How to Prepare for Your Photoshoot - Hands-On Advice from Your Dubai Family Photographer
Why it matters?
If you’ve got a family or couple session coming up and you’re starting to think, “We’ll sort everything the day before,” - this post is for you. Whether it’s your first photoshoot or your fifth, trust me: I’ve been on both sides of the camera, and I’ve learned that the magic lies in the prep.
I think preparation is so important. You can have the dream location, the perfect outfit, and the best light, but if you’re stressed, rushing, or discovering 5 minutes before you have to leave that your child’s t-shirt doesn’t fit perfectly anymore (true story, coming up), you’ll spend more time worrying and fixing things than enjoying the shoot.
These aren’t your typical “bring snacks and water” tips. These are hands-on, tried-and-tested lessons that I’ve learned through both photographing families and being photographed myself and I share them with the firm belief that you can’t know what you don’t know. It all comes with experience, and I’m passing mine on so you can skip the little mishaps and enjoy every minute of your session.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Don’t think you have all the time in the world. Even if your session was booked weeks in advance, time has a funny way of sprinting right past us. The day before always arrives faster than you think.
Here I’ll assume that you’ve already gone through my session guides, used the styling tips and online styling tool, and chosen everything for your shoot. The steps below are what to do once everything is ready.
I advise you to have everything prepared and ready at least two days ahead. That includes clothes, accessories, shoes (quite important as the wrong colour of shoes can break an otherwise perfect shot) and your mindset. The smoother the start, the more relaxed and natural your photos will feel.
To help yourself with all this, just make a list.
If you’re anything like me and usually think, “I don’t need a list, I’ll remember everything,” …well, let’s be honest, we rarely do. I suggest shifting that mindset and letting the list help you out. Write down everything you need to take and tick it off as you go. The more family members there are, the greater the need from the list.
True story: A couple of months ago, I was going for a location shoot and thought I’d grab an extra dress “just in case.” Guess what? The moment I got in the car, I realised the dress was still hanging nicely at home, so my daughter had to come rushing to the parking lot with the dress - a delay that could’ve been completely avoided… if I’d just used a list.
Outfits - Check Everything Twice (Yes, Everything!)
This is where most last-minute chaos happens. Based on my experience, here’s what I suggest:
Check every single piece you plan to wear. Iron, inspect for marks, and most importantly, make sure it still fits.
True story: I once had quickly selected what in my mind was the perfect long-sleeve t-shirt for my son. Gorgeous colour. Except…it turned out it’s too small when he wore it on the day. Easy fix was to roll up the sleeves so he didn’t look like he’d borrowed it from someone smaller, but this could have been avoided, had we tried it out first. Lesson learned.Iron everyone’s outfits in advance. Hang them, ready to go.
Try your dress on again. Do you need specific underwear? Are straps showing? Is the neckline lower than you remembered? Make sure everything looks and feels perfect to you from the start and don’t rely on Photoshop to fix it.
Hair - Test Your Selected Hairstyle Before the Big Day
If you’re planning something different from your usual hairstyle, test it first. A quick trial run will save you stress later. Don’t be like me when I realised on the morning of our shoot in Wat Arun, Bangkok, that my hair was not long enough for the bun I wanted to make.
If you’re going to the hairdresser, plan well and allow extra time for delays (because they do happen, but the sun doesn’t wait for anyone).
If a hairdresser is coming to your home, tell them your absolute cut-off time and stick to it.
And here’s a personal one: if you usually wear your hair up, don’t suddenly feel the pressure to wear it down because “that’s what people do.” I don’t like my hair open - it gets in my way and stresses me out. Yes, it’s nice to have rolling curls and feel special, but if it will add stress, skip them. Comfort and peace of mind always win, plus a tied hair is always a win when the desert wind is too strong.
Accessories - Small but Mighty
I love accessories and believe that they add a lot of charm and character to a shoot. Choose your accessories ahead of time - select them based on the colours you will wear and on the location. I like big hoops… but they and open hair in the wind? Disaster waiting to happen.
If your shoot location is windy (hello desert sessions), go for smaller earrings or studs. Statement necklaces or bracelets can add a touch of character, if you wish.
The Trip - Always Leave Early
I can’t say this enough: leave earlier than you think you need to. GPS might say 25 minutes to the location. Leave 45 earlier, not 25. You might be stuck in unexpected traffic, need to fuel the car, grab coffee or just need a minute to breathe before we start. Arriving relaxed and unhurried makes all the difference in how you feel (and look!) once the camera comes out.
Here’s what I’ve learned, both behind and in front of the camera:
Prep early. We don’t want last-minute stress to ruin your experience.
Double-check outfits - fit, comfort, and small details matter.
Stick to hairstyles you feel confident and comfortable in.
Pick practical accessories - choose them considering the colours, location and style.
Leave early - no one looks their best when they’ve been worrying for 30 minutes if they will make it on time and then had to sprint from the car.
And yes, make the list. It’s your secret weapon against forgotten outfits and parking-lot rescues.