I see you there, pulling out your entire wardrobe and adding to the mountain of clothes strewn across the room. Firstly, take a breath and put the dress down. I’ve got you — and I promise you’ve got something to wear for your photo shoot. Let me help you break it down so you don’t break the coat hanger in frustration.
Whether you’re coming in for a portrait session, a couples shoot, or a brand content day, a little prep goes a long way — and I’m not talking about anything complicated. Here’s everything you need to know before we meet.
Here’s the golden rule: wear something that you’ll love seeing photos of yourself just as much in 5 weeks as you would in 5 years.
What photographs beautifully:
Textures and layers — linen, knit, denim, flowing fabric. Movement in an outfit (like a flowy dress that catches the breeze, or an open jacket) adds life to photos in a way that a stiff, structured outfit often can’t. Earthy tones, muted colours, and soft neutrals tend to work especially well outdoors. But if you want to go bold and bright, no problem! Patterns can be great too — just avoid very fine stripes or tiny geometric prints, as these often don’t play nice with the camera.
What to skip:
Large logos or bold branding (unless it’s your own brand — then go for it), very bright neon colours that can cast unusual light on your skin (the green goblin glow is decidedly not in), or anything you’d feel uncomfortable in. Also worth leaving at home: fitness trackers and smart watches — they date photos quickly and rarely add anything. A classic or sentimental watch, on the other hand, can add charm and makes for a lovely detail shot.
For brand shoots, bring a couple of outfit options that reflect your brand palette or the vibe of your business — and no, it doesn’t just have to be another black blazer shoot. For couples shoots, coordinate without matching — think complementary tones rather than identical outfits. I can help you brainstorm beyond the matchy-matchy white tee and denim jeans look too.
If we’re shooting at golden hour — that magical window just after sunrise or just before sunset — please, please, please aim to arrive 10 minutes early. Golden hour waits for no one, and that warm, glowy light we’re both chasing moves fast. Ten minutes gives us time to settle in, do a quick scout, and make sure we’re rolling before the light peaks.
Need a particular time for your shoot? Just let me know — I book sessions around the best available light for the location and your availability — but we can always make things work.
You don’t need a full glam squad (unless you want one — in which case, I can help arrange one of my favourite MUAs at discounted rates). The goal is to show up feeling polished and confident, whatever that looks like for you.
A few practical tips: matte or satin finishes photograph beautifully. If you wear makeup day-to-day, go slightly more defined than usual — cameras can soften features a touch. If you don’t wear makeup at all, that’s completely fine — just make sure your skin is moisturised and your hair is how you’d want to remember it.
For outdoor shoots, consider weather and humidity — especially here on the Gold Coast. Setting spray is your friend. And please bring a small touch-up kit if you can: a lip colour, a powder, a hair tie. The little things.
Keep it simple for your Gold Coast photoshoot. I’d suggest:
For brand shoots, I’ll send through a shot list and brief beforehand so we’re both clear on what we’re creating. If you’ve got specific products or props you want featured, bring a few options — more choice on the day is always better.
What I want, what I really, really want is for you to not stress about posing or what to do with your hands. I’ve got you. I’ll gently guide and direct you throughout the entire session.
Years of empowerment and portrait photography have given me a solid eye for what flatters every unique body, face, and personality. I’m not going to plonk you in front of a wall and say “smile.” We’re going to move, chat, laugh, and all the good stuff will happen in between.
If you’re nervous, don’t worry — you’re part of a not-so-elite club of 99% of the population that doesn’t do regular photoshoots. So, totally normal. But some of my all-time favourite shots come from people who walked in terrified and walked out completely surprised by themselves. A little nervous energy is fine — we’ll laugh it off together. You’ve got this.
The most important thing you can bring to your shoot is yourself — just show up, trust the process, and let’s have some fun while we make some magic. If you’ve got questions before the day, call or message me anytime. I love a good pre-shoot chat.
And if you haven’t booked yet but you’re reading this thinking “okay, I might actually be ready for this” — come say hi, I’d love to work with you.
Let’s chat about your photo shoot – contact us.
