What to Expect

Thank you for your interest in working with Sharon Rene Photography and her creative team. We know planning photos, whether for a headshot, press kit, personal, or just for fun, can be confusing and often stressful. We have outlined what you can expect from your session starting with how to prepare.

As a reminder, you can always

Hello@sharonrenephotography.com

if you have any questions.
I’m happy to help!

About Your Session

Photo sessions can run between 3-4 hours. We will meet at the selected location at our scheduled time, go over any special photo

requests or needs you have, and

then begin your session!

We will work several different poses, backgrounds, and walk around our location to get new perspectives.

Our goal is to try to keep things relaxed trying not to make it all about posing

or stiff smiles. Capturing organic moments

just as much as the smiling-at-the-camera moments. I’m happy to accommodate any fun posing ideas you have or any props you’d like to incorporate. At the end of the session, ask any last questions and then we’re all finished!

Remember the weather

If it is hot, you may want to bring a cold beverages;

cold, maybe a jacket between shots.

Clothing changes

We provide a portable changing station..

Eat before your session

Enjoy a healthy meal before your session.

Bring a snack and a beverage to stay nourished.

Just for your session, we ask that you avoid bringing soda.

Preparing for Your Session

Your Beauty Checklist

When having your portrait taken, there are five areas where a little advanced preparation can make a huge difference. Neglect them, and an otherwise perfect photo could end up with distracting elements which take the focus away from where it should be.

The five areas are: Face, Hair, Hands, Skin, and Clothes.

The week before your session (or sooner, if you’ve booked ahead) is a time for planning. Decide on outfits, choose which beautification steps you will take, and schedule the appointments (even if they’re just with yourself). Remember, these tips are here to help you think of ideas for preparing for your session, but are definitely not required, or even necessary for everybody. Just choose what fits in with your budget, lifestyle, and current beauty regimen, and go from there!

SMILE

Whiten Teeth: Crest sells white-strips that whiten in a week

or less for a quick whiteness boost. I hear dentists can

whiten teeth, too. Many even do it for free for new clients.

If you’re due for a cleaning, you might consider going all out.

SKIN

Don’t Pick: A pimple is very easy to cover with makeup, but scabs, wounds and flaky patches are more tricky. As soon as possible, stop picking at your skin. If you’re like me and scratch and squeeze at every bump and flake on your face, it’s time to pull out the big guns. Do whatever it takes. Stop examining your face closer than 2 feet from a mirror. If you distractedly pick while you’re doing something else, try wearing Band-Aids on your fingertips.

Exfoliate: Oatmeal is a very gentle exfoliant, so it's perfect for sensitive skin. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and is very moisturizing. Mix finely ground oatmeal with honey and/or kefir

(you can also use yogurt or buttermilk). Scrub on your face in a circular motion, let sit for 15-30 minutes, rinse, wash as usual. Plan to exfoliate a couple times before your appointment, but be sure to allow a few days between ‘treatments’, as well as a couple days after the last one before your session.

Get a Facial: If you’re going to go all out into pamper mode, be sure to do your facial at least a week before your session. Since facials tend to cause redness, a week usually allows

enough time to heal. For those of us on a budget, an at-home facial with a gooey, fluorescent masque is always a fun alternative

to a night on the town. Throw in a delicious book and recharge your psyche. Repeat as necessary.

Wax or Shave: If you go the waxing route, give yourself

3 days to heal before your session. Shaving can be done

the night before. Be sure to get your legs and underarms, and if you’ll be wearing a swimsuit or lingerie, go for the bikini area as well.

Wax Eyebrows: If you decide to have your eyebrows waxed or threaded, be sure to schedule the appointment for at least a few days before your session. Otherwise, an eyebrow trim/touch up at home could be done a day or two before the session. I recommend Benefits Beauty Bar in Macy’s or European Waxing Center.

Spray Tan: If you usually have a faux glow, get a spray tan 2 days before your session. Remember that, while Photoshop can hide a multitude of sins, you’ll love knowing that your pictures have captured your most

perfect self. At the end of the day, there are some things no amount of preparation can change, (and maybe you wouldn’t want to). A couple of examples are birthmarks or scars. Some people feel that these markings are part of who we are, while others would

rather have them “photoshopped” away. Which is right?

Whatever you want. It’s your face, your body, your photos.

HAIR

Touch Up Your Roots: If you dye your hair, touching up your regrowth three days before your session is ideal. Take my advice: this is not the time for drastic changes. Trust me!

Get a Trim: Neat, healthy hair is youthful and vibrant. If it’s been awhile since your last haircut, even a subtle trim can make a world of difference.

