How to Prepare for a Photoshoot

with Carly and Samantha

Photoshoots are a fantastic way to boost your self-confidence and capture your pole and aerials journey moments, think you are not at a high enough level for your photoshoot? Did you know the best photos are simple beginner skills? So yes anyone is ready for their first photo shoot. So you get the most out of your time we have made a list of tips for you to plan for your upcoming photo shoot.

You can’t have a photo shoot without booking it! Save money to pay for it or you may be able to put it on a payment plan if needed, we have the below tips for you while booking the shoot.

• Look at the inclusions of how many photos you receive edited back after the shoot
• Book a spot back to back with a friend so you can share an hour and get a break between looks
• Book a time you can make sure you can get there early and ready
• Save in your calendar with a reminder so you don’t forget

PLAN YOUR POSES

The most important part of your photoshoot is what you will capture! So you utilise your time the best and can get the best images you need to plan the poses and practice them! Think about things that will create nice lines and shapes which are generally the easy things harder tricks sometimes do not make the best photos.

1. Create a list of the poses/moves you would like to capture
   • You could write this down with stick figures
   • Create a pinterest/instagram collection of examples
2. Place them in an order you could combine moves together
   • Think about different shapes you can do in moves you already have planned
3. Practice your moves by holding them for at least 10 seconds and with a little spin as that is the best way to capture
   • Film yourself to see the shapes and discover any others you think you would like to capture, also practice your face so it looks nice for a photo, try to relax it
   • Practice for the time length of your photoshoot to build up your stamina, it is hard work!
   • Use heels in practice if you plan to wear them or anything else you are not used to

Check out our PhysiPole Studios Pinterest account for our photoshoot ideas

PLAN YOUR LOOK

Have an idea of what look you would like to go for considering the background of the photoshoot or the type of photoshoot you have booked, from looking at your sample pose photos you will get an idea of what type of hair, costume etc. you would like. It is a good idea two plan two outfits that you can quickly change into during the shoot.

1. Purchase your outfit to arrive in plenty of time for your booked shoot to practice and make sure it works, some ideas for outfits
   • Enviro Co
   • PhysiPole Merchandise
   • Lunalae 
   • Rarr Designs
2. Book your tan – optional. Photos can make you appear paler than usual. A tan isn’t necessary,
   however, a spray tan will even your skin tone, define muscles slightly more and you will
   stand out more in the image
   • You could also tan at home, something like Le Tan 30min Express Tan mousse & it only takes 2 hours to set.
   • If you are doing pole and never tanned before complete a test run to see how it affects your grip.
3. Hair removal – Make sure you wax/shave/laser before getting a tan, if getting a tan.
4. Purchase Make-up if needed or book – You can do this yourself or have it done professionally.
   • Work your foundation to match your tan, so you will not have a different coloured face
   • Avoid high SPF in the foundation as it can cause flashback
   • Have it more than day makeup to appear better in photos
5. Book hair to be done or do it yourself
   • Think about how your hair will affect tricks
   • Think about how it will look upside down
6. Paint nails / toes – optional
7. Drink plenty of water in the lead up to your shoot to keep your skin hydrated.

On the day of the shoot be planned and prepared, enjoy the experience, try not to be nervous if you have prepped you will love the results!

1. Pack your outfits required for the shoot, any accessories, extra hairpins, baby wipes, grip etc.
2. Arrive with your hair and makeup ready. If you’ve tanned, stay out of the sun to avoid sunburn.
3. Arrive 10 minutes early to warm up and stretch especially if you have flexi tricks.
4. Start with the easiest trick you have – it can boost your ego especially if you’re nervous. Simple tricks that you will feel comfortable to set yourself up and be confident for the rest of the shoot.
5. Don’t get stuck on one thing– you might end up using all your time on that trick. Just circle your back to it if you have time in the end.
6. Ask questions to photographer and don’t be worried about time. You can ask if you need a break but be courteous of their time as well.
7. Make sure to point your feet! You will hate it if you have a nice photo but a flexed foot.
8. Don’t let it be stressful, relax your face while you do skills and enjoy the process.

You will be waiting excitedly to get your shots back your photographer will generally give you a rough timeframe of when to get the images back if they have not the average wait time is 4-6 weeks. The photos will be sent to students in timeframe order so if you start to hear of others receiving their photos back they will have been before your scheduled time.

Once you have your photos you will now have the hard choice of picking ones to be edited, if you want more photos than what your original package offered contact the photographer to receive a price for additional edits. It is common courtesy to not share unedited images without consent from the photographer and to tag the photographer for credit of any image shared.

Keep your photos in a folder so when you start to get a collection you can find them easily and compare the progress of your aerials journey.

Listen to the Let’s Get PhysiPole Podcast Episode to hear all these tips from Carly and Samantha

How to prepare for a photoshoot by Samantha and Carly.