Here are a few tips to get your skin ready for your great portraits:

• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Hydrated, healthy skin will always look better – in real life, as well as in photographs. Even if your skin is oily, a good moisturizer will teach your skin not to produce so much. Massage it in to help circulation. Don’t forget your neck!
• Eat a healthy diet. Experts have recommended avoiding dairy, caffeine, and sodium (and enjoying items like citrus, avocados, and almonds) for healthier, better-looking skin. Drink plenty of water to moisturize from the inside.
• Exfoliate gently to reduce flakes and reveal brighter, newer, more evenly-toned skin. Once or twice a week with a physical scrub is plenty for most people.
• Avoid the sun! Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection (and reapply often) if you can’t. Sun rays lead to premature aging and other skin damage. The week or so before your portraits, especially, please avoid tanning… and a potential sunburn! Retouching tan lines and reducing the red (or orange from a spray tan) will require an added processing fee.
• Get plenty of sleep. Experts recommend 7-8 hours a night for proper rest, de-stressing, and rejuvenation.
• Should you choose to get a facial, make sure it’s ten days to two weeks before your session, so any reactions have a chance to clear up.

While I am not a dermatologist, these are tips I’ve found helpful for me. Please conduct your own research to find what works best for you. 

Find out more about portrait sessions here, now that you're ready!

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Ready for some great photographs? Let’s get to know each other over coffee (or smoothies… or milkshakes…), and talk about celebrating your life’s true beauty in images you love. You can reach me at [email protected] or (434) 226-0365.

My Promise: Together, we will create amazing photos you’ll want to share. How do you want to be photographed?