How to Prepare for a Professional Photoshoot: Hair and Skincare Tips

Booking a professional photoshoot is exciting, but knowing what to do before you arrive can make a big difference to your experience and final photos.

From preparing your skin and hair to choosing the right undergarments, a little preparation can help your makeup apply more smoothly, your hairstyle hold better and your outfits look their best on camera.

At iWan Studio, our professional makeup artists and stylists take care of much of the preparation for you. Still, there are a few things we recommend doing before your photoshoot to give yourself the best possible starting point.

Here is our photoshoot preparation checklist, based on recommendations from our makeup and styling team.

1. Skip Conditioner the Day Before Your Photoshoot

If you're having your hair professionally styled, consider skipping conditioner the day before your appointment.

Conditioner is designed to smooth and soften the hair, which is useful for everyday hair care. However, very soft or slippery hair can sometimes be more difficult to shape and hold for certain hairstyles. This is particularly relevant when your stylist is creating curls, waves, volume or other structured looks using heat styling tools.

You don't need to deliberately leave your hair dirty or uncomfortable. Simply shampoo as usual and skip the conditioner, unless your hair is particularly dry or your stylist has given you different instructions.

On the day itself, our hairstylists can assess your hair and work with its natural texture to create a hairstyle that complements your chosen theme and overall look.

Photoshoot tip: If you have very dry, damaged or chemically treated hair, don't force a no-conditioner routine if it leaves your hair difficult to manage. Our makeup stylists will work with your natural hair to create the desired look without compromising your hair’s condition.

2. Hydrate and Moisturise Your Skin Before Makeup

One of the things first-time customers sometimes notice at a professional photoshoot is just how much time the makeup artist spends preparing the skin before applying any foundation.

It may look like a surprisingly long process: cleansing, hydrating, moisturising and preparing different areas of the face before the first layer of makeup goes on. There is a reason for this.

Well-prepared skin gives makeup a better surface to work with. Dermatologists generally recommend cleansing first, followed by appropriate skincare such as moisturiser and sunscreen, before applying makeup. Keeping the skin moisturised can also help reduce the appearance of dry, flaky areas that makeup may otherwise emphasise.

Our team provides cleansing wipes and dedicates time to properly preparing your skin before makeup application. The goal is to create a clean, hydrated base so that your makeup can be applied evenly and comfortably, while helping your finished look remain fresh throughout your photoshoot.

Should you wear sunscreen to your photoshoot?

Yes, especially if you will be travelling outdoors before your appointment. Sun protection remains an important part of everyday skincare, and dermatologists recommend broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

For your photoshoot, however, we recommend using an untinted sunscreen rather than a tinted sunscreen or complexion product.

Tinted sunscreens contain pigments, often including iron oxides, which give the product its colour and can alter the appearance of your complexion. An untinted sunscreen gives your makeup artist a cleaner starting point for assessing your natural skin tone and matching your complexion products.

If you are wearing sunscreen under makeup, allow it to settle before makeup application. Sunscreen compatibility with makeup can depend on the formula, and dermatologists note that factors such as the finish, oil content and interaction between products can affect how well makeup sits on top.

Photoshoot tip: Don't introduce a brand-new skincare product, strong exfoliant or aggressive treatment immediately before your shoot. If a product irritates your skin, redness or dryness can be much harder to conceal than your usual imperfections.

3. Watch What You Eat the Day Before

It’s not about restricting your diet before your photoshoot (please eat comfortably!). However, if you know that certain foods or drinks tend to make you feel bloated or puffy, it can be sensible to avoid them the day before the shoot.

For some people, a particularly salty meal or alcohol can contribute to temporary fluid retention, while digestive bloating can also affect how comfortable you feel. Instead, stick to your normal balanced meals, drink enough water and avoid anything you already know makes you feel uncomfortable. It's all about feeling comfortable, energised and ready for the camera.

4. Get Enough Sleep the Night Before

This one is simple: get some sleep.

