<< Fotility Photography & Videography Has Been Hired OVER 4,917+ Times >>

Helpful Pointers & Tips Before Your Session with Fotility

We Help You Feel, Capture & Share™ What Matters Most!Jerry Roxas, Chief Creative Officer

As a top-rated photography and videography studio in San Diego, our goal is not only to capture the best memories for our clients, but also to assist them in any way possible during their session with us. With that in mind, we’ve compiled this ever growing list of pointers and tips for our client’s benefit!

Click on any of the categeories on this page to view some helpful pointers, tips and tricks (and sometimes even so posing suggestions)!

Automotive Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of your vehicle to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Clean BOTH the interior AND the exterior of the vehicle. Be sure to remove all dirt, grime, dust, smudges, streaks, etc. from all surfaces.
If necessary, treat all rubber, leather and/or vinyl surfaces.
Vaccuum floormats (INCLUDING underneath the floormats), seats, trunk, compartments, etc.
Remove all unnecessary items from trays, cup holders, glove box, door pockets, etc.
Bring any pertinent documentation (i.e. owners manual, maintenance records, articles, awards, etc.) and additional keys.
Point out any special features (i.e. unique engine specifications, upgrades, audio equipment, etc.)
Be prepared to take some photos with your car (optional)!
To see real samples of our automtive photo shoots, click here.
To book a top-rated automotive photographer in San Diego, click here.

Business Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of your business to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!

Make sure all persons being photographed are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.

Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips and suggestions on the day of your shoot.

We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.

If we are shooting for your social content or website, we’d recommend multiple outfit changes (so it doesn’t look like it was all shot on the same day).

Let us know if you need a model to pose as a customer or client, and we’d be happy to accommodate. Model costs will be passed directly on to you.

If we are shooting at your location, make sure all areas to be photographed are clean, presentable and ready.

Business Promo Videos (BPV)

To help us formulate video compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of your business, product, and/or staff to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
If we are shooting at your location, make sure the designated area is clean, presentable and ready to be filmed.
Make sure all persons to be included in the video are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be filmed.
Have your script ready, and practice, practice, practice! For your convenience, we do offer teleprompter assistance at no additional charge. To use our teleprompter, we do require that you provide us with your complete script at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled shoot.
To see real samples of our Business Promo Videos, click here.

Composites

If we are shooting at your location, make sure the designated area is clean, presentable and ready.
Make sure all persons being photographed are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips and suggestions on the day of your shoot.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our composite photography, click here.

Dating Profiles

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of yourself to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Relax and be yourself, our goal is to capture the true essence of who you are!
If we are shooting at your location, make sure the designated area is clean, presentable and ready.
Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips and suggestions on the day of your shoot, as well as go over our approach to capturing dating profile portraits.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see our vision board for men, click here. To see our vision board for women, click here.

Drone Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of your property to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
All of our drone pilots are FAA licensed and abide by ALL FAA rules and regulations regarding commercial drone pilots.
Check for any drone flight regulations at your location BEFORE you book with us. Fotility will also check, and we reserve the right to cancel any drone bookings based on restrictions and/or flight limitations for your shoot address.
Prepare your property prior to your scheduled shoot (i.e. remove any items that you do not want visible during your shoot).
Our drone pilots fly pre-designated flight patterns that are designed specifically to capture and highlight properties/events and their surrounding amenities/activities. Please let us know in advance if you have specific needs for your drone footage.
By default, our drone pilots capture high-definition video footage. Please let us know in advance if you require high-resolution aerial photos.
Unless our drone pilots require assistance in accessing the shoot address (i.e. gated communities, interior shots, etc.), you do NOT need to be present during your scheduled drone shoot.
To book a top-rated drone photographer and videographer in San Diego, click here.

Engagement Portraits

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of both of you to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Make sure you’re both presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips and suggestions on the day of your shoot to help you look and feel your best, and to highlight your love for eachother!
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our engagement portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for couples, click here.

Events

Our clients are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits required for Fotility to provide our services at their event.
Please be sure to provide us with a copy of your event’s itinerary or agenda at least 48 hours in advance.
Depending on the length of your event, our team may need a secure location to place our gear – preferably with access to power outlets.

