Make-Up Tips for Your Photoshoot

I'm gonna be real honest here -- I don't know the first thing about how to apply make-up. My expertise in this arena is extremely limited.

However, I have been photographing folks that are incredibly talented in the make-up division. Through these gifted individuals, I have picked up a few tricks:

1. Skip the sunscreen.  Wearing sunscreen is a healthy common practice and I would never advocate for someone to skip sunscreen but for day of your photoshoot.  Even sunscreen, even with very little opaqueness, can alter the tone of your skin in certain lighting. 

2.       Finishing sprays and setting powders.  I highly recommend using one of these kinds of products for a couple of reasons.  The first is that you want to be mindful of conditions that may alter the makeup that you spent so much time on.   These kinds of conditions may include things like sweating, hot weather, or outfit changes.

3.       Matching foundations.  When we are taking photos, you want to make sure that your base makeup on your face matches the shade of the skin on your neck, collarbone, etc.  A stark contrast in these tones may appear more obvious in photographs than in-person.

4.       Be extra.  Don’t be afraid to get a little dramatic with your makeup for a photoshoot.  Makeup photographs very well but the lighting of the photography may dull out some of your makeup on an average of about 20%.  As such, it can be helpful, if you are interested, to add elements to your makeup such as false eyelashes, a darker shade of lipstick, dark or dramatic eyeshadow, and a heavier application of blush. 

5.       Bring it.  I recommend bringing with you a small cosmetics bags for quick touch-ups if needed.  This may include lipstick, eyeliner pencil, blush, etc.

6.       Glitters.  If you are opting to use body glitter or some other form of body sparkle, a little goes a long way when it comes to photographs.  Be sure to use these sparingly.

7.       Blemishes.  As a reminder, I do not use editing software to manage photographs unless it relates to the lighting or overall crispness of the photo.  This is because I prefer authenticity in my photographs.  That being said, if you have blemishes that you prefer to cover up, please be sure to do so prior to the photoshoot as blemishes and the like will not be edited out of the final product photos.  And don’t worry, if anything happens like lipstick on the teeth, I will let you know!

8.       Not required.  Remember that wearing makeup is a personal choice and can differ from person to person.  If you are not comfortable wearing any makeup – you certainly don’t need to for these purposes!  However, if you do like to express yourself using makeup, feel free to.