3 Mistakes Girls Make Before a Photo Shoot: How Not to Ruin Your Shoot

Mistake 1: Brand-new clothes

It sounds paradoxical, since a photo shoot is the perfect excuse to buy that luxurious evening gown, a stunning corset, or a vibrant suit. But an item bought in a rush or one you’ve never worn before the shoot is a huge risk.

• In front of the camera, you’ll need to move around, sit down, raise your arms, and change poses. Once on set, you might suddenly discover that your new dress is painfully itchy, the corset makes it hard to breathe, the skirt rides up with every step, and the bold color that looked great in the fitting room appears too overwhelming on camera.
  
• Instead of relaxing and getting into the vibe, you’ll be constantly adjusting your clothes and worrying about how you look in them. If the outfit ends up not fitting well, the entire shoot is a failure.
  

If you really want to be photographed in a new outfit, be sure to wear it around the house for at least a couple of hours. Do some squats, move around in front of the mirror. You need to get comfortable with the outfit and feel confident about every seam.

Mistake 2: Experimenting with beauty routines, cosmetic treatments, and changing your look

The urge to refresh your skin, get a facial, try a new cream, or drastically change your hair color right before a photo shoot — it’s a classic scenario that throws a wrench in the plans of dozens of girls.

• Any new beauty treatment puts stress on the body. You’ve probably heard (or maybe even experienced firsthand) stories where a girl does a “mild” exfoliation or tries a face mask the day before a photo shoot, only to wake up the next morning with a severe allergic reaction, redness, flaking, or bruises that can’t be covered up even with heavy professional makeup.
  
• A ruined mood, panic, and an emergency rescheduling or cancellation of the shoot.

No new treatments or harsh skincare at least a week before the photo shoot. Just tried-and-true basic moisturizing, a good night’s sleep, and your usual skincare routine. Save all experiments for after you have the photos in hand.

Mistake 3: The “A-Student Syndrome” and the Quest to Be “Perfect”

Many people treat a photo shoot like a grueling exam where you have to give it 200%, freeze in the most difficult pose, and—heaven forbid—make a “wrong” move.

If going to a shoot turns into a grueling ordeal that drains all your strength, energy, and resources—you’re definitely doing something wrong. Mental tension instantly shows on your face and body: your gaze becomes glassy, your shoulders rise up to your ears, and your smile looks forced.

The result is extreme mental exhaustion and stiff, forced shots.

Change your attitude toward the process. The point of a photo shoot is to have a good time, express yourself, and enjoy the moment.

A good photo shoot is like a fun, enjoyable date. You go to a beautiful place, chat, drink coffee, listen to your favorite music, move at your own pace, and live in the moment. By the end of the shoot, you should feel nothing but pleasant physical tiredness—like after a good walk — and a mental lift.