Bold Portraits. Thoughtful Direction. Timeless Imagery.
Portrait Prep Guide
Thank You For Booking Your Portrait Photo Session With Cody Van Horn!
I'm looking forward to meeting and photographing you! In the meantime, here is your guide to help you prepare for your shoot.
​Prelude
Preparing for a portrait session takes a lot of work and I frequently receive questions from clients about what to wear and bring to their session. As your photographer, it’s important to Cody that you look your best in your photos and that the photos are full of your personality and style.
To make preparing for your portrait session a little less stressful, Cody compiled a list of recommendations below. Keep in mind that the recommendations are simply that, recommendations. It’s your portrait session so feel free to fully incorporate your unique style and flavor. If you are unsure about an outfit or prop you would like to bring and would like some advice, don't hesitate to contact Cody for assistance.
Table Of Contents
Prelude
Interlude
Postlude
Where To Begin
First thing's first, there is one thing that I would like to make very clear: Every single person is nervous to have their photo taken and it's totally normal. It is Cody's job to create a space where you will feel completely safe to be yourself. There is no pressure, no expectations. During the shoot, it will be more relaxed than any other photoshoot experience you might have had. I want to capture you, and my mission is to make you feel safe, comfortable, and free to be your 100% self. You’ll be guided through the entire process and posing. Don't stress over this, I promise it will be a lot of fun! There is really nothing you have to do other than trust me. I guarantee we will get stunning images that you will love!
You are welcome to create a mood board on Pinterest or collect screenshots as a digital album on your mobile device to get an idea of what theme/style of images you desire to capture. Please note that these images will not be replicated, but used as inspiration.
About The Studio
Photography Studio Address:
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TBD...
Cody Michaels Photography studio is a creative space, with an industrial feel that is located in Indiana. The studio offers plenty of lighting equipment, seamless/ hand-painted backdrops, a private dressing room booth, and ample rooms to set up a variety of themes.
What Is Portrait Photography?
Portrait photography aims to capture the identity, personality, and essence of a person utilizing photographic techniques such as composition, lighting, and posing. There are various types of portrait photography that are dependent on the subject of the portrait as well as the style. The goal is to capture a photo that appears both natural and prepared to allow the subject’s personality to show through. A photo becomes a portrait when the subject along with the background, lighting and emotion can evoke a sense of connection between the viewer and the portrait photograph. A candid photo is not considered a portrait, however, the most candid portraits are often the best. A portrait photograph may be important for historic preservation, personal branding or for personal pleasure.
"I don't look like the men/women in your portfolio!"
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Actually, you do! You just haven’t had the chance to see yourself from Cody's perspective yet! Come into the studio and let him show you how beautiful you really are!
Interlude
In this section you will be guided through the types of images you may want from your photo session, what to wear, things to avoid on the days leading up to your shoot, and tips to help you pose like a pro.
Types Of Images
Traditional Portraits
A traditional portrait often has the subject looking straight at the camera in a posed position. These types of portraits are usually shot within a studio with the help of studio lighting and a prepared background. These types of portraits are usually cropped at the head and shoulders and are what often come to mind when people think of portraits. Photographers who take traditional portraits aim to capture the essence of the person they are shooting.
Company / Personal Branding Portraits
Take your brand message, your mission, your colors, and your unique personality, and bring it all together in an epic photo shoot that your clients will love. Personal Branding Photography is exactly what it sounds like, photography for your brand that focuses on your personality. Your personal brand is what sets you apart from the crowd, it’s what makes you unique and interesting. Your personal brand is the experience only you can create for your clients and followers. It is what catches their attention when they are scrolling through Instagram and what makes them stop when they pause in front of your shop. Your images are the first impression you make on your clients, they should be remarkable and convey the message you want your clients to hear when they think of your brand. They should also be on-brand and match the mood and feeling of your business as well as the website and graphic design.
Glamour / Fine Art Portraits
Beauty/glamour portraits often place emphasis on the beauty of the subject — often involving planning in regards to wardrobe and professional makeup. Fine art portraits are often debated on whether or not they are a subgenre of portrait photography. Many fine art portrait photographers are usually inspired by other types of artworks such as paintings. These portraits are usually creative in nature allowing the photographer to explore their creative ideas.
