9 Tips to Prepare for a Fashion Photo Shoot
A gallery of various headshots and my 1930’s Hollywood vintage shot!
“Going Vogue” at my age plus tips to help you feel your best when your photoshoot day arrives!
Last year, I received an email from Lisa Damico, an accomplished portrait photographer in the DC metro area who we’ve worked with and known for many years.
It said:
“Hi Evelyn, I am offering a new portrait experience promotion called 40 Over 40. In honor of my 40th birthday, I want to photograph 40 women over 40 to celebrate women's beauty, strength, and wisdom in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond. The participants will be featured in my upcoming celebration party and gallery-style exhibition of women and their stories.”
SOMETHING SWEET
Been There, Done That…
After reading her email, I thought, “NO WAY! Why would I want to do that?” I’ve done three photoshoots in the last six years to market my business and found them anxiety-producing.
The first time was in 2019 when we did headshots with Lisa. Emily and I coordinated our outfits, and the shots helped tell our brand story professionally on our website and social media.
Then, in 2021, we rebranded. We wrote an extensive three-part series highlighting our brand photoshoot. We’d hired a fashion stylist, a hair professional, a makeup artist, and a bonafide fashion photographer and shot at three locations. It was a lot of preparation, but the results were well worth it. We’re still using many of the shots.
Then, just three months before receiving Lisa’s email, we’d just had a professional team photo shoot to include our graphic designer, Vanessa, on our Home and About pages, so needless today, the last thing I needed was MORE photos of myself!
Also…although Lisa’s promotion is “40 Over 40,” that age came and went 19 years ago, and my visage has uh, matured. Wrestling with the unrelenting trio of peri, meno, and post-menopause isn’t a picnic; do I really want to celebrate that?
But…I like Lisa a lot. She is a super-talented and hard-working photographer, and I wanted to support her promotion. Despite my trepidation, my age and experience ARE assets. I AM more insightful, patient and confident. If that comes with a few more wrinkles and rolls, it’s a fair tradeoff. (At least I keep telling myself that.)
TIP #1 Schedule an appointment with your hairstylist taking into account when your hair will look its best for your shoot….usually 10–14 days before (also, if you’re not loving it, you have time to fix it). Avoid last-minute haircuts or making dramatic changes to your look.
From idle to active!
I considered it the perfect jumpstart I needed to return to a habitual workout routine. After being a runner and a regular in an outdoor fitness class for over 20 years, I'd slacked off considerably after contracting COVID in early 2022, and girl, did it show.
Inertia had taken hold, and I had to reengage, so I’d already signed up for a sprint triathlon in the early summer of 2023. I’ve done many sprint triathlons in the last 15 years, but none recently. I knew I could get into good enough shape to complete the race, which I did! Check it out here. But the pressure was on with the addition of the photo shoot looming.
I don’t necessarily recommend signing up for a triathlon if you’ve never participated in one but do whatever works for you to get motivated and moving.
TIP #2 Consider scheduling some weekly workouts between now and your session. Not only will you look better, but you'll feel better, which translates into better final photos.
SOMETHING SEXY (SORTA)
Celebrate this time in your life
Another reason I reconsidered doing the shoot was although I could use the images for marketing purposes, like writing this blog post and cross-promotions with Lisa, it would be just for me…future me.
I often look back at varied points in my life and think about how (fill in the blank) young, happy (or not) and thinner I was. I didn’t appreciate any of it at the time. These photos will allow me to reflect on this unique time. My husband and I enjoy our lives together, and my adult kids are both doing well.
My niece and daughter work with me in my design business, which is really special to me. It’s a moment in time that I will always treasure and know will change, so I want to honor it.
My final hesitation was the cost: a photo shoot like this isn’t inexpensive. I’m frugal, and justifying spending money on this felt a tad vain, but I did it anyway. The photos are a souvenir of making it this far, relatively unscathed, and a gift to the future me.
Stereotypes about aging
Fashion has long dictated what’s considered beautiful and used to sideline women over 40, but social media has changed that. It’s pushed the acceptability of all shapes, sizes, and ages. People want authenticity, too—imperfection is more interesting.
By stepping in front of the camera, I’m not just capturing this moment; I'm making a statement. Women of all ages must see that life — and style — doesn’t stop. When women my age are visible in fashion, it normalizes ageless beauty and gives younger generations a broader perspective of what aging can look like.
