Don't You Dare
SPRAY TANS & SELF-TANNER
We understand that having a tan can feel confidence-boosting. However, we strongly recommend avoiding spray tans, tinted lotions, and bronzers before your session.
Even when a tan looks even in person, professional cameras, especially under studio lighting and high-resolution imagery, tend to pick up streaking, patchiness, and uneven tones that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Spray tans can also photograph more orange or unnatural in color images.
Because of this, spray tan correction is not included in standard retouching.
If you choose to tan anyway, we will absolutely still photograph you—just keep in mind that any unevenness may remain visible in your final images.
Natural skin always photographs the most timeless, clean, and true to you.
PROPS & PERSONAL ITEMS
Sentimental jewelry is always welcome. If you’re considering bringing a prop, ask yourself:
“Will this still feel like me in 10 years?”
Timeless pieces, like a meaningful necklace, wedding band, or favorite watch, photograph beautifully and add depth without distraction.
We recommend avoiding:
Jerseys
Military apparel
Weapons
Sports equipment
Costume masks
Anything overly themed or costume-like
The focus of your session is you, not the object.
That said, we are always open to intentional pieces that feel aligned with your story.
For Men’s Sessions
Items like construction hats, suspenders, or tools of your trade can work well, as long as they feel authentic, not performative.
Simple. Intentional. Personal.
ALCOHOL + DRUGS
To ensure the best experience and results, we strongly recommend avoiding alcohol the night before your session.
We do offer a light beverage option (champagne, wine, or beer) during hair and makeup to help you relax and settle into the experience. This is limited to one drink.
Arriving clear, present, and fully in your body allows us to create images that feel authentic, connected, and truly reflective of you.
For safety, professionalism, and consent-based work, we do not photograph clients who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If we suspect impairment at any point, we reserve the right to end or reschedule the session, and your deposit will be forfeited.
This policy is in place to protect both you and the integrity of the experience we create together.
AVOID NEW HAIRCUTS OR COLOR RIGHT BEFORE YOUR SESSION
Now isn’t the time to experiment with a completely new look.
If you’re planning a haircut or color refresh, we recommend scheduling it about one week in advance so it has time to settle naturally. Fresh cuts and color can sometimes feel or photograph differently than expected right away.
We want you walking into your session feeling like your most confident, aligned self, not adjusting to something unfamiliar.
The goal is you, just refined, not reinvented.
MINDSET: HOW YOU TALK ABOUT YOURSELF MATTERS
Energy translates in photographs.
When you walk into your session focused on what you love about yourself, that confidence shows up in a powerful, natural way on camera. We encourage you to lean into what you adore, your legs, your shoulders, your smile, your strength.
At the same time, we understand that everyone has areas that feel more vulnerable. If there’s something you feel self-conscious about, you’re welcome to share it with us in a grounded way:
“I love my ___, and I feel a little more sensitive about my ___.”
This allows us to support you without anchoring the experience in self-criticism.
We will always be mindful of your sensitivities, while also gently guiding you into new perspectives, creating images that may help you see yourself differently.
Our goal isn’t to hide you.
It’s to help you appreciate yourself more fully.