Wardrobe Selection Tips
To make preparing for your portrait session a little less stressful, Cody compiled a list of recommendations below. Keep in mind that the recommendations are simply that, recommendations. It’s your photo session so feel free to fully incorporate your unique style and flavor. If you are unsure about an outfit or prop you would like to bring and would like some advice, don't hesitate to contact Cody for assistance.
Solid Colors Are Better
For portrait sessions, I recommend solid colors because they put more focus on you, the subject. Clothing in medium to dark tones of blue, green, brown, gray or burgundy are pleasing choices when being photographed outdoors. Selfishly, solid clothing also makes it easier for me to edit stray hairs or wrinkles in the fabric. When picking colors, be aware that darker colored clothes will make you appear more slender on camera. If you want to pop out and draw attention, wear a vibrant color for one of your primary pieces: a jacket, shirt, or scarf. For a more detailed breakdown, check out how to pick the best colors for your photos.
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Don't Fear Prints
Most photographers would advise against their clients wearing prints and patterns...not me! Prints and patterns are always an option for my clients. The trick to successfully pulling offprints in a portrait is not to overdo it. It is generally best to avoid patterns, logos and fabrics that will become distractions by drawing attention away from the faces. A portrait should showcase the people and not their favorite clothing brands. If someone in the group chooses to wear a print, I recommend having others wear solid colors that complement the print.
Layers Are Great
We want the outfit to look as pristine as possible. Bring your clothing to the shoot on hangers and using bags over them to help them stay pristine and prevents any annoying detail from finding its way into the photos.
Simplicity Is Best!
Choose timeless clothing instead of clothes that are more “trendy”. A t-shirt with jeans, a dress, slacks, and a jacket; these are all very clean and easy outfits. The more complex your outfit, the more you’ll be fidgeting with it during the session to make sure it looks exactly right. Keep it simple so you can focus on having a good time during your portrait session!
Avoid Logos, Graphics, & Illustrations
Pretty straightforward here, they can be distracting. Also, cameras do weird things with tight patterns and produce a funky pixelation effect. Plus, you may hate that logo/company 20+ years after your session. Don’t ruin a good picture with a bad symbol.
Stick With What You Already Own And Love
Be comfortable, dress like you would every day, and you’ll feel at ease. There’s a significant emphasis on being comfortable and relaxed when doing a photo session; I’m telling you it makes all the difference. There’s no need to buy something just for the photoshoot. You’ve got everything you need in your closet.
Wear Clothes That Give You Confidence
Select clothing that makes you feel unstoppable when you put it on. I know I always feel confident in my blue-checkered button-down shirt so you can bet I wear it whenever I have a big meeting. If you’ve got a pair of jeans, a shirt, or a dress that makes you feel like a rock star, try to make it part of your ensemble. Dressing confidently helps influence your mood during a portrait session. If you feel confident, it’ll show up in your images.
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Structured Pieces & Solids
Look great on camera as well as items with texture and those that are form fitting to show off your figure. Examples could include your favorite blazer or jacket, a cocktail dress with an interesting neckline, or simply just a bodysuit and jeans.
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Have Several Outfits Picked Out
We can go through them together before your session to determine what will photograph best. We will have time for 2-3 outfits.
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Try To Incorporate A Variety Of Pieces Into Your Wardrobe Selections
You should always have multiple outfits ready for your session. Your photographer may notice something that makes one piece better than another or an outfit that’s a better fit for a specific location. Try to do variations in lengths, textures, and colors. I also recommend bringing outfits that are a mix of casual, formal, and in-between. It’s wise to have multiple outfits just in case you spill something or brush up against some dirt or paint. Back-ups are handy.
Bring Clothing On Hangers
Keeping your clothes on hangers will minimize wrinkles and help you sort through the pieces when looking for the next outfit during your session. Plus, it keeps clothes off the ground.
Wear Reasonably Fitted Clothes
Loose, baggy clothing may be the comfiest thing ever, but I’d steer away from it for your photos. Clothing that fits your figure is not only more comfortable to pose, but also looks more flattering.
Get Variety
Pick out several outfits to bring and we can go over them on the day of the shoot where I can guide you towards the pieces that will fit the style that we are working with. We will use one outfit per 15 minutes of shooting time (nude counts as an outfit). That’s four outfits for the default session.
