A lot of people arrive at a portrait session having spent more time worrying about it than they needed to. The most common concerns are clothing, whether they are photogenic, and whether they will feel awkward in front of the camera. All of these are reasonable concerns, and most of them resolve themselves within the first ten minutes of the session. Here is what actually helps.

Clothing: what works in natural light

Solid colours photograph more cleanly than busy patterns in natural light, especially against the neutral tones of the studio. Mid-tones work well: dusty blues, warm greys, olive greens, soft terracotta. Avoid very bright white or very dark black if you want texture in the fabric to show. Layers are useful because they give you options during the session. Bring two or three tops if you can.

Timing and the light in the studio

The Higashiyama studio has north-facing skylights, which means the light is consistent throughout the day rather than shifting dramatically with the sun's position. Morning sessions (10:00 to 12:00) tend to have a slightly cooler, cleaner quality. Afternoon sessions (14:00 to 17:00) pick up a warmer tone as the reflected light from the surrounding buildings changes. Neither is better. It depends on the look you want.

What happens in the first ten minutes

We do not start shooting immediately. The first ten minutes are for settling in: a walk around the space, a conversation about what you are hoping to get from the session, and a look at any reference images you have brought. This is not a formality. It genuinely changes how the session goes. People who arrive and immediately stand in front of the camera tend to take longer to relax than people who have had a few minutes to talk first.

After the session: what to expect

Within 24 hours you will receive a private online gallery of selects, typically 60 to 80 images from a 90-minute session. You do not need to choose from these immediately. Take a few days. Final edited files, based on your selections, are delivered within seven business days. If you want to add prints or an album, you can do that after you have seen the final edits.

If you have specific questions about what to wear or how to prepare, send them to hello@sprucecrestline.com before your session. We would rather answer ten questions in advance than have you arrive uncertain about anything.