Styling For Photoshoots

Styling is an important element for the look of my images. It’s preferable to hire a Stylist for the shoot but sometime this is not necessary or  an affordable option. Given that premise, I want to provide some instruction for styling the shoot if you feel you are capable of doing these looks. Be sure to give your self some time to practice these looks well in advance of the shoot date so that you are comfortable with doing them.

Make-Up
This PDF for contemporary glamour make-up by photographer Sue Bryce provides a step by step to creating a universal contemporary glamour make-up look that I like to use for shoots. Examples of the looks you can create from the technique that’s explained in the document are here:

I generally like to start with a light look first and go dark for later looks, time permitting.

If you want a great walk through of Sue’s styling for contemporary glamour download this movie:

If you would like to try something different, there are great tutorials on YouTube.  Here are a couple of examples:

Deep Purple Smokey Eye

Burlesque Make-Up

Hair Styling

If you are good with styling your hair then that gives us more options for different looks. You know your hair best and how it behaves so please let me know what challenges we are up against when dealing with your hair.

If you can get curls to hold in your hair that would be great. Big loose and voluminous curls can provide the base for doing lots of great looks with the hair. Unfortunately getting them can be time consuming so we want to avoid having to set them at the shoot. I’d prefer to have you arrive with curls pinned up or in rollers until we are ready to shoot so that we can save time and they remain fresh before shooting.  Here are some more YouTube video for certain techniques:

Big Loose Curls

big voluminous curls

If hair is more challenging for you or getting a particular style then we need to have a strategy for managing your hair looks. It could be as simple as putting the hair up into a simple updo, doing pony tails or using accessories (like hair pins, flowers or necklaces), head bands, hats or scarves to achieve the different looks.

Wardrobe

I have lots of clothes, shoes and accessories. I’ve asked for your sizes in the questionnaire that I sent to you so I can determine some looks based on my wardrobe.

The following listed items are standard items that I like you to bring with you along with attached a list of items that Model’s have in their Modeling Bag for a check list reference.  I do not expect that you will have all of these for our shoot.  You do not have to bring all of these items (especially if they do not travel well for you) but aim for 5-7 outfits:

  •  White button up shirt
  • nice solid color blouse (button up or slip on)
  • Belt/Suspenders
  • Lingerie sets (bra and pantie sets not teddies)
  • Garter belt/Waspies
  • High heeled shoes (prefer solid color) and at least one black pair
    • Open toe
    • Close toe
    • Boots (skinny heel)
  • Various accessories, especially necklaces, bracelets and ear rings
  • Black opaque full length stockings
  • Body Stockings/Hosiery/Thigh high stockings (fishnets and solids)
  • Hats or head pieces (e.g. cloche, pillbox w/netting w/clip)

Also, if there are items you specifically want to bring with you for me to shoot for you, please bring the along.

If you feel like doing some online shopping for the shoot:

I hope this gives some guidance for you. Please let me know if you need more explanation regrading the styling of the shoot.

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