Girls - this is the time for YOU to shine! Unless you become some famous model or actress, it may be the only time in your life the portraits are
ALL about YOU!

(When you get married, you have to share the limelight a little...but it's a good thing by then!)

So clothing and accessory choices are important!

Colors - Remember that bright or deep colors usually photograph better - whites and khakis can make you look washed out, and not so fabulous.

Patterns can be good, and subtle works well. Remember the focus is mostly on you and how the clothes make you look, not what the tag necessarily says, so have fun shopping, but make sure you love it and are comfortable.

What is your best color? Your mom could probably tell you in a heartbeat.

Tops - These will show most in your shots, so pick well. Beautiful, vibrant colors are good on most people. Bring a few choices, and we can help you decide. Be sure to bring some long-sleeved tops, as well as short, even in summer.  Things to avoid: strapless tops, too many tank tops or spaghetti straps, anything that ever is uncomfortable, or bulges at the buttons in front, undergarments that show.

Jeans/Shorts - are great. Darker will photograph better, but if you have some really cool, moderately torn ones, that could work. Your pants won't show as much as your shirts, so don't stress with these. Shorts can be good - keep them decent enough so that you can send a photo to your grandmother, please!

Skirts - Great. May not show much, or a gorgeous brightly-colored peasant patterned one may make the shot. Short ones can be difficult to... adjust so that they look really good, unless you have model-perfect legs and a perfect tan. But on the right person, with cowboy boots - how cute!

Dresses - Be careful with sundresses and how much they show. Cool prom dresses could be so fun in an unexpected setting, and your parents might be glad you wore that pricey purchase again.

Jackets - Oh, we could go on and on here! Can't go wrong with a denim jacket and a stylin' hat, or a modern blazer, or a puffy one with a fuzzy hood. Cute jackets have lots of possibilities.

Accessories - Grungy cowboy hats, cute boyfriend cap, extravagant beads and earrings, big sunglasses - these can all be really fun in a photo and add that extra special touch for you fashion divas and wanna-be's. Remember the right accessories with the right outfit! With four girls in the house, we do have a sinful amount of fun jewelry, scarves, sweaters and shawls, but you may not love ours to be in your photos.

What about YOU?

Up for Most Athletic or Live to Cheer?  Bring a sports jersey, cheerleading uniform, maybe a ball or bat! We could work in a location shot at the field. You've made the team, and worked hard - let your athletic side show.

Play guitar or other instrument? We can work it in if you like, in a cool way - not the school band photo
pose...eeek! Girls at pianos, girls with guitars - all kinds of possibilities...

Do you ride? As a horse person, I would love to photograph you with your best friend. This would probably require an additional location session time, and you have to help with a pretty pasture, and a clean, calm horse.

Hair, Shoes, Nails, Makeup - Other Stuff

Hair - Most girls opt for wearing it down, and bring a little brush. We will be outside, so bring a little brush to tote. I'll keep an eye on it during the session, because, believe me, it's hard to Photoshop the hairs that stick up! If you color your hair, get it done at least a week before the shoot. Roots will show! Have a good cut, but be yourself - don't try something wild for portraits! Come with your hair done already.

Shoes - I love them, we all do, and we could maybe work in a photo with them, but they probably won't show that much, don't stress over them. We may be in a creek in some shots - can you take them off? Speaking of that...

Toes - And fingernails, in fact. They will definitely show! Please don't arrive with safety orange nail polish with pink dots that ya'll all put on at the slumber party two weeks ago! Was the last time you polished them back before prom? Remove the polish and buff them up, put on some natural-colored or subtle polish.

Makeup - Probably the most important thing is be easy on your eyes. Too much or clumpy mascara and eyeliner will make your gorgeous eyes look teeny! And clean up smudges and specs! Go easy on the foundation - we can retouch blemishes, don't try to cover it up with cake-frosting techniques. Also, lipstick is wonderful, but not gloss (ok, let that breath out now, girls - it's ok, I have teenagers). The shine hides your lip color. You might want to bring a compact to powder your nose.

Other stuff - Don't worry if you break out right before the session - that is what retouching is for.