Deep Condition. Your salon can do a professional conditioning treatment, or you can use your favorite deep conditioner or protein pack at home. Toss it on with the gooey facial masque. Wrap your head, turban-style. Wear harem pants and pretend you’re a genie while you’re marinating. Or read a book. Your call.

NAILS

Get a Manicure: While you’re at it, toss in the pedicure.
If you’re hard on your manicures, book the mani/pedi for the day before your session.

Minimalists can stick with neatly shaped, clear nails. Soft, neutral colors work well for fingertips.
Toes can get away with any color. (Think about the outfits you’re bringing and be sure to choose a color that will compliment your choices.)

Clean Your Rings. Using a toothbrush and toothpaste is a great day-to-day way to clean your bling, but most professional jewelers have sonic cleaners that make it sparkle like the day it was born. Many will even clean your ring for free. Especially if you return to the jeweler you bought it from.

If it’s been a long time since your last pro cleaning, take the ring in right away. If there are any loose stones in your setting, they may get shaken loose, so it’s a good idea to allow a few days in case the goldsmith needs to reset anything.

If it’s convenient, have it cleaned again the day before your session. Or you could go with the old toothbrush method the night before. Or even stop wearing it between the cleaning and the session. Just don’t leave it at home!

CLOTHING

Your portraits should be a reflection of you, just more polished.

Together, we will create 5-6 unique stylized looks following these simple rules of thumb:

Something Dark: Choose at least one dark outfit or top.

Black, Navy or Charcoal work best here.

Something Light: For your light outfit, think angelic. Soft, gauzy, or layered and sheer. We bring in white, cream, nude, light pink.

Something Fun/Funky/Whimsical: This outfit is your chance to really show your personal style. If you tend toward more conservative tastes, choose a different adjective. Instead of Funky, try Structured, Soft, Elegant, or Formal. Bring something you own or pull from our wardrobe.

Something Sexy: This one is entirely your call. You could skip sexy, and that’s up to you. But if you’d like to, you can be an understated sexy in a backless formal dress, or a more overt sexy in a pretty pinup-style swimsuit. Beautiful lingerie is lovely and empowering. *21 and over only

Consider Necklines: I love to be able to see your collarbone, so boat neck, scoop neck, square neck, deep V and off-the-shoulder are my favorite necklines. Whatever you choose, we will try to make it more interesting than the basic T-Shirt neckline. If you love turtlenecks, we have it! Feel free to bring from home whatever calls to you. Mixing up the necklines will add variety to your shots, so try not to bring all of one style.

Think Texture: Sumptuous textures lend a rich, tactile element to your photos. Our styling wardrobe is filled with a variety of eras, colors, and styling options.

Avoid Prints: Patterns and prints are distracting. We want people to look at you when they see your portrait, and even the most beautiful print will steal that attention.

Fit Your Form: Fitted clothing that shows your shape work best for photographs. Skip that billowy, blouson top, or anything with dolman or batwing sleeves. While they might be flattering in person, they will not be slimming on camera. This applies to any body type. Choose outfits that will hug your curves, especially your waist, hips, arms, and chest.

Forget Shoes: Unless you have a special pair you’re dying to photograph, there’s really no need to worry about the shoes you’ll wear. We have a vast selection of shoes to choose from in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes.

THE DAY OF CHECKLIST

⬚ Bare face (wash and apply your usual moisturizer)

⬚ Clean, dry hair (very short hair should leave it wet)

⬚ Comfy outfit (to sit in if you’re being styled)

⬚ Pretty nails (Neutral fingers, fun toes)

⬚ Clean ring
Touched up brows

CLOTHING OPTIONS

⬚ Dresses (steamed)

⬚ Suit & tie (steamed)

⬚ Casual/dress &/or jeans/t-shirt (options)

⬚ Boots, heels, flats, athletic shoe, dress shoe (tights?)

⬚ Blazer, sport coat, denim jacket (options)

⬚ Dress shirt & tie, casual/dress & jeans/t-shirt (options)

*Stick to using the colors used on your mood board.

For those with the colors gold or silver on their board,

try incorporating jewelry to bring these themes to your session.

Avoid labels & logos

GROOMING

⬚ Make-up (for those who opt out of using service)

⬚ Foundation/powder

⬚ Mascara

⬚ Lipstick changes are a plus. Think of layers!

⬚ Hair - hair & nails should be groomed or prepped

⬚ Hairspray

⬚ Brush/comb

⬚ Bobby Pins/Hair ties/Hair clips

⬚ Nails - Get or give yourself a manicure (pedicure if you plan on going barefoot).

Nails filed, no chipped nail polish.

Moisturize hands & feet.

PROPS

Props:
⬚ Hats
⬚ Scarves
⬚ Sunglasses
⬚ Chair or other easy to carry prop
⬚ Small pet (advice prior to shoot)

*Think of things that are important to you