The Year Women Are Going For It!
I signed up for the 40 Over 40 shoot in the spring of 2023 but didn’t do it until spring 2024. The timing feels prescient. 2024 is shaping up to be The Year Women Are Going For It! The U.S. women just finished competing in the 2024 Olympics. Afterward, I read this remarkable stat: If American women were their own nation, they would have won the 3rd most medals at the Olympics. WOW!
The other big news is that Kamala Harris is running for president, and her candidacy has reinvigorated the Democratic Party. I was in elementary school when Roe v. Wade became law, so seeing rights to our bodily autonomy stripped away, state by state is unfamiliar and jarring. Having the right to decide one’s health care is necessary in a free society, so having a leader who advocates for those beliefs reminds me that we must be continually proactive.
Admittedly, a photoshoot isn’t activism, but being outside my comfort zone is empowering and confidence-building–the first step to becoming a radical! (typed entirely in jest)
That’s my why; let’s get to the how.
What’s included in the 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience:
One of the niceties of working with Lisa is that her recommendations are based on years of experience, expertise, and success in helping her clients get the best possible results. This is some of what is included in her promotion:
CONSULTATION & WARDROBE STYLING: We discussed how I wanted to be photographed and the selected outfits I’d wear.
PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP STYLING the day of the photoshoot.
FULLY GUIDED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOOT: A 4-hour shoot where Lisa posed me down to expressions and fingertips.
IMAGE REVEAL & ORDERING SESSION: A reveal and ordering session at her studio in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia where I looked through 100 photos—those were just the good ones. She must have shot five times that many.
PORTRAIT CELEBRATION + EXHIBITION: A future exhibition will showcase the portraits of all 40 women, including one of my own.
FEATURED ON SOCIAL MEDIA: One of my photos has already been featured on Lisa’s Instagram.
TIP #3 How are your nails looking? If you love how your hands look with a manicure, schedule one. Avoid strong colors and go with neutrals that are classic, elegant, and timeless. At a minimum, remove any old nail polish before your session.
My versions of Classic, Sexy, Epic, Black and Sweet
Something Classic, Sexy, Epic, Black and Sweet
One of the first emails I received gave guidance on the parameters. We were to choose outfits that align with the categories below:
SOMETHING CLASSIC: Think timeless silhouettes and fashion-approved cuts. Layers bring this look to life. This set can have a decadent sensual twist or even be used for personal branding. A white button-down shirt is an excellent choice and is universally flattering.
SOMETHING SEXY: Hey, Siren. Bring your daring dresses, sexiest lingerie and bodysuits, or even prep for a gorgeous fine art implied nude. Whatever sexy looks like to you, we’re going to create it.
SOMETHING EPIC: This is your chance to live out every Red Carpet, Met Gala, and Vanity Fair fantasy. Embrace statement trains, oversized sleeves, or decadent gowns. This is your goddess moment.
SOMETHING BLACK: Every woman looks gorgeous in a black dress, suit, turtleneck, or lingerie. Black is both modern and timeless, sexy and classic. Even if you don’t usually wear it, we promise you’ll be happy you crossed over to the dark side.
SOMETHING SWEET: Sweet can mean flowy layers of tulle, romantic pastel tones, or a style that reads Old World. Make it extra sweet.
SOMETHING EPIC
Time to go shopping!
You can “shop” your closet or use it as an excuse to go shopping. I went shopping, of course! Since I knew my colors from our previous color analysis with Melany Carlos from House of Colour (I’m an Autumn) and had recently discovered my signature styles, (Dramatic Gamine) I knew what to look for.
I scrolled through Lisa’s IG and selected my favorite backdrop colors. One was a warm, soft terracotta that I loved and knew would complement my coloring. You can see it in my Something Sexy photo.
I kept in mind that dressing and styling for on-camera looks/photos can differ significantly from dressing and styling for an in-person or everyday look. But I did want to be able to wear what I bought after the shoot.
Take my Something Epic dress. I purchased it online from Bloomingdale’s. My niece’s wedding was coming up at the end of last year, so I bought it for the wedding and the photoshoot. I could wear it again to a Fall or Winter black tie event. It’s versatile and surprisingly comfy…the open-toe, 4” heeled shoes, on the other hand...er…not so much.
