From The Straits Times    |
sam yeldham

1. Know your theme
You have to have a clear understanding and vision of what you want, so you can find the relevant inspiration pictures. You’ll also have to be able to communicate to your photographer and makeup artist and hair stylist on the right look. Without knowing what you want, you’ll be lost.

2. Get the right photographer
To do so, you’ll have to try and meet him or her if possible. While you can suss out the photographer’s style online (if he or she has his or her portfolio on his or her site), you can’t determine chemistry unless you meet. This is important as you will have to be able to communicate what you want clearly, and your photographer will have to be able to visualise it, too.

3. Hire the right makeup artist and hair stylist
Like your photographer, getting the right hair stylist and makeup artist is important. He or she is key to getting the right look for your portraits. Besides, the whole point is to make you look good, too.

4. Capture the right timing
Ask most photographers, and they’ll tell you that the best time for outdoor photos, is the period just after sunrise or before sunset, as the shadows cast by the sun is softer, which will give the subject matter a more romantic glow.

5. Know your venue
When you’ve selected your outdoor venue, recce the spot before your session with your photographer to get the best angles. This will help save you time looking for the right spots.