Check For Tags
Clothing tags may be easily missed on shoot day. I am usually very good about catching hanging tags during shooting but if it slips through, there are situations where it cannot be edited out (e.g. complicated back tattoo). Consider removing these from your outfits or securing them to the inside of the piece.
Don't Be Scared Of Color
It's very common for clients to feel that they have to bring all black attire to their shoots, which removes some of the character that colorful pieces can offer. Black outfits are completely acceptable, but don't shy away from color to add a pop of energy and personality into your outfit.
Keep Clothing Updated
If your current wardrobe is out of style, showing signs of wear and tear, or ill-fitting, it may be a good opportunity to treat yourself to some new clothes and invest in items that flatter your figure and make you feel confident. Consider keeping the tags on until after your photo shoot just in case you reconsider your choices after seeing the photos.
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Dress According To Weather
Don’t torture yourself! If it’s cold out, then wear a jacket and maybe even a sweater. If you’re miserable and uncomfortable, then your face will reflect that in the images. It’s hard to smile happily when your socks are soaking wet. At a minimum, bring the appropriate clothing and wear it when you’re not actively getting your picture taken. If it’s super hot out, try to shoot early in the morning or late afternoon/evening.
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Match Your Surroundings
Unless you live for irony and juxtaposition, streetwear does not fit well with the woods. Personally, I love it. If you’re shooting in downtown Indianapolis, then dress it up a bit. And if it manages to snow, then don’t be afraid to layer it up with a jacket, vest, or sweater!
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Match Your Activity
This goes along with the above tips – if we’re trekking to the top of a mountain, you may want to leave the heels or all-white kicks at home. At the same time, if we’re going to a farm or field, don’t be afraid to pull out the jeans and cowboy boots!
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Pressed And Pretty
Make sure your wardrobe selections aren't wrinkled. Keep in mind that if it looks a little wrinkled in person, it will look extremely wrinkled on camera. Wrinkles cast shadows that are very obvious in photos. If necessary, change into your shirt once you arrive at the location for the portrait session. Don’t wear it in the car on the way to your session. This will eliminate those seat belt wrinkles or crumbs and spills from that last-minute Starbucks run!
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Mind Your Underwear
Something to keep in mind is the color and fit of your undergarments. If you’re wearing a white shirt, ladies, don’t wear a hot pink bra underneath it. Double-check your outfits with your selected undergarments of choice to make sure nothing is visible. The safe option is to go with nude-toned garments. Guys, make sure your boxers don’t bunch up underneath your pants. It could look odd or suggestive.
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New/Barely Used Is Best
That new feeling will help you enter an uncomfortable space feeling fresh. Also, you are preserving this look forever in a keepsake that you will look at in 30 years - you want to make sure this experience is tied to the outfit that isn't one that looks beat up. Let the outfit be new and part of the experience.
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Take Items Out Of Your Pockets
Take your phone out of your pocket and put it into a separate bag. Phones create weird bulges in pants pockets and are not flattering at all. Keep the focus on your face!
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Necklines Are Important
Turtlenecks or V-necks are flattering provided neither is exaggerated in style. A V-neck or scoop neck is best if your neck is short and your face is full. A turtleneck or high necked shirt is more flattering if your neck is longer and your face is slender.
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Keep Jewelry Minimal
Remember to keep jewelry simple and avoid wearing a watch to the session. Jewelry can be a big distraction from you, the subject. I typically recommend not wearing any jewelry, but if you do, try to wear pieces that are small and minimalist.
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Test Your Outfits Before Your Session
There’s no point wearing something if you can’t walk in it. Test out the clothes you want to wear for your portraits before the session. Stand, sit, kneel, and walk. Make sure you can do all of that. And check that nothing pops out (bra straps) or that you can see any undergarments.
Clothing Examples For Women
No Spaghetti Straps Or Strapless Tops​
Strapless or tube tops may look flattering in person, but they tend to make your shoulders look wide in photos. Keep this in mind depending on how you feel about your shoulders. Also, avoid wearing spaghetti strap tops because they make hiding bra straps impossible. Sleeveless works great but keep some material up there.
