What NOT to Do Before a Photoshoot

Last fall I traveled to Los Angeles and had an impromptu meetup with a professional photographer. Good thing I have no shame and overshare so you’ll know what not to do before your next photoshoot.

Photoshoot mistakes were made

This all started when visiting my son, Kelly, and his girlfriend, Leksy, in Los Angeles, California. One night, we drove to a restaurant while Leksy, who is a stylist, sat in back. I perused their Instagram feeds, amazed by their photos after a shoot with Zachary Dripps.

“Whoa. These turned out so cool. I should hire him,” I said, totally off the cuff.

“I can set something up,” said Leksy.

I laughed. I had no intention of getting my pictures taken. It was the first of September. I planned to get my hair cut and colored when I returned home. It was quiet in the backseat as I continued to study the photos on my phone.

“He can meet you on Monday,” said Leksy.

I swung my head around. “I didn’t know you were asking him.” I internally groaned as excitement and nervousness slipped into my gut. I took a peek in the mirror. No. I wasn’t ready for prime time.

From that moment on, I tried to downplay it, think it was no big deal, a lark. In other words, I did nothing to prepare.

See this professional Instagram model? We passed her and the photoshoot posse as we made our way into the restaurant. She posed fluidly around the pole, giving the photographer her best side. Meaning she didn’t have a bad side.

I have lots of bad sides.

I usually have A Wild Hair too, but the kind that sits upon my head has always been a problem.

Photoshoots of yore

I attended grade school before irons, that could curl or straighten hair safely. Some of my friends used real irons. I never had the nerve, instead, my mom set my hair on rags, Victorian style. I could sleep with rags in my hair. In the morning, they would be perfect ringlets like this girl’s curls.

We didn’t have conditioner either. Try brushing long fine curly hair after soaping it up with strong stringent shampoo. When the first conditioner came out, I was super excited. Of course, I didn’t read the directions. I went to bed that night thinking my hair would dry overnight. When I woke up the next day, I was horrified but didn’t have time to rinse it out. I went to high school with a full head of greasy conditioner.

I was in Los Angeles. Salons located on every corner. Would I book an appointment? Treat myself to a blow out? Engage in a little self care?

Nope.

My nerves set in so I tried to forget about it. As we filled our days with sightseeing, the vague thought to get my hair professionally styled crossed my mind many times, along with shopping for appropriate clothes, and getting a pedicure. BUT, they flew past like a dry leaf in a tornado.

A look inside my brain before the photoshoot:

Dorothy is the important thought, kicking me to do something, ANYTHING, before the photoshoot.

At least Dorothy wore her hair in braids. Even with a tornado in sight, she was better prepared than I was. Her clothes are pressed, they’re layered in a very chic way, and she carries a unique accessory to make the look complete!

The day of the shoot, I panicked.

My conditioned hair flew in every direction. At first I thought, I’d go with the flow and let it be curly, but it was inconsistently curly. Looking back I should have started over and blown my hair dry to get rid of the wiry curls in weird places. Instead, I used EVERYTHING I had to tame what could not be tamed. I smoothed my hair the best I could and decided to wear my hat, throwing a rubber band in my purse for good measure.

As the minutes tick by, I pulled a few outfits together, regretting I hadn’t gone shopping. If I had known I was going to be photographed, I would have packed differently. I decided to layer like Dorothy.

Another mistake. It was very hot.

As I sipped coffee with Zach and Kelly, I wiped the sweat from my brow and hoped we’d find some shady locations.

My hair behaved for my first shot.

As the sun rose so did the humidity. My helmet head hairspray soon broke apart and my mane became frizzy.

I have lots of fun photos but my hair. So disappointing.

You have to remember that I chose my “best” shots to be developed, so you have to believe me when I say my hair started to go crazy wild and strange. I edited this shot and added saturation and contrast which helped.

I stopped back inside the coffee shop to freshen up. When I told the lady ahead of me that I was in the middle of a photoshoot, she said, “Well, I really like your jewelry.” Gotcha.

I’ve never modeled. Back when I was younger, I was photogenic. At one point, my son suggested, “Don’t smile.” The corners of my mouth droop downward. It has never been a good look for me. I’m better with my mouth open, which it is, most the time. Ask anyone!

Me in high school concentrating on my shot and biting my bottom lip. Notice my wild and crazy hair? I’m jonesing after my legs though. LOL! I still have a ways to go this spring. Anyway…

Zach and Kelly were good sports and encouraged me throughout the shoot. Kelly would make a great director! Maybe a few of the other photos will end up on my Instagram.

Zachery Dripps, Kelly Lindau, and moi, Susie Lindau

If you’re ever in the Los Angeles area and want to schedule a photoshoot, hit Zack up! Do you notice how tidy his hair looks? Maybe I should cut mine short.

I linked up Zach’s portrait page, where you’ll see my son, Kelly! So photogenic. Click home to see what else Zach is up to.

And Leksy too!

I should probably take a lesson from Leksy and have my hair done next time.

Make sure to press play!!!

As a part of my learning curve, I’m scheduling a blowout before my birthday this Thursday. Lesson learned.

When was the last time you had a professional photograph taken?

Click for more adventure on the Wild Ride!

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