The Graduate - Helpful Tips

Be your best SELF! Take care of yourself the days leading up to your session. Drink plenty of water; don’t skimp on your skincare routine. Best not to have a big night out or late night the night before. Best to get a few good nights sleep before your session. Seriously, this all helps you look fresh on the day.

Another tip, do not try a new skincare the week before you session. Trust me, you don’t know if it will cause a reaction and we don’t want red bumps appearing.

Please no spray tan before your session, the camera doesn’t like the colour.

Having hair done by us? Please arrive with CLEAN AND DRY Hair (PLEASE WASH THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SESSION - NOT THE DAY OF). We will do the rest. You want curls, we will give you curls. You want straight hair, we can do that too. Don’t worry, we will work with you to get the look that says … WOW this is ME! If we are not doing your hair … Arrive on the day, at your session time, with your hair ready! Why not get a blow wave the day before or the morning of your session. We are here to help you make sure everything is in place - so bring your brush.

For make-up, before you arrive, make sure your skin is refreshed and ready to go. Our make-up artist will ask you how you wear your make-up when you go out. Don’t worry, your images are not about your make-up. They are about you. We don’t use too much make-up and we make sure that is appropriate for your skin.

Some helpful tips:

• Keep it simple and make sure it feels good for you. If you normally wear a strong lipstick, then that’s fine, but don’t go for a bold look if you don’t normally look like that. Think day time.

• Blemishes and “smile” lines can be touched up afterwards, don’t worry.

Please also think about your nails and eyebrows. If they need a tidy up, please do so a few days ahead of your photo shoot. Your nails may or may not show in your images, but your eyebrows definitely will.

Please bring multiple outfits! What outfits are totally you? What is your vibe.

Not sure, don’t worry, we will wor this out in your planning session and I will send you a recap so you have a list.

Some helpful tips (But remember, YOU BE YOU!):

• Be careful of patterns. They may distract from you. But if it is something you LUV … bring it!

• Pick a colour that is you and you feel good in and brings attention to your eyes.

• Have a sport, hobby or anything that so YOU. Bring any props you want.

Let’s make sure they look their best too. They want to compliment you and you want to compliment them. Clothing should compliment, not dominate the portrait. Above all, feel comfortable and that will come across in your images. However, here are a few tips to help.

• Avoid any clothes with logos, writing or strong patterns.

• Solid colours are good. Gone are the day everyone needs to wear the same colour. The tones must compliment each other.

Let us know. If there is a feature of your face that you don’t like or something that you are self conscious of let me know. I will work with you to make sure we get the best angles for you.

Your engaging smile is the key to a wonderful image. We won’t tell you to smile, but we will make you smile.

Most importantly, relax and let’s get ready for some fun! I know that having your photo taken is not always fun. But with us it will be.

You will have your photo REVEAL session right after your session or within 2 weeks of your session. (This will be scheduled at your session) During your reveal you get to see your top images and I will help you work out how your would like to display the images in you home. You can elect to have your REVEAL in person or virtual via Zoom. Both are great options.

There is no obligation for a specific spend. You can purchase as little or as much as you like.

Please arrive at your session time. If you feel like you will be late, just send us a text. The address of the studio is 475 Burke Rd, Camberwell Victoria. We are on level 1 of Hair Body & Soul. Just enter the salon and ask for Gray at the front desk.

Parking can be a bit tricky. I don’t want you to feel rushed, so please make sure you have a park that gives you plenty of time. Feel free to drop your clothes off and then I will set up your dressing room while you park your car. See below for parking ideas.