Thank you for booking with me. Here’s everything you need to know.

I help with posing on the day of the photoshoot! But I strongly recommend you do a little bit of research on your own. Just a few short videos from TikTok, Reels, or Youtube can help you get comfortable with posing instructions on the day of the photoshoot.

One person that I’ve seen and recommend is David Suh on Instagram and TikTok.

Posing

A good outfit plays an important part in a good photo. It can determine the whole vibe of the photo, ranging from cute to cinematic, or even a luxury, editorial look.

Outfit Tips

One of the most crucial parts in an outfit is it’s shape and silhouette. A dress or suit has to first be properly fitted. It should also provide “visual interest” - provide lines, shapes, and diagonals for the audience to look at.

For suits, it has to be sharp and/or accessorized. Well-fitted (not boxy, you want to stray away from being a rectangle), a tie, pocket squares, etc.

The same goes for dresses - you also want to stay as far away from being a rectangle as much as you can. Dresses have more options:

You first build silhouette, shape, and lines with the type of dress and its length, and also its various anatomy:

  • Asymetric/double sleeved dresses

  • Sashes

  • Strapped/strappless

  • Different neckline heights

  • Cut-outs (waist, chest, stomach, etc.)

  • Backless Dresses

  • Various embellishments

  • Fit and Flare dresses (for that hourglass shape)

  • Body Con

  • Mini/midi/maxi and even longer lengths

Shape & Silhouette > Color

Another thing to take a good look at is texture. Texture is like the salt and pepper of photography - it continues on top of shape and silhouette by giving depth to the shapes we just talked about.

This is usually done two-fold: in the fabric itself, and through good lighting. In the photos above, the folds of the dresses make it so that there’s a back and forth between light and shadow (the salt and the pepper).

If the slivers of light and dark weren’t there, the dress would look flat and thus uninteresting.

Suits are pretty flat. This is once again what ties and accessories are for, to break up the uniformity. You can add some texture by wearing certain patterns, like a pinstripe shirt.

Dresses, once again, have a lot more options:

  • Woven textures, like boucles, crepes, and fabrics like satin

  • Different pleats and folds, like knife, box, inverted

  • Embroidery/Appliqué

  • Ruffles, frills

  • Ribbons, bows, laces

  • Fringes

Texture

Also, here are some sources for dresses I’ve seen (I’m no expert in this area, since I’m a dude unfortunately.)

  • House of CB

  • Club London

  • The Reformation

  • For Love and Lemons

  • Leau

  • Nana Jacqueline

  • Babyboo Fashion

  • OhPolly

  • Shushu/Tong

  • Zimmermann

  • Anthropologie

  • A lot are thrifted as well!

Here are some more examples:

What to Bring

Here’s a small checklist for what to bring:

  • Chamapagne (if popping champagne)

  • Towels (if popping champagne)

  • All outfits + shoes

  • Jewelery

  • Stole

  • Cap and gown

  • Additional shoes for walking

  • Flowers (try to wrap these yourself if possible)

  • Additional make up to touch up on

  • Blotting paper for sweat

  • Trinkets, plushies, small items that have meaning if you’re doing detail shots

  • A friend

Locations

It’s important to have your locations ready. Here is a small list of the most common locations on UT Campus.

Inside UT Tower

Tower Stairs, closed on weekends

Tower Steps

South Entrance & Plaza

Waggener Hall

Room 210, closed on weekends

Littlefield Fountain

Flowerbed and Fountain

Blue (Green) Doors

Disclaimer: In my opinion, I kinda think this spot is overrated a little bit LOL but it’s a UT classic

Goldsmith Courtyard

Warning: Mosquitoes in the summer

Gearing Hall

(Currently under construction)

Moody Bridge, GDC orange room, Jessen auditorium, Clock Knot, UTC Escalators, Parlin Window, GLT elevator, law school.

Note that places like Jessen require a reservation from music majors (or luck!).

Miscellaneous

There are a lot of good ideas that can make your instagram carousel stand out. From specific poses, oddball locations, props, detail shots, and more. Let me know what you’re thinking and I can see if we can make it work :)

When you are looking for inspo, I recommend looking at things that are either done on campus or looks like it can be done on campus. Try not to get any studio photoshoot portraits :)

Get Creative!