I've been doing professional photography for years now and learned a few things along the way. I want to share some of those tips with you so that you can get the most out of your photoshoot experience.
Get on the same page about what you want from the shoot.
If you don't know what kind of photos you want at this point, book a consultancy call with your photographer! Take some time to discuss and think about what kind of images you desire: Lifestyle? Headshots? Portraits? Fashion? The more specific you become about what kind of photos you want, the better-prepared everyone will be on set.
Make sure there is enough time for me to capture what you want.
It may seem as though the actual photo taking won't take up too much time, and it won't, but the preparations for the photo shoot, hair and makeup, and the little rest (or nap) that I recommend afterwards might be worth carving out some time for.
Be prepared for the weather
If it's outside, make sure your outfits are versatile and look up the weather forecast beforehand. An extra tip if you are wearing multiple outfits is to start with the hardest/ most cumbersome outfit and end with something that you can carry out the rest of your day in.
Bring snacks if possible
Everyone always needs snacks! I would, however, recommend that it not be a messy snack or something that could transfer onto your clothes accidentally.
Bring along any props or items you want to be included in the photos.
Anything goes as long as it helps tell the story of who you are through images! For example: if I am taking photos in nature, then bring along some flowers or leaves from where we are shooting; if I am taking photos inside someone's home, then bring along a few items from their room, like books, pillows etc.
Get a good night's sleep.
It's really important to be well-rested for your photo shoot. You don't want to arrive at the studio looking tired or having dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep.
Don't forget to have fun! The best way to look good in photos is to be yourself.