DIY Styling Top Ten Tips

It often surprises me how some basic DIY styling is still much overlooked or avoided by corporate and p.r. photographers. Perhaps it's the pressure of the job or simply inexperience that prevents some from noticing these simple rules. To illustrate my advice, I have used some commissioned shots for client Grant Thornton International who wanted to create guidelines for their marketing staff. Although good fun to do, it was hard for me to tell model Scott to 'scruff up' (fashion term) as I appear to have an ingrained desire to make people look their tidiest. So here are my 10 'Top to Toe' styling tips:

1. Request additional grooming if required. Hair styles are a personal thing but some dos simply require a touch-up (probably best to tell them to do their own touching-up)
2. Make necktie the correct length - the tip should be just short of the belt line. Just watch out for those subjects that try and tuck excessive length into their trousers..
3. Check that shirt and jacket collars are turned down, flattened and tucked-in. Same for pocket flaps.
4. Position the tie dead centre, covering all the shirt buttons - and do check that the thin end does not show
5. Tuck in shirts neatly and tightly. No overhangs - unless subject's anatomy prevents this. Beware, some subjects choose to pull their shirt down through their fly and it is probably better not to take any shots whilst they're doing this
6. Show sleeve cuffs, say roughly ¼"
7. Empty all pockets. Particularly trouser pockets as any hint of unnatural bulges will save embarrassment later on
8. Remove ID tags, poppies, daffodils, charity bands and other non-jewellery items. Unless, of course, theses are worn as jewellery items
9. Centre belt buckles
10. Tie shoe laces

There is a number 11. Do not wear a white shirt against a white background. If this is ignored, the result will either be that the shirt will blend with the background resulting in a floating head or the shirt will not look white but a shade of dirty grey. Obviously this tip can only be followed if the subject just happened to have a spare non-white shirt with him (or her). Finally. You may find that most of these tips will mainly apply to men as women generally know exactly how to look good in front of the camera.