Oceanside, CA
Show Up Ready. Leave With Images You'll Actually Use.
This guide covers what to wear, what to bring, how to do your hair and makeup, what your session day looks like, and how to pose with confidence. Find your session type below and read the section that applies to you.
Find Your Session
01 / 06Every session type photographs differently because every session type is used differently. Read the card that matches what you booked, then move on to the Styling and Posing sections for the full detail.
Corporate, LinkedIn, Team & Bio Photos
Built to represent you in a professional context. Clean, consistent, and built to read well at thumbnail size.
- Solid colors over patterns or busy prints
- A blazer or structured layer reads as polished
- Avoid logos, text, or anything tied to a specific brand other than your employer's stated dress code
- 2 to 3 full outfit options
- Simple, minimal jewelry
- A lint roller and blotting sheets
Theatrical, Commercial & Self Tape Ready
Built for casting directors. The goal is to look like the most natural, accessible version of yourself across a few distinct types.
- Solid, well fitted tops in colors that suit your skin tone
- Bring options across a few ranges: warm and approachable, neutral and corporate, edgier or darker
- Skip logos, busy patterns, and distracting necklines
- 4 to 6 tops minimum, including layers you can add or remove
- Your current resume sizing in mind if you need a specific crop
Comp Cards, Agency Submissions & Test Shoots
Built to show range, proportion, and how clothing moves on you. Agencies want to see your body line clearly.
- Fitted, simple pieces that show your actual shape
- One clean, fitted look in a solid color is more useful than five busy outfits
- Bring structured shoes, not just sneakers
- A fitted top, fitted denim or trouser, and one elevated piece
- Swimwear if it applies to your target market
- Heels or a structured shoe for posture and line
Concept Driven, Fashion & Brand Storytelling
Built around a concept, mood, or story rather than a single flattering frame. More creative direction, more room to play.
- Bold, textured, or statement pieces are welcome here
- Color and shape can support a concept instead of just flattering the body
- Bring layers and accessories we can mix mid session
- Anything tied to the concept we discussed in pre production
- Accessories: hats, jewelry, scarves, sunglasses
- A second, more grounded look as a backup
Individuals, Couples, Family & Lifestyle
Built to feel like you, just well lit and well composed. The most relaxed of the five session types.
- Coordinate tones across the group rather than matching exactly
- Muted, solid colors photograph better than bright prints across a group
- Dress for the location: layers for outdoor, comfortable footwear
- One coordinated outfit per person, plus a backup layer
- Comfortable shoes if we're walking between locations
- Anything sentimental you'd like included
Styling & Color Guide
02 / 06These rules apply across every session type. The camera reads color and contrast differently than the mirror does, so a few small adjustments go a long way.
Colors That Photograph Well
Choose
- Solid colors and simple, soft textures
- Mid tones and jewel tones over neon or pastel
- Denim, which photographs well in nearly every setting
- Layers you can add or remove between frames
Avoid
- Busy patterns, small checks, or tight stripes
- Large visible logos or text
- Pure white or pure black as your only color, unless we've planned for it
- Anything brand new and untested, including shoes that aren't broken in
Five Staple Pieces Worth Owning
If you only build one small capsule for sessions, build it around these.
Tailored Blazer
Instantly reads as put together. Works for headshots, editorial layering, and standard portraits.
Well Fitted Denim
The most reliable bottom across every session type. Choose a dark or mid wash with no distressing.
Clean Crew Or V Neck
A simple top in cream, white, or black is the most versatile single garment you can bring.
Structured Layer
A cardigan, light jacket, or vest gives us a second look without a full outfit change.
One Statement Piece
A single bold accessory, jacket, or color moment for editorial or portfolio work.
Hair & Makeup
03 / 06Camera ready is not the same as evening ready. The goal is definition without shine and texture without flatness.
Makeup
- Matte or semi matte base. Heavy shimmer and glitter can read as shine or texture under studio light
- Set with a light powder, especially across the forehead, nose, and chin
- Define brows and lashes a little more than usual. Soft features can disappear in photographs
- For acting headshots and standard portraits, keep it natural and true to how you look day to day
- For model portfolio and editorial, a more defined glam is welcome. Bring a clean base and we'll build from there
- Bring blotting sheets for touch ups between looks
Hair
- Have it done the way you'd actually wear it, not a brand new style you haven't tested
- Avoid a fresh haircut the day of. Two to three days prior gives it time to settle
- Bring a small kit: bobby pins, a travel brush, and texture spray or pomade for touch ups
- For acting headshots, bring your hair as close to your everyday version as possible. Casting wants to recognize you in person
- For model portfolio and editorial, more restyling between looks is expected, so come with clean, healthy hair we can work with
- If color treated, schedule color at least one week out so it has time to settle and look natural under light
Day Of The Shoot
04 / 06Every session follows roughly the same shape. Times will shift depending on your package, but the order stays consistent.
Check In & Settle
Arrive with time to spare. We'll walk through the plan for the session, confirm looks and locations, and get you comfortable before the camera comes out.
Wardrobe & Light Check
First outfit goes on, hair and makeup get a final pass, and we dial in lighting on a test frame before we start shooting you.
The Session
This is the longest block. Expect direction throughout: small adjustments to chin, shoulders, and weight, plus posing prompts so you're never guessing what to do with your hands.
Quick Look Back
For most sessions, we'll pause to look at a few frames together on the back of the camera so you can see how things are translating and adjust if needed.
Delivery Timeline
You'll receive a gallery to review and select from, followed by your final retouched images. Turnaround time will be confirmed at booking.
Posing Guide
05 / 06You don't need to memorize these. I'll direct you through all of them in the moment, this is just so nothing feels like a surprise. Each diagram lists which session types it applies to most.
Chin Forward & Down
Lead with the chin slightly forward, then drop it. This sharpens the jawline and removes neck compression.
Shoulders At An Angle
Turn the shoulders about 45 degrees from the camera while the face stays toward the lens. Reads slimmer than square on.
Weight On The Back Foot
Shift weight onto the back leg and let the front foot rest lightly forward. Creates a natural bend instead of standing flat footed.
Hand On Hip, Elbow Out
One hand rests on the hip with the elbow pointed away from the body. Builds a triangle of negative space that flatters the waist.
Seated Lean Forward
From a seated position, lean the torso slightly toward the camera with elbows resting near the knees. Reads relaxed, not rigid.
Three Quarter Turn
Body angled away from camera, face turned back toward the lens. Adds dimension and is more forgiving than a flat, straight on pose.
Walking Motion
A single mid stride step with natural arm swing. Use sparingly, but it breaks up a session of static poses and reads as candid.
Crossed Arms, Soft Weight
Arms cross loosely below the chest, never gripping, with weight settled into one hip. Confident without looking closed off.
Bring Checklist
06 / 06A quick list to run through the night before. Pack everything in a garment bag so it stays wrinkle free on the way over.
Wardrobe
2 to 6 outfit options depending on session type, see your section above
One structured layer (blazer, cardigan, or jacket)
Backup shoes, broken in, not brand new
Minimal jewelry, kept simple unless this is an editorial concept
A lint roller and a small steamer or travel iron if anything packs wrinkled
Hair, Makeup & Extras
Blotting sheets and a small powder for touch ups
Travel brush, bobby pins, and texture spray or pomade
Water and a light snack, especially for longer sessions
Anything sentimental for standard portraits: rings, a jacket, a pet's leash
Reference images or concept notes if we discussed any in advance