How to Prepare for Your Portrait Shoot: A Methodical Checklist
Preparation is the Key to a Great Portrait
A successful portrait is never just a picture; it is the result of collaboration, planning, and intention. Whether this is your first time in front of a professional camera or you’re building your personal or professional portfolio, the most important element of a successful shoot happens before the camera is ever picked up.
This guide is designed to remove stress and uncertainty, ensuring that when you step on set, you feel confident, relaxed, and ready. The aim is to align on the story we are telling and the mood we want to capture—whether for a brand, publication, or personal project. This is the same methodical process I use for all my editorial, fashion, and music clients.
Phase 1: One Week Before Your Shoot
Understanding the Concept and Mood
During our initial planning, we establish a clear concept and moodboard. Now is the time to revisit it and absorb the creative direction we discussed. Are we capturing authority and confidence for a professional brand, the creative energy of a musician, or a narrative for an editorial fashion story? Understanding this “why” informs every other choice we make—from wardrobe to expression.
Finalise Your Wardrobe
Wardrobe is not optional—it’s central to the visual story. Items must be selected with intention:
Align choices with the moodboard. Consider texture, colour, and fit.
Avoid busy patterns, large graphics, or overt branding unless part of the concept.
Prepare your clothing the night before: ensure everything is clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free, as imperfections are amplified on camera.
Styling, Hair, and Makeup Planning
If we’re working with a professional stylist or makeup artist, they’ll be fully briefed on the concept. Your role is to arrive prepared: clean, moisturised skin and freshly washed hair unless specified otherwise.
If you’re doing your own hair and makeup:
Keep it natural and elevated.
Bring your kit for adjustments on set.
Avoid new skin products or drastic hair changes right before the shoot.
Phase 2: The Day Before Your Shoot
Pack Your Photoshoot Bag
Organisation is essential. Having everything ready prevents last-minute stress. My non-negotiable checklist:
All wardrobe items, clean, pressed, and on hangers.
Corresponding footwear, cleaned if necessary.
Any accessories discussed (jewellery, belts, hats).
Your makeup kit for touch-ups.
Hairbrush, pins, and hairspray.
Nude, seamless undergarments to avoid visible lines.
A simple black or white t-shirt as a “just in case” backup.
Practical Logistics
Confirm the shoot’s call time and location—studio or on-location in London.
Plan your route to arrive on time.
Get a full night’s sleep—rest affects your energy, presence, and skin.
Stay hydrated and avoid excess salt or alcohol.
Phase 3: The Day of the Shoot
Arrive Ready, But Relaxed
Eat a nutritious breakfast, even if you’re nervous. Energy and focus are key. Arrive on time, take a deep breath, and trust the process we’ve built.
Trust the Process: Posing and Direction
One of the most common concerns I hear is, “I don’t know how to pose.” My answer is simple: you don’t have to. My job is to direct the shoot, guiding you through angles, expressions, and subtle movements to achieve natural, authentic results.
We balance candid moments with planned compositions, adjusting lighting and positioning to match the concept. I guide where to stand, how to hold your hands, and how to interact with the space. Your role is to be present and respond to direction.
Our Goal: A Successful, Stress-Free Session
All this preparation serves one purpose: it allows creativity to flourish. When planning is solid, we are free to capture authentic, mood-driven moments that define a compelling portrait. The final images will be a direct result of the collaborative effort before and during the session, ensuring a seamless, professional, and confident experience.