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Bring Hair Ties Or Hair Clips In Case Of Wind For Location Shoots​
There are few things more annoying on a photoshoot than the wind blowing hair all over the place and ruining all the hard work your makeup artist put in. Hair clips, bobby pins, and a hair tie (as a last resort) will make pictures in the wind more manageable and keep you looking put together
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If Wearing Heels, Bring A Set Of Comfy Shoes Too​
If you plan on wearing heels for your images, I suggest changing into them when you get on location. After 45 minutes of standing on your feet, you’ll be grateful for a pair of sneakers, especially if you’re walking between locations. Change back into your comfy shoes until it’s time to shoot again.​
Clothing Examples For Men
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Plain, Heavy Cotton Shirt Or Polo Works Great
I’m a big fan of guys wearing business casual for their portrait sessions. If you’re after a more relaxed look, a plain shirt or a polo will work great. V-Necks are also acceptable. Make sure your shirts are a heavier material to avoid wrinkling and seeing any skin underneath.
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Jeans Or Casual Trousers Look Best​
Jeans are pretty universal and go with almost anything. They’re an excellent base for most outfits. They can look super casual or semi-formal. A casual trouser like beige jeans or even a pair of slacks is perfect if you want to dress up a bit.
Self Care / Portrait Beauty Tips
Men should be clean shaven or facial hair should be carefully groomed: Haircuts for men should be done about one or two weeks before the portrait session. Women should be photographed whenever they are happiest with their hair in relation to the time it is cut and styled. This applies to men and women, i.e. one week after the last visit to their stylist.
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Waxing: If you are planning to wax for your session, please allow 3-5 days for you to heal before the session to avoid any bumpiness or redness.
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Eyebrows: Make sure your eyebrows are nicely shaped and groomed. You want to have your eyebrows waxed or threaded, be sure to schedule the appointment for at least a few days before your boudoir session. Otherwise, an eyebrow trim/touch up at home could be done a day or two before the shoot. Don’t try anything new here, you don’t want a small mistake to be documented and be feeling self-conscious.
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Salon: If you’re planning to visit the salon for a haircut or color, then give yourself a few days to make sure you are happy with it.
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Manicure: You want your nails to look their best. Natural nails are perfectly fine for your photoshoot, just as long as they are well maintained and clean. A manicure can help achieve this, but is not required. If you’d like to get a mani/pedi, it is advised to aim for soft, neutral, or gem tones colors. Be sure to get a salon manicure and pedicure if you want a flawless finish. You can stick with neatly shaped, clear nails. Soft, neutral colors work well for fingertips. Toes can get away with any color. Think about the outfits you’re bringing and be sure to choose a color that will compliment your choices.
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Clean Your Bling: If you're wearing a wedding ring, make sure it looks its best. You'll definitely want to be showing it off in your session.
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No Sunburns: Stay out of the sun for the week prior to your shoot! – while a base tan will be nice in photos, red, blotchy skin will not. Day to day exposure is fine, but avoid long hours in the sunlight to avoid sunburns. Photoshop can do amazing things, but sunburns will have a negative impact on your shooting experience, and will likely be present in your final images. It will be significantly more expensive to have to remove sunburns during retouching. Be sure to wear sunscreen when you know you're going to be in the sun!
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Do NOT Spray Tan: If you want to have a faux glow, please have it done at least one week prior to the shoot at a professional salon and do so in the nude. You want to avoid creating tan lines that can show up when you’re not wearing a lot of clothing. No matter how natural tanning sprays and lotions may seem, they create an orange glow that cannot be retouched after your session.
It is best to wear your usual makeup or even slightly less makeup: Styling your hair and applying makeup at home is the most convenient, but feel free to bring what’s needed for touch-ups. If you wear foundation or powder, do so sparingly or not at all because it is easier to fix irregularities on your skin. If you wear too much powder or foundation, your skin will have a deeply textured look that cannot be fixed without making your skin appear to have an unflattering plastic appearance.
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Shaving: Shaving can be done the night prior to the shoot, avoid shaving several days prior to the session to keep your skin smooth and not irritated. Consider products designed to help minimize razor burn if that is often an issue for you. Shaving the night before the shoot or the day of can help avoid this.
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Hydrate And Moisturize: Drink plenty of water, and maintain a great skincare routine for luminous skin.
