Getting prepped for your portrait session requires some advance planning. While most emphasis is routinely placed on setting up the session, getting everyone together, and deciding what to wear, there’s one item that commonly gets overlooked—grooming.

Actually, grooming is often left to the last minute, sometimes to just before heading to the session (especially for guys!). To help make sure you are prepared and confident during your session, we have compiled a list of our top 5 grooming tips.

(Even though grooming tips are similar for men, women, and children, there are vast differences…. so to keep this post from being too long, we are dividing it into a three part series: Guys, Gals, and Kids.)

Guys Hair

A good haircut and style does wonders for your confidence. Get your hair cut two weeks before your session, giving time for your forehead and neck to tan (avoid the white hairline) and your hair time to grow to perfect length.

Bring grooming supplies to your session as they may be needed for touch ups in case of windy conditions.

Guys Facial Hair

Shave with a new razor shortly before the session. A five o’clock shadow is difficult to retouch.

Trim eyebrows, beards, sideburns, and moustaches making sure to remove stray and scraggly hair.

Check your nose and ears for hair and trim if needed – they can show up in portrait close-ups.

Guys Skin

Your skin is the main focal point in portraits, so use moisturizer to remove dry, flakey skin. If your skin is naturally oily, dust it lightly with cosmetic powder.

It’s best to begin moisturizing a few days in advance of your session, focusing on areas you will expose to the camera.

If you perspire heavily, watch for underarm sweat rings and prepare accordingly. These are hard to remove in Photoshop.

Guys Makeup

For the perfect smile, bring and wear Chap Stick to keep your lips moisturized during the session.

Blemishes are easier smoothed during image processing so avoid over doing cover-up to hide pimples.

Guys Hands and Feet

Trim and clean your nails, especially around the cuticles and under the nails.

If your feet will be exposed during the shoot, make sure they receive the same careful attention of cleaning, moisturizing, and trimming, especially for beach portraits.

Small details are important and you want your portrait to say all the right things about you. Follow these tips and your confidence will soar making for the most relaxing portrait session ever.

See part-2 of our Top 5 Portrait Grooming Tips Series: GALS and part-3 for KIDS.