress for the season and clothing you will be most comfortable in, as this will match the tone of the image.
Practice Posing in Front of a Mirror: Familiarize yourself with various poses by practicing in front of a mirror. Experiment with angles, hand placements, and facial expressions. This hands-on approach allows you to refine and can also make things more efficient, allowing for better workflow during the shoot.
Angles Matter: A slight turn of the body can dramatically change the way light falls on your features, creating depth and dimension in your photographs. Practice making angles that highlight your best.
Take a moment and watch any or all of the following videos, as each one can provide some great insight to help you with your posing, leading to better images.
“Create a Catalog-Quality Man’s Pose”: Lindsay Adler gives some of her favorite mens’ poses and tells you what to do to get your best and avoid some common mistakes.
"Masculine Posing Tips:" Emily Teague lets you know what you want to be thinking about and some of the ins and outs of just how to use your body. Practice these movements in front of a mirror for best results.
“5 Simple Posing Tips for Men”: Pye Jisra gives a quick breakdown on posing adjustments you can make to get instant results.
“How To Dress Like a Male Model”: Former model Brett Maverick gives some tips on men’s ware. Though not a video I would recommend completely, it does highlight the major ideas to think about: colour, avoiding patterns and logos, and knowing your skin tone can help. Take the quiz to find out your colours.
Just a bit of thought and practice can vastly improve your results, giving you the confidence, skills and movement to show everyone how good of a male model you can be.
Overcast Skies: Advantages of Cloudy Day Photoshoots
Shooting photos in Paris invariably means that you’re going to shoot in overcast conditions. Many models might want to shy away from holding a photo shoot at these times, but in fact it can offer for some unique shooting sessions not so easily available on brightly lit days.
Soft, Diffused Light: The thick cloud cover acts as a natural diffuser, softening and evenly distributing light. This results in a gentle illumination that eliminates harsh shadows and reduces contrast, creating a flattering and even tone for your subjects, particularly beneficial for portrait photography.
Reduced Glare and Highlights: Clouds essentially serve as a giant softbox, reducing the intensity of sunlight. This is advantageous when photographing reflective surfaces, minimizing glare and allowing for the capture of intricate details without the distraction of intense reflections.
Enhanced Colors: Cloudy days bring out the vibrancy in colors, with the diffused light enhancing saturation. Think about this when thinking about your wardrobe.
Extended Shooting Hours: Unlike the constraints of shooting in bright sunlight, cloudy days offer extended hours of optimal lighting conditions. This allows for longer and later shooting times not available on a clear and sunny day.
Moody Atmosphere: The cloud-draped sky often creates a moody and atmospheric setting, adding drama to photographs. This effect is particularly effective for creating emotionally charged or storytelling images, as the diffused light contributes to the overall ambiance.
Comfort for Subjects: The softer and cooler light on cloudy days enhances the comfort of subjects during outdoor sessions. The absence of harsh sunlight reduces squinting, the cooler temperatures make sure you stay cool, and the mild conditions give a relaxed feel during fall and spring shoots.
Texture Emphasis: Cloudy conditions emphasize textures in the clothing, whether it's the intricate details of jewelry and hair or the texture of fabrics. The diffuse lighting highlights these elements, adding depth and interest to the photos.
BONUS: Black and White: The white-washed skies of Paris have been and continue to be captured in beautiful black and white imagery and may offer a different look to your photo shoot images than normal. They can give more drama, soften moments, and highlight the beautiful contrast of the surrounding city.