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Skip the alcohol: Avoid partying or drinking the day before your shoot, as alcohol depletes the skin of vital nutrients and can have it looking dehydrated and dull, even in small doses. This goes hand in hand with the last bullet point on hydration.
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Tattoos: Don’t get a new tattoo right before your session. If you want to have a new tattoo for your boudoir experience, be sure to get it done well in advance to allow healing time. You don’t want to be sticking to sheets or having any pain during your session. Having to constantly alter poses and outfits to account for this can result in less images from your session and an overall less enjoyable experience.
Company / Personal Branding Portraits
Dress For Your Clients
If you wear suits to your client consultations, then I would not recommend wearing a t-shirt for your brand session. It creates a mental disconnect with your audience, and as we all know, clients work with people they trust. There are moments when you’re not client-facing in your job, and you may want to look relaxed and casual, but try to keep it within reason. Make sure that the pictures people see on your social channels reflect who they see in person. What you wear on Instagram should be what you wear for your portraits.
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Colors Should Pair With Your Brand
That electric pink shirt should probably stay in the closet if your brand is primarily muted blues and soft off-whites. You can dress strategically to pop out from the background, but try to wear a color palette that sticks to your brand.
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Wear Reasonably Fitted Clothes
Wearing proper fitting clothes is the most overlooked and one of the most important steps you can take to look your best in your headshot and in everyday life. Get that suit and those shirts tailored or buy fitted shirts and suits. For both men and women, off-the-rack shirts and jackets that are noticeably way too big or too small for you will not be flattering for your body and will make slim people look slimmer and large people look larger. Overall, improper fitting clothes will result in a sloppy, unprofessional look, and there is not much Cody can do even in retouching to fix this.
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Dress For The Job You Want, Not The Job You Have
Consider the industry you work in and dress appropriately. For example, if you work in a creative field, you may have more flexibility in your attire, while a more traditional business may require a more formal look.
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For more conservative industries like law and finance, the standard suit-and-tie, or female equivalent is recommended. Otherwise, the best rule-of-thumb is to take a look around LinkedIn to see how peers and senior executives in your industry are dressed. Make sure to pay closer attention to people who are successful vs whomever is in your immediate network.
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Professional Outfit Examples For Men
Suit With Tie
Suit Without Tie
Dress Shirt With Tie
Dress Shirt Without Tie
Sport Coat With Dress Shirt
Dress Shirt With Tie Under V-Neck Sweater
Dress Shirt Without Tie Under V-Neck Sweater
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Professional Outfit Examples For Women
Suit Jacket With Button-Up Shirt
Button-Up Shirt Alone
Suit Jacket With Blouse (Silk Shirt, Bow-Tie Blouse, Cowl Neck Blouse)
Cardigan With Blouse
Blouse Alone
Suit Jacket With Professional Dress
Cardigan With Dress
Dress Alone
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Wearing proper fitting clothes is the most overlooked and one of the most important steps you can take to look your best in your headshot and in everyday life. Get that suit and those shirts tailored or buy fitted shirts and suits. For both men and women, off-the-rack shirts and jackets that are noticeably too big or too small for you will not be flattering for your body and will make slim people look slimmer and large people look larger. Overall, improper fitting clothes will result in a sloppy, unprofessional look, and there is not much Cody can do even in retouching to fix this.
Tips To Help You Feel And Pose Like A Pro During Your Portrait Experience
Create A Music Playlist
Music can help you get into the super modeling zone! Cody has a bluetooth speaker to stream your playlist. Throwing on your favorite playlist is a simple yet highly effective way to set your mind and body at ease! You’re in full control of the tunes during your session. Sing, move your body- loosen up and set the mood for a fun-filled session!
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Bring A Soft, Lightweight Robe
This will be perfect for preventing makeup from getting on the garments you will be photographed in. It is also helpful for those "in-between" moments for clients to quickly cover up.​
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Plan Ahead
Nobody wants to arrive to a relaxing photo shoot feeling rushed or late. Try to plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes prior to your scheduled session time. ​
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Trust Your Photographer
This is incredibly important! It’s Cody's job as a Portrait Photographer to make sure you’re feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. Let’s discuss your intentions, your emotions and why this session is important to you. Let’s talk about any insecurities you might have, and how we can work together to set your mind at ease. He will not do anything that is going to make you look bad. As a professional, Cody Michaels has both the experience and proven ability to make you look fantastic with unique posing, strategic lighting, and flattering camera angles. We’ll throw on your favorite music, get loosened up, take a few deep breaths and dive in. During the session we will review a few images as we go to make sure you understand how amazing this photo set will be!
