A photo shoot is one of my favorite settings for makeup, because the camera rewards detail. It also exaggerates anything that wasn't planned. These five tips will help you arrive ready and leave with images you love.
1. Prep for smoothness, not shine
Hydrated skin photographs best. In the days before, keep up your usual routine, moisturize well, and skip harsh scrubs or new treatments that could leave you flaky or red. If your skin is used to gentle exfoliation, do it a few days ahead, not the night before. On the day, come with a clean face and a light moisturizer so I can build a base that looks like skin, not a mask.
2. Tell me about the light and the outfit
Studio flash, golden-hour sun and a dim restaurant all treat makeup differently. Let me know where you're shooting, at what time, and what you're wearing. Send a few reference images for the mood, plus a photo of your outfit. Color, neckline and the overall feeling of the shoot all influence how I balance the eyes, cheeks and lips.
3. Mention flash before we start
Some powders and some sunscreens reflect light back under flash and leave a white cast in photos, even when they look invisible in person. That's not a reason to skip sun protection, especially for an outdoor shoot. It's a reason to tell me if flash is in the plan, so I can choose products and placement that photograph clean.
4. Expect a little more definition than everyday
Cameras flatten the face. A bit more shape in the cheeks, a more defined brow and a lip one step richer than usual will look just right in photos, even if it feels slightly stronger in the mirror. I keep it refined, never heavy. Ask your photographer to show you a test shot early, and judge the look on the screen, not only in the mirror.
5. Bring a small kit to set
Pack your lip color, blotting papers and a comb or a few pins. Blot shine before you add powder, and refresh your lip between looks. If you're changing outfits, wear a button-front top while getting ready and change carefully so nothing smudges.
A well-planned shoot feels relaxed, and relaxed photographs better than anything. Photoshoot makeup starts at $200, and lashes are included. Book your photoshoot makeup.
Wendy Nicole is a makeup and hair artist in New Jersey with more than ten years behind the chair. About Wendy
