How to Prepare for Your Portrait Session: A Complete UK Guide

Most people think about what to wear right before their portrait session and not much else. The sessions that go smoothly — where the photographs look effortless — are usually the ones where someone thought ahead about a few practical things. This is a straightforward preparation guide that applies whether you are booking headshots, a family session, a personal brand shoot, or a maternity portrait.

Communicate with your photographer before the day

The single most useful thing you can do before a portrait session is have a brief conversation with your photographer about what you want. Photographers cannot read minds. If you hate full-length shots, say so. If you have a feature you are self-conscious about, mention it — a good photographer will adjust angles without drawing attention to it. If you have a particular image from their portfolio that you love the feel of, share it.

The information that matters: what the images are for (website, social media, personal use, gifts), how camera-confident you are, any relevant physical considerations, and any locations or visual references you have in mind. Ten minutes of messaging before the session is worth an hour of post-production adjustment during editing.

Choosing what to wear

Solid colours, muted tones, and textures read well on camera. Avoid logos, slogans, and small busy patterns — fine stripes, checks, and intricate prints can create visual noise in photographs that is not apparent to the eye. High-contrast combinations, such as a very white top with very dark trousers, can make exposure balancing harder.

For family sessions, aim for colour coordination rather than identical outfits. Choose a palette of two or three tones that work together and let each person express their character within it. Match the aesthetic to the setting: earthy tones work beautifully outdoors; cleaner, cooler tones may suit a more contemporary or urban look.

Bring more options than you think you need. It is easy to choose from two looks on the day and discard the third. It is frustrating to wish you had brought the outfit you left behind. For longer sessions or those requiring varied output, having a change of clothes is genuinely useful.

Hair and grooming

For headshots and portrait sessions where your face is the subject: have a haircut at least a week before, not the day before. Fresh cuts sometimes look slightly abrupt. If you colour your hair, allow time for the colour to settle a day or two after treatment.

For outdoor sessions, consider that wind and movement are factors. If you prefer a polished appearance, bring what you need to refresh during the session rather than relying on staying perfect throughout. Many photographers build short pauses into longer sessions for exactly this reason.

On the day: practical preparation

• ◆Arrive well-rested. Tired eyes are difficult to correct in editing and they show particularly in headshots.
• ◆Eat beforehand and bring water. Sessions where someone is hungry or dehydrated move more slowly and produce more tension in expressions.
• ◆Arrive a few minutes early to settle. The first five minutes of any portrait session are usually the most stiff — give yourself room to arrive and decompress before shooting starts.
• ◆Bring any accessories you plan to wear, and a neutral backup version of your outfit in case of indecision.
• ◆For family sessions with children: build in a realistic timeline with buffer for unpredictability.
• ◆Turn your phone to silent and ideally hand it to someone else for the session duration.

Mental preparation

Most people who describe themselves as unphotogenic have simply had inadequate photographers or unflattering conditions. Professional portrait photography is a managed process — light, angle, expression, and timing are all within the photographer's control. Your job is to show up and engage with the process; their job is to find what works for you.

If you are nervous, say so. Photographers who work regularly with general members of the public rather than professional models are experienced at working with self-consciousness and will take their time with direction without making you feel awkward about needing it.