TL;DR: The best photos come from preparation that happens before you ever step in front of the camera. Build a clear reference board, take care of your skin and hair in the days ahead not the night before, bring more wardrobe options than you think you need, and arrive rested and unhurried.
The shoot goes better when the decisions are already made. I have shot enough beauty and fashion sessions to know that the images almost always reflect the prep. The clients who plan get relaxed, confident photos. The ones who wing it spend the first hour warming up. Here is how to walk in ready.
What should I do in the days before the shoot?
Treat your skin and hair like the shoot is an event, because it is. Hydrate, sleep, and avoid trying any brand new skincare or a fresh haircut in the 48 hours before, since that is exactly when a reaction or a cut you dislike shows up. If you are getting a facial or a wax, do it several days ahead, not the day before, so any redness has time to settle. Small, boring, and early beats dramatic and last minute every time. Don’t forget about your nails! Having manicured hands is important, whether you do it at home or at the nail salon, make sure they are cleaned up. I always love a press on, as well. The nails are part of the look.
How do I plan the look I want?
Build a reference board. Pull five to ten images that capture the mood, color, and energy you want, and share them with your photographer before the day. This is the single most useful thing you can do. “Make me look good” means something different to everyone, but a set of references gives us a shared target we can actually hit. If you love bold color and high-contrast styling, say so early, because that changes how we light and shoot. As a conceptual photographer I love a challenge, so feel free to message me with a vibe and we can work on what we will need to bring it to life.
What should I bring for wardrobe?
More than you plan to use. Bring options in different colors and silhouettes, including a few you are unsure about, because pieces read differently on camera than in the mirror. Steam or iron everything in advance, since wrinkles are more time consuming to fix in editing than people assume. Simple, well-fitted pieces almost always photograph better than busy ones, and solid colors give a beauty or fashion image room to breathe. Feel free to send me your ideas, and I’m happy to let you know my professional opinion. Styling is a passion of mine, as well, so don’t hesitate to as me and I can always discuss.
Should I do my own hair and makeup?
For a polished beauty or fashion result, professional hair and makeup is worth it, and it is built for camera, which is different from everyday application. If you are doing your own, apply a little more than you normally would, since cameras and lighting soften it, and always bring your products for touch ups. Matte over heavy shimmer photographs more reliably under studio light. When in doubt, ask your photographer what they recommend for the look on your board. I’ve worked with a lot of different artists who work with different styles so feel free to ask me and I can suggest someone I believe can achieve the look you are going for.
How do I not feel awkward in front of the camera?
Everyone feels stiff for the first few minutes, so plan for it instead of fearing it. Arrive early enough that you are not rushing, bring a playlist you love, and trust that directing you is my job. Movement helps more than holding a pose, small shifts, a real laugh, a slow turn. The photos that feel effortless are almost never the first frame, they come once you have settled, which is exactly why we build in that time. I got you!
What should I confirm with my photographer beforehand?
Lock the logistics so the creative part is free. Confirm the address and call time, how long the session runs, how many final images you will receive, and roughly when they will be delivered. Ask whether hair and makeup are included or arranged separately. Sorting this in advance means the day itself is about the images, not the admin.
Preparation is what turns a shoot from stressful into fun. Do the boring parts early, bring your ideas and your options, and let yourself enjoy it. The best photos come when you’re having a nice time on set.
Vico Velez is a Los Angeles beauty, fashion, and music photographer known for vivid, hyper-stylized color, shooting from her studio in Hollywood, CA. See her work and book a session at vicovelez.com