How to Prepare for Your Appointment at a Retail Photography Studio

I work at a branch of one of the most popular retail photography studios in the United States. In the past years of my employment, the most comment misconception of customers is how to properly prepare yourself and/or your family for their appointment. I've put together a list of things to remember and consider before and during your appointment.

Appointments vs Walk-ins
Most retail photography establishments will tell you that an appointment is strongly recommended, but not required. While this is true, walk-ins disturb the appointments people have already made with the store in advance. When booking directly through the store, appointments are made based on how many appointments are already made versus the number of people working at the studio that day. If a walk-in customer shows up when three employees are working in the studio and three appointments are booked, you will have to wait. A lot of times this is not a good idea with infants and toddlers. Even younger children are bothered by waiting for any amount of time. To avoid the wait and frustration before your session please book an appointment!
Also, coming very late for an appointment negates the purpose of having an appointment. Make sure to show up on time. If you know you're going to be more than 15 minutes late, call the studio to inform them. They will either allow you to come in late or schedule your appointment for a later time. Late-comers also contribute to wait time for other appointments who are on time.

Backgrounds
Before going into the studio, you will want to know what background options are available to you so you can better choose your outfits. Most retail studios have a central website you can visit to view all the background options. Print out the samples given on the website or jot down the names of the backgrounds you like so you can take that to the studio with you. Due to the nature of retail photography, some backgrounds are damaged or otherwise unavailable to use at certain location. You always want to call the studio directly before your appointment to check if the backgrounds you prefer are available. If you've made your appointment through the central 1-800 booking number, please keep in mind that these operators have little to no knowledge about your particular studio-even if you have already discussed options with them. Printing and checking the status of backgrounds will ensure that your appointment runs smoothly and your satisfaction at the studio.

Wardrobe Selection
Now that you've seen the background choices, choose your clothing accordingly. Try to wear solid colored shirts in the same color or a color scheme. I suggest a triadic color scheme (refer to picture one: colors found equidistant from each other on the color wheel) for families as it makes for a visually pleasing portrait.
Stay away from strong patterns and floral prints that will distract from the overall focus or the portrait and are usually unflattering on most people. Children's clothing with a slight pattern is fine as long as it does not clash with other colors in the photograph.
Remember to wear appropriate shoes! Most studios have certain types of shots they're required to take whether you're wearing dress shoes or sandals with your suit. You may not think it's an important detail, but you will be disappointed if your favorite pose prominently displays your dirty sneakers.

Hair Preperation
Yes, there needs to be a section for hair preparation. Not because of the style of hair, but because of the availability, or unavailability, of hair products in studios. Unless you're going to a studio that promotes having a hair and makeup salon, you're probably not going to find any hair products in your studio when you arrive. Remember to bring your own hairspray, hair gel, combs, brushes, and water spritzer. Combs and brushes are considered unsanitary and are not kept in-studio for customer use.

Props
If you plan on using props in a child's portrait, you should look at the studio's central website again. Take a look at your options and jot down what you'd like to use on your visit. Just like backgrounds-not all studios have all props. When you call ahead to consult about your background options, inquire further about the availability of some props you'd like to use. Also, consider bringing your own props with you for a more personal touch to your portraits. Favorite toys such as dolls and ride-on cars make great personal props. Bringing a blanket from home for your infant is another great idea for personalizing portraits. If possible, try to coordinate prop colors with the colors of clothing you've chosen.

Poses
I understand that posing is the photographer's job, but try to take a look at other family portraits before your appointment. By typing in "family portrait" into Google's image search, you will find plenty of samples to examine. If there's a pose you love, print it out! Your photographer will have a better sense of your style and will proceed accordingly. On the same note, if you see a photo you absolutely hate, print that out, too! Make sure to mark the print outs so no one gets confused, though.

Coupons
Retail photography studios always have some kind of special or coupon out. Parenting magazines are loaded with ads and coupons from Target, Sears and JCPenney Studios. You can also find offers on the retailer's website. Look for keywords and phrases such as offer, coupon, deals, special pricing, manager's special or free to find good prices on products at your studio. Most studios have birthday clubs or some kind of special club to join that will take a sitting fee off your visit or give you a free 8x10 on someone's birthday. ALWAYS print these out and bring them to the studio with you. Some studios do not have or keep these coupon codes on hand and they will not adjust your pricing after the session and payment process is complete.

I know this is a lot to do instead of just walking in and having your portrait taken, but paying attention to these steps will make you happier in the long run. Your photographer will make great suggestions, but by being prepared you will have a fun and semi-relaxed experience. Printing all these things out is important because you will most likely forget what you had seen when you're in the studios. Trying to remember and describe backgrounds and props will be on the back-burner of your mind as you keep tabs on your children and scramble to attend to last minute details and diaper changes. This list and your now growing pile of print outs will ensure a portrait that you're proud to display in your home and handout to family members and friends.