Family Portraits

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of all family members to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
We’re well aware of the fact that the attention span of small children during photo shoots is relatively short, so if we’re working with young ones, we’ll work fast to get their portraits out of the way as quickly as possible!
If you have small children, we suggest you manage their schedules prior to the shoot to ensure that they’re personalites are at their most relaxed stage during your scheduled shoot. No one wants photos of their kids in foul moods!
When working with small children, our team utilizes techniques to get kids to look at the camera. So please keep smiling at our cameras, and trust us to get your kids to look into the lens!
Make sure everyone is presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give everyone helpful posing tips and suggestions on the day of your shoot to help you look and feel your best!
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our family portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for families, click here.
To book a top-rated family photographer in San Diego, click here.

Fitness Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of yourself to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips and suggestions on the day of your shoot to help you look and feel your best!
Be prepared to get a little workout in! Sometimes it takes a few shots to get the exact look we want, so you may have to do things over and over again.
Bring any props that you feel support your fitness profile (i.e. yoga mat, towels, water bottles, resistance bands, etc.).
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our fitness shoots, click here.
To see our vision board for fitness shoots, click here.

Food Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of your restaurant interior to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Our photographers are on a tight schedule, and will arrive approx 10-15 minutes before your shoot to setup.
Once we are setup, feel free to bring out your food as fast as you like!
For sanitation reasons and timeliness, we are NOT allowed to wait for or photograph items that will later be served to customers.
Make sure your dishes are well presented, including garnishes and wiping off of plates.
Adding well placed, relevant garnishes (i.e. spices in ramekins, etc.) can add a lot to the presentation!
Let us know in advance if you need plates and flatware, and we’ll be happy to bring some!
To see real samples of our food photos, click here.
To book a top-rated food photographer in San Diego, click here.

Graduation Portraits

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of yourself to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Relax, be yourself, and bask in your educational accomplishment!
Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips to help you look and feel your best.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
Feel free to bring props, such as cap and gown, tassle, confetti, champagne bottles, chalkboard, etc.
Want to lower your graduation portraits cost? Partner up with your friends! We proudly offer discounted rates for group graduation shoots shot on the same date and time!
To see real samples of our graduation portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for graduation portraits, click here.
To book a top-rated graduation photographer in San Diego, click here.

Headshots

Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips, including different scenarios to give you multiple options for your headshots.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our headshot portraits, click here.

Lifestyle Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of yourself to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Be sure to bring any specific products or brands that you want represented in your lifestyle shoot.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips, including specific scenarios for your lifestyle shots.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our lifestyle portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for lifestyle portraits, click here.

Maternity Portraits

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of yourself to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Relax, sit back and enjoy this time in your life… and trust us to capture some amazing photos of you!
Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Feel free to bring any props, such as sonogram, baby clothing/toys, etc.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
To see real samples of our maternity portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for maternity portraits, click here.

Memorials

Focus on celebrating the life of your loved one, and trust us to memorialize this day.
Let us know in advance as to the various locations, plots and any special activities in honor of the deceased (i.e. church, viewing, casket or urn, 21 gun salute, presenting of the flag, speakers, eulogists, etc.)
If there are any special guests attending that you want special photos or videos of, please let us know in advance.
On the day of the memorial, our team will respect your privacy and only reach out to you if necessary. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything on the day of the service.
To see real samples of our memorial photography, please click here.
To see real samples of our memorial videography, please click here.
To book a top-rated memorial photographer or memorial videographer in San Diego, click here.

Product Shoots

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of your product to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Let us know in advance if you need your product photos to be Amazon Compliant.
Make sure your products are ready to be photographed (cleaned, wrinkle free, etc.).
If we are shooting at your location, make sure the designated area(s) are prepped and ready to be photographed.
We’re more than happy to display your product(s) in various situations of use, just let us know in advance!
To see real samples of our product photography, click here.

