Ally Frank Photography Session Prep Guide
Yay!! Thank you SO MUCH for booking with me. Now comes the fun anticipation and prep... maybe you’re a veteran model, maybe you’ve never seen a professional camera before. Either way, my goal is to make this experience as stress-free, comfortable, and easy-breezy as possible. One of the most important things to remember is that photography is not meant to capture perfection, it is meant to capture people, personalities, moments, and memories, and the most “perfect” photos are the ones where everyone is genuinely happy, confident, and comfortable.
You may have some questions as you begin to prep for your session. See the following guide as a comprehensive answer to my most frequently asked questions, such as “what do I wear?” or “what should I bring?”. Having done this professionally for a few years, I’ve got it down-pat! Steal my expertise. In the case that your question hasn’t been answered here, please feel free to reach out and ask at any point. See you soon!
will you pose me?
ABSOLUTELY!! Most of my job on-site at shoots is direction, posing, and prompting you. Pressing the button to take the photo isn’t the only thing I’m there for! I prefer to use the term “prompting” over “posing”, since the best photos come from open-ended, movement-inspiring prompts, not me moving you around like a wax figure. Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely a time and a place for posed photos, and you will definitely experience that with me as well, but nothing beats a nice, candid moment.
Some of the prompts I *may* use during your session include:
“Whisper something that’ll make them laugh in their ear”
“Walk and swing your arms much more than you think you should”
“Stumble around and look anywhere but my lens”
“Run up and give them a bear hug from behind”
“Go find mommy/daddy a pretty flower”
“Dance to the music”
Look and laugh at the person who takes the longest to get ready”
That being said, if you want to look up inspiration on Pinterest or Google, absolutely feel free to send me some inspiration photos! I will gladly include any poses you find into my instruction during the session.
what should i wear?
Great question! Picking your outfit(s) can be super difficult. The most important factor is that you love what you’re in, you feel good, and you aren’t restricted in movement. This goes for kids, too! Don’t force them into something they’ll cry over the entire session-- sacrifice the “perfect” outfit because a second choice outfit with a smile is better than your “better” outfit with tears!
Consider the following:
⊹ Your session type. See below for what I recommend per session type!
⊹ The weather and location
⊹ Any outfit changes
⊹ Jackets/blazers to add on top
⊹ Coordinating colors among people
⊹ Avoid blending in with the background
⊹ What do you feel best in?!
THE CLIFF NOTES:
⊹ Solid neutrals (with or without an accent color) with textures over prints
⊹ Wear what feels true to you!
⊹ Consider the weather, session type, and location (don’t blend in!!)
⊹ Coordination over matching!!
⊹ Avoid logos/brands
⊹ Wearing fancy (painful) shoes? Bring slides to walk from place to place!
Here’s a check-list! These are things I’ve found helpful to have in the past... they may or may not apply to you and your shoot. This is just a general list-- it may not include things specific to YOU and your session.
☐ Outfit changes
☐ Slides (if your main shoes are painful!)
☐ A hairbrush
☐ Hairspray/extra pins (if your hair needs)
☐ Water
☐ Sunscreen + bug spray (especially in forest preserves!!)
☐ Snacks (bribes!) for kids
☐ Toys for kids
☐ (Graduation) ALL graduation regalia (cap, gown, TASSEL, stoles, cords, diploma case)
☐ (Graduation) Items of interest
☐ (Graduation) champagne for champagne pops
☐ (Maternity) Ultrasound strips
☐ (Maternity) Name/gender announcement items
☐ A bag/purse (I will make you empty your pockets!)
☐ Makeup for touch-ups
Pro-tip! Are you wearing a necklace with a charm? Put a bit of eyelash glue or double stick tape on the back of the charm/pendant and stick it centered on your chest!
Take off any watches, wristbands, hair ties, or other jewelry/accessories you don’t want in the photos
Open your graduation regalia at least a week prior to your session to get those shipping wrinkles out!
Empty all of your pockets! I will remind you of this day of, multiple times!
Do you wear transition lenses? These DO NOT photograph well outside. Consider wearing contacts or other glasses for your session, or going without! If going without is foreign and not true to you, I can do my best to edit out the transition but cannot guarantee best results.
Have a question I didn't answer?
OR: I am available via text, email, DM, or phone call (though you may need to leave me a message for me to call back). I try my best to respond to all communication within 12 hours of receipt.
allyfrankphotography@gmail.com