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*Posing Tips*
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Keep Your Back Straight Or Arched As Much As Possible
Straight & Arched backs elongate the body and help emphasize your curves on camera by creating a pleasant and gentle S shape.
Practicing Lip Control Will Make A World Of Difference
Practice full, ¾ , ½ smiles and closed lip smiles- Practice parting your lips slightly in front of a mirror to understand what’s too much and what’s too little.
Give Your Hands & Fingers Something To Do
Experiment with running your fingers through your hair, or running them slowly down and across your body. Hands on your hips- a finger slightly grazing your lips or gripping your clothing/accessories- Can’t think of anything to do with your hands? It’s totally ok! Let them fall gently and completely relaxed- never stiff and rigid.
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Relax---Breathe
Don’t force it! When you find a pose and lock your body in- take a moment to breathe through your diaphragm (the middle of your chest) and relax your muscles and facial expressions until they feel natural and comfortable.
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Never Hesitate To Look Up Images, Watch Tutorials, Or Ask For Help
When you book a session with Cody Michaels- He is all yours for the entire journey. Here to help, coach, inspire- and answer all of your questions. Video platforms like Youtube and Image directories like Pinterest also have some amazing reference material that you can practice on your own schedule in the comfort of your home.
Confidence Booster Tips
Create A Music Playlist
Throwing on your favorite playlist is a simple yet highly effective way to set your mind and body at ease! Music will help you get into supermodel mode. I have a bluetooth speaker at the studio to stream your tunes. You're in full control of the music during your session; sing, move your body - loosen up and set the mood for a fun-filled photo session!
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Bring A Soft, Lightweight Robe
Write Something Here.​
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Plan Ahead
Write Something Here.
Trust Your Photographer
Write Something Here.​
Postlude
In this section you learn what to expect before, during, and after your photo session.
What To Expect
48 Hours Before Your Shoot
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Expect to receive a booked session reminder email from Cody along with the address, where to park, start/end times, and a phone number just in case of a last minute contact. He will also ask if you have any last minute questions.
The Day Of Your Photo Shoot
Use clear deodorant please.
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Wear loose-fitting clothing to your session to avoid red marks on your skin (no jeans, tight socks or tight clothing).
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Eat something light but filling before you leave your home.
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Arrive with hair, and makeup camera ready (whether by a MUA or yourself). Bring lipgloss or lipstick for re-application.
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Have your final payment ready (check, credit card, or cash).
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Most important: Take a deep breath and RELAX. It’s completely normal to be a wee bit nervous before your shoot, but please don’t worry because you will be in very good hands. Cody will show you exactly how to pose and work with you to get the perfect shot.
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Upon arrival, you may enter through the main entrance of the building. Once you are in the lobby/waiting area, someone (or Cody) will greet you at the front desk. If you arrive before Cody, just say that you are here for a photo session with Cody, and he will meet with you as soon as possible.
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Once we arrive to the set, we will go through your selected outfits and take a moment to get to know each other a little more. We will hang up your clothes on a rack and look through them together. I accept mood boards to get a good idea of what style you want your images to be. However, please note that these images will not be replicated, but used as our inspiration.
The entirety of the photo session itself lasts about 1 hour.
During The Photo Shoot
During the shoot, it will be more relaxed than any other photoshoot experience you might have had. I want to capture you, and my mission is to make you feel safe, comfortable, and free to be your 100% self. You’ll be guided through the entire process and posing. Don't stress over this, I promise it will be a lot of fun! There is really nothing you have to do other than trust me. I guarantee we will get stunning images that you will love! ​
After The Photo Shoot
When the shoot is over, you will pack up and go to lunch (or a break) for an hour as your images will be prepared for you when you get back for your same day viewing and ordering appointment.
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When the hour is up, you will receive a text to meet back with Cody. We will go over images, pricing, and narrow down the images that you want selected for your choice of pricing package.
Once you've made your decision, I will then retouch your purchased digital images.
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*You will receive your completed images within 3-5 weeks after your session via online gallery.*