Real Estate Shoots

We may be at your property for up to two (2) hours (depending on the package you ordered). This means that our photographer will move efficiently from room to room to photograph your property. Your property should be ready to photograph, with all rooms prepped, and all unnecessary items out of the way. Should our photographer want to move some minor things to make your photos more appealing, they will move the items, take the photos, and then replace the items they moved.
For best results, prep your property as follows: ALL lights should be turned on; ALL fans (and any other moving items) should be turned off and NOT MOVING; ALL window coverings should be open; ALL windows should be closed; and ALL pets should be out of any rooms being photographed. Personal items on counter tops and in showers should be removed, and any pictures in frames and/or on walls that you don’t want shared online should be removed.
Our photographers take special care to capture a good balance of both interior and exterior lighting whenever possible. Keep in mind that anything visible from interior windows WILL appear in our photos.
Keep in mind that our photographers are assigned a shoot schedule each day, and they may be required to go to another shoot immediately after yours. For that reason, our photographers ARE NOT allowed to wait around while rooms are being prepped, or while items are being moved from room to room for the shoot.
All of our team members are certified, and trained specifically to identify and capture the most marketable features of any property. However, please let us know if there are specific shots that you’d like captured, and we’d be happy to do so!
If you ordered Matterport services, we do request that all persons and pets exit the home during the shoot.
If you ordered Drone footage and/or photos, please make sure that the exterior areas of your property are presentable (i.e. trash cans are moved into the garage, outdoor furniture is uncovered and arranged, pool area is clean and organized, no cars are parked on the property, etc.)
To see real samples of our real estate shoots, click here.
To book a top-rated real estate photographer, click here.

Senior Portraits

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of yourself to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Relax, be yourself, and bask in your senioritis!
Make sure you are presentable (i.e. make-up, hair, outfits, etc.) and ready to be photographed.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you helpful posing tips to help you look and feel your best.
We’ll perform minor edits on your photos, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing.
Feel free to bring props, such as cap and gown, tassle, confetti, champagne bottles, chalkboard, etc.
Want to lower your senior portraits cost? Partner up with your friends! We proudly offer discounted rates for group senior portrait shoots shot on the same date and time!
To see real samples of our senior portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for senior portraits, click here.
To book a top-rated senior portraits photographer in San Diego, click here.

Surprise Proposals

To help us formulate photo compositions (as well as know who to look for!) in advance of your session, please feel free to text a recent photo of both of you to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Don’t worry about a thing, just focus on popping the question!
We’ve done hundreds of surprise proposals, so we’ve got tons of tips and tricks (i.e. secret signals, fake models, telephoto lenses, etc.) to keep your surprise under wraps!
Our team will get there in advance to scout the location and test the lighting, so we’ll be ready to capture your big moment when you are.
We’ll coordinate with you on a secret signal, which let’s us know you’re about to propose!
Be sure to send us a recent photo of the two of you, so we know who to look for.
After your proposal, we’re more than happy to take your first engagement couples portraits, which you can use for your save-the-dates!
To see real samples of our surprise proposal portraits, click here.
To see our vision board for engagement portraits, click here.
To book a top-rated surprise proposal photographer in San Diego, click here.

Weddings

To help us formulate photo compositions in advance of your big day, please feel free to text a recent photo of both of you to the text number in your booking confirmation email. Be sure to include your order id in your text message!
Relax and enjoy your day, our goal is to capture the true emotions and memories of your special day!
If we are shooting wedding preparation shots, make sure you have a designated photo area that stays clean, presentable and ready.
Don’t worry, your Fotility photographer will give you posing tips and suggestions on the day of your wedding to help you look and feel your best in your wedding portraits.
We’ll perform minor edits on all formal wedding partners and bridal party portrais, such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, light skin airbrushing, lint and background object removal. However, we DO NOT perform any body morphing. Please note that we only perform these edits on the formal portraits, and not ceremony and reception photos.
If you have a wedding coordinator, please provide us with their name and contact number, and we’ll get in direct contact with them!
If you are using a DJ or Emcee, please provide us with their name and contact number. The DJ/Emcee usually become the event coordinators on the day of your wedding, helping to keep everything on schedule!
Let us know if you have any special guests (i.e. out of towners, grandparents, etc.) that you would like us to make sure we get photos of.
We recommend assigning someone (typically someone in your bridal party) the responsibility of gathering everyone (usually family) that you want in your formal portraits immediate following your wedding ceremony. Their job will be to make sure everyone sticks around for the photos before they head off for the cocktail reception!
Make sure someone is responsible for bringing you food and drinks right after your ceremony! You may be there taking photos for a bit, and we want to make sure you have something to eat and drink!
On the day of your wedding, don’t worry if your timeline or itinerary falls out of whack. You’re the star of the show, so things can’t happen without you! Your vendors (like Fotility!) will work hard to make sure things move along as smoothly as possible.
To see real samples of our wedding portraits, click here. To see our vision board for weddings, click here.