THE CONSULTATION

All portrait sessions are custom designed for each person.

We begin with a consultation to get to know you and to talk about the type of portrait session you want.

We will discuss wardrobe, preparation, what you like, what you dislike, and any other details you may wish to include.

I will remind you to pamper yourself a bit before your photoshoot to help you get camera ready:

• If needed, remember to schedule a haircut about 3-5 days BEFORE your headshot session, not the day of your session. Sometimes after a haircut, we’re left with tan lines and hair that isn’t quite sure how it wants to be styled yet. By giving yourself a few days, you’ll have some time to learn how your hair lays best and how you want to style it. A little trim will help your hair look healthy in your images.

• Don’t do any extreme beauty regimens right before your shoot, like facial peels, tanning or extensive exfoliating that could irritate your skin. Give yourself a 1-2 weeks between the session and extreme regimens. 

• Get rid of any unwanted hair a few days before your shoot. This includes cleaning up brows and any unwanted facial hair above your lip, along your jaw line, in your ears/ nose, etc. We all get it but we don’t want it showing up in your best photo of yourself.

• Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! Moisturize your face with lotion and use lip balm to keep lips looking soft.

• The night before brush your lips with your toothbrush to help get rid of any dead skin. Finish with a lip balm to keep them smooth.

Most importantly…

• Get plenty of rest the night before so you do not look tired in your photos

• Remember to drink lots of water.

• Try not to indulge in any salty snacks and sugary drinks or snacks ….like wine, soda, potato chips, etc... at least 24 hours before your shoot to reduce inflammation. This will help your skin will glow from the inside out!

WHAT TO WEAR

A few days before your shoot you’ll want to pick out your outfits or we will have picked them out during your consult.

See the suggestions below to help keep clothing choices (and your photos) classic and timeless:

1. Keep it simple
   Colors - Solid neutral colors look timeless and photograph best.
   As a rule of thumb, choose colors that compliment your eyes and skin color.

   A black or a white top, whether it’s a shirt, t-shirt, dress, you name it, is a safe go-to – neutral but elegant, and suits almost everyone. Have at least one simple outfit, so one of your headshots is ready to go for anything.

   However - avoid ghost-white shirt if you have very pale skin. Is your skin tone warm or cold? If your skin tone is warm, try colors and shades that are warm, and vice versa.

   Vivid color tops or Jewel tones (Emerald Green · Ruby Red · Sapphire Blue · Lapis Purple · Midnight Blue · Citrine Yellow) will help your headshot ‘pop’ and stand out from the rest. Extra points if it matches your eyes and complexion!

   Avoid trends and dress for your body type.

   Check your patterns - If your shirt has a pattern, make sure it is something that you will love a year from now and doesn’t make you dizzy when looking at it. Some stripes for example can create a ‘strobe’ effect or flutter on camera and look weird. Just be aware of it!

   Avoid logos on clothing… unless it is your business logo!

   Necklines - A modest v-neck is universally flattering because it lengthens the neck. Careful not to overdo it, a deep V-Neck can show too much cleavage. Make sure everything is in proportion.
   U-neck will make your neck look shorter if it’s close to your neck. The further the neckline is from your neck, the longer your neck will appear.
   Be careful with a turtle-neck as it tends to shorten your neck. Also, sometimes it might result in a ‘floating head’ look, if the color of your top matches the background.
   Off-shoulder look is very feminine, showing off your neck and shoulders in the most natural way.

   Make sure you are comfortable with the fit of your clothes -
   When you aren't comfortable, it shows. Also remember not to wear anything too baggy, it can actually make people look bigger than they really are, at the same time you also don’t want to wear anything too tight. Find that just right fit that gives you confidence and looks great.

2. Bring a few different options
   I suggest at least casual outfit and a dressy or power outfit are good for variety.
   Bring different colors too, like a simple light colored outfit, a simple dark outfit. If you bring 3 black shirts that doesn’t give us much variety.
   Also think layers! Jackets, blazers or sweaters are great for adding texture and giving a different look quickly.

3. Make sure that clothes are ironed /wrinkle free

   Wrinkles on your clothes stick out in photos. The camera catches ev-ery-thing.. yes everything! - and wrinkles are difficult to edit out.

4. Bring your favorite accessories or jewelry
   It can add a little 'pop' to your look. For a timeless and classic look - choose simple earrings and necklaces. 

