Whether you’ve already booked your session or are planning to… follow these 15 easy steps so you’re prepared and ready to rock n’ roll for your next photoshoot.

Before Booking

1. Know Your Goal: Where will your images be used and what are you trying to convey? Who are you speaking to? These are important to talk with your photographer about and will help them create a shot-list.

2. Research Your Photographer’s Style: Does their style match the message you’re trying to convey? If yes- go ahead and reach out about booking. If not, find another photographer that more closely aligns with your brand.

3. Create a Realistic Budget: Factor in your photographer’s rates in addition to a professional hair and makeup artist, clothing stylist and props or location fees. You may pick and choose what you’d like to invest in but the photographer’s time and a makeup artist should be #1 and #2 on your list. If you don’t think your budget will suffice for everything needed, inquire and then save $ monthly until you reach your goal budget and can book your dream session.

4. Create an Inspiration Board: Login to or create a Pinterest account to pin images that align with your vision. Share this with your photographer so you’re on the same page.

At Booking

1. Ask Your Photographer for Recommendations: Often your photographer will have a list of great hair stylist, makeup artists, and clothing stylists they’ve worked with and trust to show up and do an amazing job. Quality and reliability are key so ask their opinion if you do not already have a go-to person who understands what looks good on camera.

2. Have Your Calendar Open: Session slots are first come first serve so be ready to choose a date and time.

3. Be prepared to pay a 50% Retainer: To show that you are serious and officially book your session, a 50%, non-refundable retainer is due. Make sure you’re prepared to do this at the time of booking.

4. Brainstorm a Shot-List: You may do this before booking with your photographer or while you’re chatting with them. The shot list helps you map out what shots you’ll capture and which props will be used in which images. It makes sure nothing important is missed. Make sure the photographer has this at time of booking and NOT the day-of.

Before Your Session

1. Set Out Items in Advance: The nigh before, prepare your wardrobe, props and any items you plan to bring and arrange them in one place. If they’re all together you’re less likely to forget something and it makes for a stress-free morning!

2. Try Clothing On: Make sure all items of clothing fit and you don’t feel uncomfortable or need a bobby pin or additional accessories to alter your outfit.

3. Stressed About Being on Camera?: Practice different poses and various smiles in the mirror at home. Learn what your body looks like when you move this way vs that way and if you like a full belly laugh smile or small subdued smile. This is a great way to study your body language and see what feels right so you’re feeling happy and confident the day-off.

4. Have the Location Mapped Out: Put the location address in your phone calendar and link it up to Waze so you know when to leave and aren’t fumbling through emails looking for the address 20 mins before your session.

Day of Session

1. Be On Time: I cannot stress this enough. Arriving late cuts into your session time. Why miss out when you took this much time planning ahead?

2. Have a Go-To Playlist: Do you have Spotify or Amazon Music? Create a fun playlist for music during your session. This will help take your mind off the the fact you’re in front of a camera and to promote confident and playful energy.

3. Have Fun: All of the planning was done in advance so you can just channel all the good vibes during your session!

If you have questions or are interested in booking a session please contact Sarah at hello@sarahvitelphoto.com.