Hart 2 Hart Photography Sitting Suggestions

Suggestions For A Better Sitting

Here are some suggestions for a better sitting. Please read these carefully. If you have any questions,
please call me at 641-933-4504. Thank you, Rhonda Hartman, photographer.

To print a checklist for your sitting please choose one of the following:
Family or Senior Checklist
Wedding Checklist

Clothing

Simple, classic outfits are best, as they will not date your portrait. Clothing should not dominate or take the attention away from the people in the portrait. Clothing with light and dark stripes, big prints or a large design on the front are not recommended. Clothing with small patterns, or medium shades of blue, red, brown, mauve, green, purple or gray are very good. These photograph well on most everyone.

In portraits with several people, light clothing will "stand out" while navy or black will show very dark, and almost disappear in most background settings. With families, matching your clothing is the best option. This doesn't mean matching shirts, ladies should wear a feminine shirt and the men should wear a guy shirt. Please check your clothing to make sure that all buttons, belts and accessories are all accounted for. Remember, your clothing should be a reflection of your personality, not steal the show. Call me for a clothing consultation; I can give you some suggestions that will make it easier for you to decide.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS:
Please BE SURE to agree with your parents on clothing and hairstyles so that you will all be pleased. Bring YOUR favorite outfit and those that MOM likes too, and we will do them BOTH.

Makeup, Beards, and Hair

Be sure hair is clean and groomed in a style that you like. What you see in the mirror is what the camera also sees. PLEASE DO NOT experiment with a new hairstyle or color for your sitting!
Men should have a fresh shave, as there is no way to remove a "five o'clock shadow". Beards or mustaches are great but should be neatly trimmed.
Even with the men, I highly recommend allowing us, or you, to cover blemishes at the studio just prior to taking your portraits. Others can be fixed in retouch at the developing stage. If you do have a skin problem, I can advise you when you order if this will be necessary.
Ladies, please wear your normal amount of makeup, accentuating A LITTLE on the eyes. Lip-gloss will help your lips from looking dry. And a little powder will help avoid an oily appearance.

Glasses

If you always wear glasses, then you should wear them in your portraits. HOWEVER, since light glares on the lenses are hard to prevent, please have the lenses removed or barrow a pair of empty frames from your eye doctor. Additional artwork will be required to remove the glare and is expensive to have done. This expense will be eliminated by barrowing a pair of empty frames. Photo-gray (lenses that go dark in the sun) must be removed prior to the sitting. The best option, GET EMPTY FRAMES!

The Great Outdoors

I do my best to take those wonderful outdoor portraits that you want, but obviously I cannot control the weather conditions. We cannot be responsible for unforeseen problems caused by wind, heat, cold or sunspots. However, these are usually minor and can be retouched for a slight extra charge. If outdoor portraits are a must, and conditions are beyond retouch capabilities, I will do my best to find a reschedule date that works for us both.

Pets

I love to take pictures of you with your pet, but you MUST have someone along to keep the pet under control. No pet can be left unattended inside or outside.

Expressions

Facial expression is the most important thing to your portrait. It is urgent that you get real, natural expressions. Almost everyone is a little nervous, that is to be expected. But if you just be yourself and let your personality flow through, your portraits will be GREAT.

VERY IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS BRINGING IN CHILDREN:
It is urgent that you DO NOT prompt your children for days prior to the sitting to be sure and "smile, smile, smile". This will create fake, unnatural smiles. It is usually no problem to get a "real" smile from children that have not been prompted by their parents to smile. DON'T FORGET TO BRING THEIR FAVORITE TOYS for a one of a kind portrait that truly is theirs alone and looks like no one elses!!!

ALSO FOR PARENTS COMING WITH SENIORS:
If I feel that your senior will be more comfortable with you away from where we are photographing, PLEASE do not be offended if I ask you to leave for a while. I am a mother also, and I know the temptation to keep giving our "two-cents" on their hair, collar, smile or head positioning. It will cause nervousness for everyone. So please leave this decision up to me to make. Thank you in advance for this one.

Sitting Fees

Must be paid on the day of the sitting. A deposit is required when you pick up your previews for viewing, and will be applied toward your proof album and your order when you return them.

Wedding Suggestions

Here are some suggestions for better wedding portraits. If you have any questions,
Please call me at 641-933-4504 Thank you, Rhonda Hartman, photographer.

To print a checklist for your sitting please choose one of the following:
Family or Senior Checklist
Wedding Checklist

Arrival Time

This is the most important suggestion I can give; please be ready at the scheduled time for your wedding portraits to begin. Also make sure that your parents, grandparents, siblings and your wedding party (this includes the Ushers and Small Children) know the proper time to be ready. It will be very heartbreaking if someone important in your life did not know this and miss out on being in your wedding pictures. If I am not able to start on time, then I may not be able to get those one of a kind portraits that I know you will want.

Hair, Beards and Make-up

What you see in the mirror is what the camera also sees. PLEASE DO NOT experiment with a new hairstyle or color for the day of your wedding! If possible, try these out ahead of time.

The Great Outdoors

I do my best to take those wonderful outdoor portraits that you want, but obviously I cannot control the weather conditions. We cannot be responsible for unforeseen problems caused by wind, heat, cold or sunspots. If outdoor portraits are a must but conditions are beyond retouch capabilities, they can be done at your risk.

Here is one last reminder from me; PLEASE let everyone that needs to know these suggestions, know them. I have yet to be involved in a wedding that everyone has known all of them. I hope this will help you in preparing for your wedding day portraits. I know there is a lot to think about, so share some of this responsibility with someone that is very responsible, perhaps a favorite aunt or close friend.

Now take a deep breath, it is going to be wonderful!

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