A late night before your photoshoot may leave you feeling tired, and lack of sleep can make the area around your eyes look more tired or puffy. It can also leave you feeling less energetic during a shoot where you're changing poses, expressions and sometimes outfits multiple times. Give yourself enough time to wind down the night before rather than trying to squeeze in "one last thing" at 2 a.m.

And if you still wake up with dark circles, blemishes or an unexpected breakout, don't panic. That's part of what professional makeup is for.

Our makeup artists can use complexion products and concealer techniques to help even out the appearance of blemishes, redness and under-eye darkness while keeping the overall finish suitable for photography. Your skin doesn't need to be perfect before you arrive. That's where our makeup artists come in.

5. Wear the Right Undergarments

This is one of the easiest things to overlook, and one of the things that can make a surprisingly big difference when you're choosing outfits.

If possible, wear a strapless bra or adhesive/paste-on bra to your photoshoot. Why?

Because your choice of undergarments can affect which outfits you can comfortably wear. Visible bra straps may not work with certain necklines, sleeveless outfits, off-shoulder looks or open-back designs.

At iWan Studio, we have a wide variety of themes and outfits available, so coming prepared with versatile undergarments gives you more flexibility when selecting your final looks. Depending on your chosen theme, you may also want to consider seamless underwear or undergarments that won't create visible lines beneath fitted clothing.

Photoshoot tip: If you're unsure about what to wear underneath a particular outfit, reach out to us via our WhatsApp Business hotline, we’d be happy to advise.

6. Don't Overthink What to Wear

If you're coming to a professional studio that provides wardrobe options, you don't necessarily need to arrive with a suitcase full of clothes.

Instead, think about what kinds of looks you would like to create.

Do you want something:

• Elegant and feminine?

• Cute and playful?

• Korean-inspired?

• Romantic and dreamy?

• Dramatic and editorial?

• Fantasy-inspired?

• Casual and natural?

Having a general idea of the mood you want can help our stylists recommend and guide you towards suitable outfits, hair and makeup that we have.

At iWan Studio, our theme portraits are designed as more than simply putting on an outfit and standing in front of a camera. Our team helps coordinate the makeup, hair, outfit, styling, set and photography so that the different elements work together as one finished look.

7. Arrive With Clean Skin and an Open Mind

On the day of your shoot, arrive with a clean face and a well-rested state of mind where possible. You don't need to arrive looking photoshoot-ready. That's our job.

Our makeup artists will assess your skin and prepare it before applying your makeup, while our stylists can work with your features, hair texture and chosen concept to create the overall look.

And don't worry if you aren't naturally good at posing. Professional photography isn't just about having the "right face" or knowing what to do with your hands. Our friendly team can guide you through poses, expressions and positioning throughout the shoot, so you just have to sit back and enjoy the experience.

Your Photoshoot Preparation Checklist

If you want a simple checklist to save before your appointment:

The day before

• Shampoo your hair and consider skipping conditioner if your hair allows it.

• Keep your usual skincare routine and prioritise hydration and moisturisation.

• Avoid foods or drinks you know make you feel bloated or puffy.

• Drink enough water.

• Get a good night's sleep.

• Prepare a strapless or adhesive bra and seamless undergarments if appropriate.

On the day

• Wear untinted sunscreen if you will be outdoors.

• Avoid trying new or potentially irritating skincare products.

• Arrive with a clean face and minimal/no makeup if possible.

• Bring any personal essentials you need.

• Come with an idea of the mood or themes you would like to try.

• Most importantly, don't worry about being "camera ready" before you arrive.

Ready for Your Photoshoot?

Whether you're planning a solo portrait, birthday photoshoot, couple session, besties shoot, parent-and-child portrait or creative themed photoshoot, the goal is for you to arrive as yourself and leave with a look and experience you won't get from an everyday photo.

Explore iWan Studio's theme portrait experiences and discover a photoshoot concept that's made for you.