Hair, makeup & wardrobe
Preparation Guidelines
I leave the details of your hair, makeup, and wardrobe entirely up to you—they’re an expression of you. That said, here are some tips I’ve gathered from experience to help you prepare for our session.
General Tips
Glossy, shiny, and sparkly textures can be tricky to photograph. If you want to include these, let me know ahead of time so I can adjust the lighting.
Matte finishes, rich textures, and strong contrasts tend to work beautifully in black and white.
Slow, fluid movements are ideal—think of moving as if you’re in a slow-motion video. This creates dynamic and elegant results.
Hair
Anything goes. Long hair, short hair, natural, styled, or no hair at all—it’s all part of your story.
If you have long hair, I may suggest tying it up to highlight your shoulders and neckline.
Hats? Why not!? The bigger, the better.
Wet hair? Yes.
Bleached, dyed, or natural? All welcome.
Makeup
Black and white photography is forgiving and versatile, so no makeup is perfectly fine. If you choose to wear makeup, here are a few considerations:
Avoid makeup with SPF, as it reflects light and can create a silvery effect.
Think in terms of contrast: bright red lipstick or blush will translate to mid-grey tones in black and white.
Matte textures work best; shiny or sparkly makeup can produce unpredictable results.
Classic Hollywood Noir-inspired looks (e.g., dark lipstick, bold brows) often translate beautifully into black and white.
Some links you might find helpful:
Photographic Makeup for Black and White Photos
Makeup for Black And White Photo
Old Hollywood Black and White Makeup Tutorial of Merle Oberon | Troy Jensen Iconic Makeover
wardrobe
Your choice, entirely. However, if you’re looking for guidance:
Avoid bright red (maroon is ok), velvet, and busy patterns like plaid, stripes, florals, or camouflage unless we’ve planned for them in advance.
Opt for solid colors like black, navy, charcoal, white, pale pink, or baby blue.
Textured fabrics such as linen, cotton, denim, wool, and lace photograph exceptionally well.
Sheer fabrics, leather, and fur can add interesting depth to an image.
Shoes aren’t necessary—your comfort is key.