It’s finally here! The day of your photoshoot with Studio P. While every shoot is a unique experience and we will do everything in our power to meet your requests, here are some general guidelines that will help to make your day go much more smoothly.

Arrive early! – The clock starts at the agreed upon time. That means if the appointment is scheduled for 10 a.m., the clock starts at 10 a.m. No exceptions! So if you are late, every second you are not there eats away at the time we have to take images. So, it’s probably best to shoot for being at least 15 minutes early.

Makeup and appearance – Ladies, if you are doing your own makeup, make sure that it is exactly the way that you want it when the camera starts shooting. We recommend that you go a little less heavy than normal on blush and foundation, and a little more heavy than normal with eye makeup and mascara. Nails should be groomed and painted with either a clear polish or a neutral color. Do not arrive with chipped nails — they will show in the images! Toenails should be groomed and painted as we sometimes take barefoot shots. Gentlemen and ladies, hair should be well-groomed and at least lightly sprayed, especially if we will be shooting outdoors. It is very important that you do not get a spray tan, lay out in the sun or go to a tanning salon within two days of your photo shoot.

Clothing – While we want you to pick clothing that reflects you and your style, there are some things to keep in mind. Solid colors translate much better to images than patterns. If we are going to be outside, bright, light colors work best. Ladies, halter tops or sleeveless blouses can present a challenge to flattering the arms. Also, clothing should not be skin-tight, but if it looks too bulky to you, even if it’s borderline, it will almost certainly be too bulky to the camera. If we are going to be doing multiple outfits, especially on location, try to avoid clothing that is difficult to get into and out of. Consider layered clothing, since it is easier to change the look just by adding or removing one piece.

Undergarments – Make sure that you choose appropriate undergarments for the clothing that you choose. Don’t wear a black bra under a white shirt. If you are wearing a sleeveless dress, bring a strapless bra. And men, if you are wearing a dark suit or pants, please wear dark socks.

Kids – for age kindergarten and below, make sure that they are fed and they are not in need of a nap. Bring more clothes than you think that you need in case of an accident. Also, bring any favorite toys or stuffed animals if they will help your child relax and be more comfortable. If your child becomes ill on the day of your shoot, please call and reschedule.

Miscellaneous – Ladies, if we are doing barefoot shots, especially outdoors, bring some baby wipes to clean the bottom of your feet. If you want to include your pet in your photos that’s great, but it must be well-behaved, and if it is not on a leash, it must obey your commands. You are welcome to bring an iPod or phone loaded with your music that we will play while shooting in the studio. However, no explicit lyrics, please.

But most of all, bring your smiles, your laughs and your personality. We’re gonna have fun!