The Colony Portraits & Headshots

For Business and Professional shoots, think about what you would wear to an important meeting. This should be your guideline. You want to look professional in your photo. Clothes should be clean and well pressed.

The most important thing: wear something you look and feel great in and that fits you well! This will always result in a good portrait!

Recommended :

• Solid, jewel colors photograph beautifully (deep blues, earthy reds, etc.)
• White and black are ok, though color is recommended
• Glasses, if you normally wear them
• Jackets, Sport Coats, Blazers, if you’d like, or if you normally wear one. Tailored is best.
• Jewelry is fine, but simpler is better
• Clothes should be clean, well pressed, and fit well.

Not Recommended :

• Hot Pink – Please don’t wear this color. It does not photograph well.
• Busy patterns (and plaids) that could be distracting, or colors that may over-power you
• Colors that blend with your skin tone
• Deep-cut blouses that show too much cleavage. Scoop neck, Boat neck, and Crew neck photograph well.
• Tank Tops or shoulder-less shirts, unless worn under a tailored jacket
• Clothes that have no form, like square-cut shirts, unless worn under a tailored jacket. This often results in an unflattering frumpy-looking portrait

If the stylist is someone you’ve used before and you like the way they style your hair, then having them do it right before the shoot can take some of the stress out of getting ready.  However, if you haven’t used them before it is recommended you either do your own hair, or have a test run with the stylist to make sure you like their work.

If the artist is someone you’ve used before and you like the way they do your makeup, then having them do it right before the shoot can take some of the stress out of getting ready.  However, if you haven’t used them before it is recommended you either do your own makeup, or have a test run with the artist to make sure you like their work.

For business & professional shoots, hair should be neat, professional, and how you normally wear it for work.  Avoid getting your hair cut right before the shoot.

Facial Hair – 

Men:  Shave the morning of the shoot. A 5 o clock shadow can’t be Photoshopped easily. Use cooling gel or aftershave to help with skin irritation.

Women:   Get rid of any unwanted hair a few days before your shoot. Clean up brows and upper lip hair.

For modeling or acting shoots, this varies from project to project, so it’s best to tak to me directly for these type of shoots.  Agents usually have specific requirements.

(yes, men too!)

Face – 

• Don’t do any extreme beauty regimens right before your shoot, like facial peels, tanning or extensive exfoliating. Your skin can look very irritated.
• A light and gentle exfoliation IS recommended for both men and women.
• The night before brush your lips with your toothbrush to help get rid of any dead skin.
• Make sure skin is clean, free of food particles.  Don’t worry about blemishes and temporary irritations, as these can be removed or reduced in PhotoShop.

Makeup – 

• Makeup should be natural and what you would normally wear to work during the day.  
• Avoid wearing strong colors of lipstick unless that’s what you normally wear.

I typically turn final product around 3-5 days after the shoot depending on how quickly a client choses their finals and how busy my retouching artist is.  Rush service is available for an additional fee.