10 Things to Bring to Your Photoshoot | Ally Whitlock

Ally Whitlock
3 min readDec 16, 2020

Alongside ‘ What should I wear?’ another question frequently asked by clients ahead of their photoshoot is; “what do I need to bring with me?”. There are a few key items that you may find useful to have with you whilst you are being photographed. So, here is my list of 10 things to bring to your photoshoot.

This list in inclusive for any shoot; Personal Branding, Fitness Brand, portrait or headshot.

1. Hairbrush or comb

And if your hair is long, a selection of hairbands & grips & some hairspray. Messy & flyaway hair can spoil an otherwise perfect photograph. Hairbands & grips allow you to change your hairstyle mid-shoot & hairspray can be a lifesaver for those little strands that just won’t do what they are told!

2. Translucent or matt powder

A matt base helps to keep your skin looking smooth, even & shine-free whilst finishing with a translucent powder removes the shine on your forehead, nose & chin.

Makeup doesn’t just apply to women. Men can often have very shiny faces & foreheads, a little makeup or powder on the face can eliminate this problem.

3. Lipstick &/or Vasaline

Dry lips in photos are not a good look! Vasaline reduces dryness whilst lipstick draws attention to & defines your lips.

A little Vasaline is also great in an emergency for smoothing errant hairs.

4. Compact Mirror

Essential for shoots on location that may not have washroom facilities for you to check your appearance before you pose in front of the camera.

5. Tissues &/or wipes

Self-explanatory I think!

6. A spare shirt or top

Just in case you spill your morning coffee… A spare shirt takes up very little space but could be a lifesaver.

Of course, if you are having a personal branding photoshoot or a premium headshot remember to bring your selection of pre-selected outfits with you, not forgetting the shoes!

7. Accessories

Hats, scarves, jackets sunglasses, jewelry… Anything that will bring a little personality to your photos & enable us to create a different look & feel to your images.

8. Props

Remember to bring any props you may need for the photos on your shot list. For example a laptop, notebook & pen, coffee mug & water bottle.

9. A bottle of water

It’s important to keep yourself hydrated during the shoot.

10. Face mask or covering & anti-bacterial hand gel

In a time of Covid these should perhaps be number one on your list!

I hope this list of 10 things to bring to your photoshoot helps you as you prepare to be photographed. Let me know if there’s anything you think should be added to the list.

Originally published at https://allywhitlock.com on December 16, 2020.

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Ally Whitlock

I’m Ally, photographer & entrepreneur based in Croydon, South London. I have a love of all things photography, coffee, gin, books, running & the great outdoors.