Every portrait session starts long before I pick up a camera. The sessions that turn out best almost always have the same thing in common: the person in front of the lens made a few simple decisions ahead of time instead of leaving everything to the day itself. Here's what actually moves the needle.
What to Wear
Solid colors photograph better than busy patterns, and fabrics with a little texture (knits, linen, suede) tend to read more interesting than flat cotton. Beyond that, the real rule is simpler than most people expect:
- Wear something you actually feel like yourself in. It shows on your face before it shows in the photo.
- Bring one backup outfit if we're shooting more than one look — a jacket or layer change is enough to make a gallery feel varied.
- Avoid logos and busy text. They date a photo fast and pull focus from you.
Choosing a Location
Location should support the story you're telling, not distract from it. A downtown Lexington backdrop with texture and architecture works beautifully for editorial or brand-forward portraits. A quieter, greener setting tends to work better for family or more personal sessions. If you're not sure, tell me the feeling you want the photos to have — confident, warm, relaxed, powerful — and I'll suggest a location that actually supports that.
Timing Matters More Than You Think
Light is the entire job. Early morning and the hour or two before sunset give soft, flattering, directional light that does most of the work for us. A session booked in the flat light of midday has to fight harder for the same result. If your schedule allows any flexibility at all, build the session around the light — not the other way around.
The best portrait sessions aren't the most planned. They're the ones where the small things were handled early, so there was nothing left to think about except showing up.
The Day Of
Get there a few minutes early, bring water, and don't overthink your expressions — I'll direct you through it. Most of the "awkward in front of the camera" feeling disappears about ten minutes in, once we find a rhythm. My job is to read the room, find the light, and make sure you leave with images that actually look like you.