My Something Sexy isn’t all that provocative. The wide-legged leather pants, purchased at Macy’s, are funky, and the terracotta mock turtleneck from Old Navy is sleeveless, but it’s a G-rated ensemble. I defaulted to the tried-and-true snakeskin print boots I wore in our previous photo shoots. I love those boots in pictures but rarely wear them in real life. They’re uncomfortable, but they exemplify Dramatic Gamine, my style profile.
My Something Sweet is more casual than sweet, but I was drawn to a silky, dark olive blouse in the store. I don’t have any clothes that color and thought it would look good paired with jeans. I love the backdrop color Lisa chose. She said it was the first time she’d ever used it.
SOMETHING BLACK
My Something Black was the only category for which I did not purchase clothing. Now that I know I’m an Autumn, wearing black is “no bueno.” But I have a super cool faux fur vest from Cabi that looks brand new. It has that “Rock Star” vibe–Dramatic Gamine. But I like this look the least compared to the others because black/cool gray does nothing for me. Lisa showed me these shots in black and white to see if I’d like them more, but I was underwhelmed.
Finally, my Something Classic, the first look I did for the photo shoot, brings this all full circle. Remember I mentioned doing headshots with Lisa back in 2019? It was before we’d gotten our colors and styles done. I wore a long, bright white jacket. I was in my “Dr. Design” phase.
After getting my colors and styles done, I learned that bright white makes me look cheap…who knew? I should stick with off-white and warm neutrals. I still wanted a headshot of me in a light-colored suit, so I purchased a new one. Short-cropped jackets look better on me than longer jackets that hit at the hip. Finally, my “tan suit” moment! LOL!
House of Colour Swatch Book is handy for clothes shopping.
TIP #4 Consider getting your colors and styles done before shopping for outfits. I love the House of Colour system. That way you know what you look really good in. OR hire a fashion stylist. They can “shop” your closet as well as their select vendors, to create your ideal looks.
L: In 2019, I wore everything WRONG! A long white jacket with a black shirt and silver rings! No, no and no! R: In 2024, I wore a short-cropped fitted jacket and a warm green shirt with sparkly earth-colored jewelry. YES! Knowing your colors and styles makes a difference.
TIP #5 Do you plan to wear eyeglasses in your photos? If possible, visit your eye doctor the day before your session and have them remove the lenses—this will eliminate glare in your photos.
Virtual pre-session consultation and wardrobe styling session
Three months before the shoot, I had a 90-minute virtual consultation with Lisa’s stylist, Kim, on Zoom. All my looks were bought and curated except the Something Black.
This is my '86 art school ID. At night, I moonlighted as a singer in a hair metal band—kidding of course!
Because I attended art school in the ’80s (think Robert Smith of The Cure; he’s the personification of my wardrobe most of my young life), I have no shortage of black clothing. This includes dresses with/without sleeves, a suit I only wear to funerals now, and even a black cape from my days as a supervillain. I'm kidding. Although I’ve given much of my black clothing away, I knew I’d have no problem finding something black.
I set up in my office because it has great natural lighting so Kim could see the colors of outfits and me in full length. I put on each look with varied jewelry options. She gave me suggestions on mixing and matching. Following our call, she sent me a custom style guide and a checklist of the items I would wear and need to bring to the photoshoot. She also sent me links to where to buy the accessories we discussed.
Lisa said I was the "Fastest Client Ever" between outfit changes. I thank my shapewear!
TIP #6 Buy full body shapewear that is breathable and comfortable to wear underneath all your looks. It shortens the time it takes between outfit changes and your clothes lay smooth with no bulging.
Last minute to-dos before the shoot:
These are helpful tips that Lisa conveyed in the days leading up to the shoot:
Gather and organize your outfits using your custom Style Guide checklist.
Drink more water. We all know water is essential, yet we still forget to drink enough. Start now.
Cut back on caffeine and salt. Both are dehydrating and cause your body to retain water.
Clean your jewelry. For a fast and easy DIY option, try using a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your bling or visit a jewelry store.
Deep condition. Your salon can do a conditioning or gloss treatment or use your favorite deep conditioner at home.
TIP #7 Make sure you're getting enough sleep because if you feel good, you look good! Lack of sleep can add to dark under-eye circles and make you look tired, stressed, and generally older.
