- Plan wardrobe a week ahead—solid colors, fitted clothes, 2-3 options
- Sleep 7-8 hours, hydrate, skip alcohol the night before
- Bring touch-up supplies, snacks, water, and reference photos
- The first 15 minutes are always awkward—it gets better
Your first professional photoshoot doesn't have to be stressful. The difference between a good session and a great one is almost always preparation. Here's the checklist we send every first-time client.
If you are planning a specific kind of shoot, start with the page closest to your session: LinkedIn headshots, executive headshots, dating profile photography, proposal photography, NYC vacation photos, or graduation photos.
One Week Before: Wardrobe
Wear what makes you confident, but keep the camera in mind:
- Do: Solid colors (navy, emerald, burgundy, black, cream), fitted pieces, layers for variety
- Don't: Busy patterns, logos, anything brand-new you haven't tested, neon
- Always: Steam or iron everything—wrinkles are brutal on camera
Bring 2-3 outfit options. Your photographer will help you pick what works in the actual lighting.
Night Before: Rest
This is the most overlooked part. Dark circles and puffy eyes are hard to edit out, and low energy shows in every frame.
- 7-8 hours of sleep
- Plenty of water (dehydration shows in your skin)
- No alcohol, no salty food
Morning Of: Don't Experiment
Stick to your normal routine. No new skincare, no fresh haircut (get it a week early), no untested makeup. If you wear makeup, go slightly more defined than usual—cameras flatten features. Matte finishes photograph better than shimmer.
What to Pack
- Outfits on hangers
- Touch-up kit: powder, lip product, hair product, deodorant
- Snack and water (low blood sugar = low energy)
- Reference photos of looks you like
For location sessions, add comfortable walking shoes, a small bag you do not mind setting down, and a weather backup. This matters most for outdoor routes such as Central Park portraits, DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge photos, or multi-stop NYC vacation photography.
During the Shoot
Your only job is to follow direction and breathe. The photographer handles the rest—angles, lighting, what looks good. Trust them.
The first 15 minutes are always a warmup. Everyone feels stiff. Don't judge the session by how you feel at the start—most people hit their stride after the awkwardness passes.
If you're nervous, say so. Good photographers are skilled at putting people at ease, but they need to know. Read how one client went from camera-shy to confident if you need proof it works.
Different sessions need slightly different prep. For business shoots, bring one polished layer and one relaxed option for corporate headshots or executive portraits. For dating apps, bring outfits that feel like your real weekends, not a costume. For proposal coverage, focus on timing, meeting point, and how the photographer will stay discreet.
After the Shoot
Most photographers deliver in 1-2 weeks. Review on a full-size screen, not just your phone. Pick images based on how you want to be perceived, not just which ones you think look "prettiest." Trust your photographer's recommendations.
Start your intake form—we'll match you with a photographer who specializes in making first-timers look incredible.