   Do not forget the correct undergarments!
   If you plan on wearing a white shirt for example, you will need a nude bra, as a black bra would be visible under a white shirt and we don’t want that!

   Make sure your nails are clean and polished. If you wear nail polish, make sure they are not chipped and stick to a neutral color like a pale pink color that will look clean and classic.

5. Practice
   You know what they say, Practice makes perfect. You’re probably thinking, “what the…?! How?! Won’t you be posing me?” and YES! I will fully direct you on the date of your session, but I have also found that if you practice your smile or poses - even for just for a minute - it will help you feel more comfortable, quicker when I am standing in front of you with the camera… which means we will get even more great photos for you to choose from! I know when I’m not comfortable, it shows, so I want you to feel comfortable above all else. Having your photograph taken is actually a lot like acting. Take some time in advance to consider what kind of feeling you are trying capture in your image. Prepare by then practicing their "looks" in front of the mirror.

   INSIDER TIPS AND TRICKS -

   When you’re in front of the camera, angles are your friend because they create shadows,  that if used correctly can make people look even slimmer.  Facing straight on to the camera is generally avoided. Turn one shoulder closer to the camera so your body is at an angle.  

   Here’s my favorite trick to give a nice defined jaw line…  Push your head forward (a bit like a turtle) and tip your chin down.  This feels so weird, but works because it makes the jawline tighter.  

6. Remember to Breathe & SMILE! At the end of the day, the key to a wonderful portrait is more than what you wear ... the most important factor is your smile. 

   I know that there aren't many people that actually look forward to having their photo taken, but I promise, I will make this an enjoyable experience for you. Again I will guide you but it helps to have this information up front.

You can be as casual as you like, jeans are perfect and be as dressy as you like beaded gowns and flowers in your hair. That’s up to you and your style. Of course most people tell me they have nothing to wear and then bring in 5 outfits and that’s perfect and encouraged!

Also… here’s the fun thing about being photographed in the studio - you can wear something you would never wear out like a favorite dress that doesn’t quite zip up anymore or that’s too short…. I will pose and angle you in a way that No one will even know! Everyone has that cocktail dress in their wardrobe that they would love to wear.

If you have questions about an outfit you can always email or text me a photo of your outfit before the session. I’m only a call/message away!

email: loricardwell@outlook.com or call/text: 317.296.4359

GETTING CAMERA READY

Take some time to pamper yourself a bit before your photoshoot and be camera ready.

FOR THE LADIES.

Bring your wardrobe + make sure your hair is fully styled.
Reminder we will not style your hair.

My makeup artist will take care of all your makeup. Arrive with a clean face. Bring lip balm or lip gloss with you to help keep lips looking soft during the session. If you have skin allergies please let me know before your session.

The night before brush your lips with your toothbrush to help get rid of any dead skin.

Don’t do any extreme beauty regimens right before your shoot, like facial peels, tanning or extensive exfoliating that could irritate your skin. Clean up brows and any unwanted facial hair. We all get the horrible upper lip hair but we don’t want it showing up in your best photo of yourself.

FOR THE MEN.

Shave right before you leave for a shoot. A 5 o clock shadow can’t be Photoshopped easily.
Use cooling gel or aftershave to help with skin irritation.

Most importantly for everyone, make sure to get plenty of rest the night before.

THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION

Location of Home Studio: 6638 W Mallard Ln, McCordsville, IN 46055

Arrive at my studio at your scheduled time with your clothes and accessories in hand and ready to be pampered and have fun!

Ladies - arrive with clean, moisturized face, no makeup. The makeup artist will work with you to create the look you want first. I have a makeup chart for you to select your style. The makeup process will take 60 minutes so arriving on time is important to keep everyone on schedule.

Please arrive with your hair styled how you would like. Your hair should be completely camera ready. Your makeup artist will do a quick flyaway check, smoothing and hairspray after your makeup.

The photoshoot follows and I will direct you into poses that you look amazing in with multiple outfit changes.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

After your session we will review the unedited images for you to make your favorite selections.

If you would like to add more images onto your package you may do so after the session.

THE INVESTMENT

Only purchase what you love.

Individual photos start at $190

Ask about custom framed wall art or photo albums.

What you spend is entirely up to you.

My job is to take beautiful portraits that you absolutely love.

I am committed to delivering photos that you will look your best in.

I will go over your product options at the photo session and also in more detail at your ordering session.