The day of the photoshoot!
My hair was colored and cut, and my nails were polished in a neutral color. (Manicures have never been my thing. I prefer the mandible method to keep my nails in tip-top shape.) 😬 I had all my outfits pre-assembled and on hangars to hang everything on a rolling wardrobe rack at the studio. My jewelry was organized, and I followed these last set of instructions from Lisa:
Moisturized skin photographs best, so apply body lotion in the morning (focusing on your hands, arms, and any skin showing in your photos) and wear lip balm to avoid chapped lips.
Shave. Depending on your personal grooming preferences, remember to touch up your body hair, including your underarms, legs, bikini, and upper lip.
Tweeze eyebrows. Double-check for any strays.
Wear a loose button-down shirt to make it easier to change into your first outfit and to prevent your freshly done hair and makeup from smudging.
Eat a healthy breakfast (or lunch) focusing on protein and complex carbs. This will give you plenty of energy to carry you through your photoshoot.
The under eye mask forced me to relax!
TIP #8 Relax and visualize. After you shower, lay down for 15 minutes with an under eye mask under your eyes, listening to soothing music and visualize how this day is about you, your story, your style, and your journey!
Arriving at the photography studio
I considered taking the sign for future use... especially in downtown DC!
When I got to Lisa’s studio, a sign was reserving my parking spot! How often does that happen? Lisa is very detail-oriented and knows how to make her clients feel special.
Lisa greeted me and introduced me to the hair and makeup artist, Carolyn Thombs. We reviewed all my looks and accessories and discussed any concerns I had. I requested that she not put on long, fake eyelashes. My eyes are deep-set, and I have thick eyebrows, so heavy eyelashes are too much. I left everything else up to her. After all, she is the professional.
Selfie with hair and makeup artist Carolyn after the shoot. Behind us, Lisa and Shawn, her videographer, are optimistic that we got some excellent shots!
The first look was Something Classic: me in my off-white suit, where Lisa strategically positioned me using natural lighting and large reflective white panels. The other four looks were against her varied-colored backdrops, ending with the Something Epic ensemble. She experimented with different lighting intensities and angles and a fan for wind-blown hair effects. Yes, I truly felt like a Covergirl for a day!
Lisa was communicative, telling me exactly how to position my legs, feet, arms, hands and fingers. Carolyn dabbed and reapplied as needed. I thoroughly enjoyed the fully and expertly guided magazine-style photoshoot, and the three hours went by fast, but I was tired. Modeling is a lot of work!
Image Reveal Day
It took several weeks before I could get back to Lisa’s studio, but she had close to 100 images for me to look at. We went through them all together, and because I work with professional photography in my business, it was easy to cull it down to about 25 images. Not surprisingly, Lisa and I agreed on the ones worthy of inclusion. Lisa had done some retouching but didn’t go all out because she wanted to focus only on the images I wanted. Once we selected those, she did further retouching and sent me the final images via zip file.
Lisa in her studio for our image reveal. Thank you Lisa!
The other big reveal was that she is expecting baby #2 at the end of this year. I’m thrilled for her. This was the perfect segue to telling me that the 40 Over 40 celebration party and gallery-style exhibition she planned for the end of this year would shift to the spring. But whenever it happens, I know it will be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see which image of mine she selects to be in the show!
I’m also planning to give images for gifts and use some of them in my marketing efforts. I like switching up my social media photos so they don’t get stale.
Finally, I am excited to be a part of a worldwide movement, too! Helping women 40+ to be seen and appreciated. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and love the results. It’s the perfect way to head into my 60s!
In conclusion, Lisa's 40 Over 40 landing page list perfectly encapsulates this blog post.
Remember to:
Do something empowering for yourself.
Honor what makes you beautiful and unique.
Embrace every freckle, line, and scar no matter your age, shape, or size.
Share your story about what it means to be a mature woman.
Help other women realize their potential by stepping out of the shadows.
Learn to love the reflection looking back at you in the mirror.
Acknowledge that self-love isn’t selfish.
TIP #9 Keep up the momentum if you made healthy changes to prepare for your photoshoot! Then you’re always ready to “Go Vogue” at a moment’s notice!
If you are considering doing a photoshoot like this, Go For It! If you have questions or insights, feel free to reach out or comment below.
