8 Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Yoga (or Any!) Professional Photoshoot
By Sandi MoynihanCongrats, you did it! You finally booked your first-ever professional yoga photoshoot! So… now what?As a seasoned professional yoga photographer (you’ve probably seen my work on Yoga Heights channels!) and an active yogi and a yoga teacher, let me be the first to tell you that nine out of ten clients who reach out to book a photo session with me were exactly in your shoes before stepping in front of the camera. You are not alone!So, to help assuage your worries (and selfishly promote my upcoming Fall 2018 Fitness Mini Photo Sessions, there’s still lots available!), I’ve put together a list of my top eight tips to ease your worries and help you get the most out of your upcoming fitness (or really any) photoshoot:1) Research your photographer This probably goes without saying, but make sure to do lots of research about your photographer before booking them. You should be a big fan of their shooting/editing style, typical shooting locations and generally want to replicate the images you see on their website/Facebook page.
Pro tip: Asking a photographer to change his/her style to fit into your creative vision might result in a frustrating session for both you and the photographer. If that’s the case, consider cancelling your shoot ASAP and finding a different photographer. I guarantee you will both be happier this way!
2) Send your photographer a list of must-capture poses and shots
I always find it immensely helpful when my clients come to me with a specific vision for their shoot or, at the very least, have a list of must-capture poses/shots. Not only does this help my clients consider their goals for the photoshoot, but it also helps me to understand their expectations and flag anything that might not be possible in the confines of our time together.3) Schedule a pre-shoot phone call
Particularly if this is your first professional photoshoot or the first time you’ve worked with a particular photographer, I highly suggest asking him/her for a short, pre-shoot phone call to discuss any last-minute questions you might have before the shoot day. It is also a nice way to establish a rapport with your photographer, learn about your shooting location, discuss weather concerns, learn about any props you need to bring or generally ease your mind about the overall process.4) Choose your clothing mindfullyWe all love those baggy sweatpants and torn up jeans, but a photo shoot isn’t the time to wear them. Instead, opt for clothes that make you look and feel a little spiffy. I’m not talking about ball gowns and tuxes here, but think about wearing things that complement each other, to include any accessories like shoes and jewelry.
Generally, you should also avoid large logos, horizontal stripes and crazy patterns. Those never photograph well! If you are taking photos as a group, it also looks great to have everyone in your party dressed in a complimentary color palette, but not dressed identically.5) Ladies, do your hair/makeup; Gents, do some manscapingLadies, even if you aren’t a fan of doing your hair and wearing makeup on a daily basis (I’m really not!), seriously consider breaking your normal routine for your photoshoot. When it comes to hair, don’t try to do anything *too* fancy, but go for a nice, polished look. For makeup, aim for something that enhances your features, but still looks like you. At a bare minimum, make sure you powder your face before the shoot to eliminate any unwanted shine!Gents, before your shoot, make sure to comb your hair, wash your face to eliminate any shine and trim your facial hair so it looks how you’d like it to.6) Come well rested, dressed, stretched(!) & ready to go
Generally, when I’m with my clients, we have a limited amount of time together and I arrive ready to start shooting immediately. I would hate to have to pause the shoot so a client could go to the bathroom, warm up, grab a snack, forgot something, etc., ultimately eating away at time they paid for with their hard-earned money. I also cannot stress enough how important it is that all my fitness clients show up stretched so they can easily move into any and all postures during the shoot.
Pro tip: Do a morning workout/yoga practice before you get ready for the shoot to ensure your body is all warmed up!
7) Be on time!I’m very punctual with my photo sessions, as are most photographers. Sometimes we have sessions scheduled back-to-back. Sometimes we are working with natural light and trying to capture your photos during “golden hour.” Help us help you look as fabulous as possible (and not feel rushed during the shoot) and be on time.
Pro tip: If you are going to be late, please let your photographer know so he/she can plan on ways to still make your session a success!
8) Be ready to have fun!More than anything, this session is all about you! Get ready to have a good time and be in your element!Want some more tips? Check out this other awesome article about yoga photography on the Journey Junkie!
Sandi Moynihan is at RYT 200 and Yoga Heights’ in-house photographer, videographer, and substitute instructor! When she’s not at Yoga Heights, you can spot her drinking craft brews with her husband, trying to beat her Flywheel record and hanging out with her two calico kitties. You can learn more about Sandi and check out her work at www.sandimoynihan.com.