1. What to wear to a photoshoot?
Let’s start with the “what not to do” stuff, because if you avoid these things, you’re already set for success.
Big things to avoid are text, characters, logos, and strong patterns because these things will draw the viewer’s eye away from the faces in the image. If you’re planning a family photoshoot, remember that everyone needs to be able to move, to sit down comfortably on the ground and to play. If you’re in the woods or the countryside, white jeans are not a good idea – easy to get stained by mud.
Avoid flip-flops by any means, except when you're on a beach!
One absolute no-no is tight repetitive patterns like high contrast pinstripes, herringbone, houndstooth, and fine checks that can cause moiré effect when odd stripes and patterns appear in images.
Beware of silks, satins and other shiny fabrics — they’ll reflect light and shimmer every time you move your body.
Let's nail down "what to do":
- Wear clothes that fit. If you are not confident with your stomach, for men, wear shirts that are not too tight; for women, wear something with layers or ruffles that can cover it well.
- Wear rich jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red, amethyst purple, turquoise, and topaz yellow because cameras "love" them;
- The key is coordination, not matching. In other words, don’t put everyone in white shirts and blue jeans. Apart from the fact that this is visually boring, it’s outdated;
- Bearing this in mind, choose a palette that you like, then put together outfits that have elements of that palette. Keeping within three colors, maybe push it to four, but definitely no more;
- For women, an extra coat of mascara will make your lashes appear longer and fuller. Lip gloss will add sparkle. Avoid frosted lip colors, as they can give the illusion that you’re not wearing any lip color;
- Last but not least, hands are very important in photographs, so make sure nails are neat and tidy.
2. When is the best time for a photoshoot?
Theoretically, the golden hour (1 hour before sunset and 1 hour after sunrise) is the best time of the day for a photoshoot. However, as long as the sun is not harsh and hit directly your face making you squint, overcast skies can create a moody tone for outdoor photographs too.
3. Where to take outdoor photoshoots in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
I love Albuquerque for its richness of natural beauty. There are lots of places ideal for photoshoots in this city. If you love urban vibes, we can go downtown. If you love unique indigenous culture, Old Town is a good place for it. If you love nature, we can go to Sandia Crest High Desert, or Rio Grande River, etc. Honestly, I believe photography is an art that can help create amazing pictures right in your backyard. I'd also be willing to travel out of ABQ (extra charge is negotiable).
4. What packages do I offer?
Mini sessions ($200): 2 subjects, a few preps, 20 minutes. You will receive 10 high-quality pictures for posting on social media and you can pick 2 out of them for printing on big-sized canvas.
Grande sessions ($400): less than 7 subjects, 40 minutes. You will receive 15 high-quality pictures for posting on social media and you can pick 3 out of them for printing on big-sized canvas.
Trenta sessions ($700): less than 10 subjects, 60 minutes. You will receive 30 high-quality pictures for posting on social media and you can pick 5 out of them for printing on big-sized canvas.
For detailed inquiries, please contact me then we can discuss more.
5. How to make payments?
Payments would be session fees + New Mexico tax (7.87%). You can pay with cash in person or through Zelle and Venmo. $100 booking fee is required after we agree on the time and location. The rest of the payment should be completed ideally before/on the day of the photoshoot. I won't deliver finished pictures until I receive full payments.