Just got done reading this really wonderful post by a favorite Tampa photographer of mine, Shay Cochrane - thought I’d share the awesomeness!

FAQ: How to look smokin’ hot for your shoot!

It’s the morning of your portrait session and there you are, curlers in your hair, makeup half done as you try to decide between the smokey eye or the natural peachy look.  Boots or flats? Hair up or down? Yellow dress or skinny jeans?  Aghhhh so many decisions!  Here are just a few tips to help you totally rock out your shoot so that you feel and look confident and fabulous!

1.  Have your hair and make up done the morning of the shoot. Not only is this going to give you a polished camera ready look but a makeup artist will be able to play up your features so that they really pop on camera.  In addition, you will feel so fabulous and relaxed after a morning of pampering that you will be ready to rock out your photo shoot America’s Next Top Model style.  If you can only do one of these, opt for have your makeup done.  Your normal amount of day to day makeup looks like no makeup on camera. You have made the investment in the photographer, now make the investment in yourself!

2. What ever you were planning on wearing, take it up just a notch higher. If you want to wear heals, opt for the platforms, instead of small stud earings, wear your favorite dangly ones that make the bolder statement.  Subtlety in real life does not come across well on camera.  Even the most “natural” look that you see in the Anthropologie magazine was put together meticulously and would likely appear overstated in person.  This applies to clothing choices as well as makeup.  In clothing, go for the bolder, brighter colors and silhouettes that makes a statement over the more typical every day pieces in your wardrobe.  In makeup, if you are doing it yourself, you will need to “overdo” the look (think makeup for an evening cocktail party).  Likely you will need a bit more foundation, more shading and contouring of the face, darker mascara etc to suit the look that you are going for.  When in doubt, trust a professional to do this for you:)

3. With all of that said, I know what you are thinking…that you are going to look like the love child of Dolly Parton and a rodeo clown.  You are just going to have to trust me on this one.  I want you to look like “you”, just taken to the next level – the most smokin’ hot version of you.  So instead of throwing on a pair of jeans and flats and your most comfy shirt that matches your eyes – I want you to think about what you would wear for say, a nice dinner out to a trendy New York City restaurant….where there just might happen to be paparazzi!

4. Go for the right fit. You might love that dress but if it isn’t snug and the straps fall down every 3 seconds then you are going to be thinking about that and be less able to relax in front of the camera.  This applies for both you and your beau (if you are doing a couples session).  If the clothing doesn’t fit tailored the way that it should, opt for another outfit choice.  When in doubt, bring a few options to the shoot and your photographer will gladly help you decide! [note from ssp: this is so true! let us help you out!]

5. Go for the right shape. If you have never seen TLC’s “What Not to Wear” then that is your homework – go watch a few episodes before picking out your look for the shoot!  To recap, here are a few classic tricks to help you work whatcha mamma gave ya: If you are bigger on the bottom than on the top, opt for a pattern up top (a floral or ruffled shirt maybe) and a keep it simple on the bottom (a pair of dark skinny jeans) and vice versa.  Put the pattern where you need to increase visual weight for a more proportioned silhouette.  Lower necklines give the illusion of more length/height. Darker bottoms create a longer leg line. All good things.  Go for clothing with structure or create structure, for example – along the waistline, with a wide belt at your most narrow point.  All of this = skinnier on camera.

6. Eliminate any distractions. Get sleep, come full, arrive early and turn off your cell phone during the shoot.  The point is to have fun with the experience and be all there so that your photographer can capture a natural and laid back you.

**By the way…if you and your fiance show up in matching white shirts and jeans…I WILL send you home.  :)

I misdirected you to an out-of-date site for a friend of mine and wanted to fix that! The graphic design genius of my friend Liesel can be found here, at The Design+ER.

just another quick teaser - *love* this!