Most of this is common sense, but it’s the common sense that gets skipped the night before.
The Night Before
- Rest well, eat normally, and skip alcohol, salt, and caffeine. All three work against how you’ll look and feel.
- Start hydrating with water a couple of hours before the shoot.
What to Wear and Pack
- Skip tight or restrictive clothing before a nude or implied shoot; it leaves marks.
- Bring a few props or accessories you’re comfortable with. They give you something to interact with on camera.
Grooming
- Hair, nails, and skin clean and tidy.
- Don’t skip the soles of your feet if they’ll be visible.
- Check the soles of any shoes you’re bringing, too.
Don’t Change the Plan Last Minute
- No new bronzer, tan, haircut, dye job, tattoo, or piercing right before a shoot without checking with your photographer first. It can throw off their concept.
Rehearse
- Browse for new poses beforehand and try them out at home, so you’re not concentrating mid-shoot.
- Stretch beforehand, the way you would before a workout.
Next up: On Set