Photo Shoot Makeup Tips
Makeup
I recommend using a professional makeup artist to help you prepare for the shoot. Since doing makeup for a photoshoot is different than normal applications, using a makeup artist will ensure you look great in your pictures. A professional makeup artist will know how to apply makeup for the camera, how to match your skin tone, how to select colors that make your features pop, how to contour and bring out the correct amount of shadow or highlight, etc. You’ll look and feel amazing which will make a huge difference in the images.
I understand that there are times that using a makeup artist is not feasible or desirable so I’ve provided some tips and suggestions below that will help if you do the makeup yourself.
Products
Use quality brands because cheaper brands will make your skin appear cracked and wrinkly in the pictures. Avoid products with sunscreen, mineral products and products that are shimmery or glittery. Use Matte products and use powder (but not HD powder) instead of liquid because it’s easier to blend.
When applying your foundation, it is best to use a damp sponge or foundation brush rather than wiping your foundation on your skin with your hands to avoid uneven coverage or streaking.
Skin Prep
Wash and moisturize your face first so you’ll start on a fresh canvas. Then apply a thin layer of primer paying special attention to the areas under your eyes, on your nose, on your forehead and on cheekbones.
Application
Apply your makeup in good light. If possible, use natural light near a window during the application.
Foundation and Powders
Select the closest possible shade to your skin tone. Any variations in tone may look awkward and will be obvious in photos.
Don’t over apply your makeup because it will stand out in pictures. Try to make your skin look natural but flawless.
Contouring and Highlighting
Both contouring and highlighting are extremely important for photo shoots. Use a matte finish contour under your cheekbones, along your temples, and under your jawline. This will add definition and depth to your face. After contouring, highlight your cheekbones and cupid’s bow in the same places the light would hit them naturally.
Eyes
The eyes are often the most important part of the subject in a photo shoot and they need to pop. Use black eyeliner and mascara (instead of brown or gray). Fake eyelashes can be used and will look amazing if applied correctly. However, if they are not applied correctly, they start coming unglued, they irritate your eyes, etc. they’ll ruin your pictures.
Eyeshadow colors should accentuate your eyes. Blues and greens tend to look better with warmer shades like golden browns, peaches, or reddish browns, while hazel eyes pair well with purples, grays, and pinks. Brown eyes tend to be neutral, pairing well with nearly any color. Using a lighter shade for the inner corner, a medium shade for the rest of the eyelid and a darker shade for the crease will add definition and depth to your eyes.
Eyebrows
Wax or pluck a few days before the shoot so that they’re clean, defined, but not irritated. Don’t wax or pluck on the day of the shoot. When applying makeup on the day of the shoot you want to fill them in. It’s easy for eyebrows to get washed out in pictures so darkening is extremely beneficial.
Blush and Lips
Depending on the camera, lighting and other factors your makeup may be substantially softened in the images. Due to this you need to apply more color to your cheeks and lips than usual. Use brighter colors, especially on your lips, as natural hues and nudes are harder to capture on camera. If possible, apply gloss to your lips to make them appear fuller and plumper.
The Finishing Touches
Ensure everything is blended properly and that you haven’t missed anything. Once you feel confident with the look, use setting spray to ensure the makeup stays intact. You still may need to touch up during the shoot. In some settings and conditions your makeup will melt quickly. Due to this ensure you have concealer, powder, lipstick and skin blotters on hand.
Portrait Photography Social Distancing
As we start to do business under the new normal that includes social distancing, many people have questions about how we can maintain a safe distance while doing a photo shoot. To help put this in perspective I took a few sample images that show the capabilities of various lenses.
All three pictures below were taken with a full frame camera at 25 feet but at different focal lengths. The images are uncropped and unedited so you can see what comes directly out of the camera.
This picture was taken with a 50MM lens which is one of the favorites of portrait photographers. However, it requires the photographer to get fairly close especially when shooting head shots or a small child. I rarely used my 50MM before and will use it even less now.
This picture was taken with a 100MM lens and this is also a common focal length for many portrait photographers. As you can see, even at 25 feet this is ideal for shooting an individual or small family. At that distance it is perfect for full body or family portraiture. A couple of steps closer and the photographer can get head shots. A couple of steps back and the photographer can get a full family while they are moving around.
This picture was taken with a 400MM lens and I would not recommend using it for portraits. To get a full body shot the photographer would need to at least double the distance which would then make communicating with each other difficult. However, this is a great lens for capturing a child or dog playing in a field or large yard.
As you can see, maintaining safe distances while getting your picture taken is not a problem as long as the photographer has the proper equipment.
If you still have questions or concerns regarding this topic please feel free to reach out and I'll do my best to provide additional information.
Finding a Photographer
Finding a photographer can be a little daunting because there are so many options and factors to consider. It is also something that people do not do regularly and in many cases you may not even be aware of how critical some of these factors are or how they can have a major impact on the success of your photography session. I am going to give my feedback on how to find a photographer and hopefully this will be helpful regardless of who you end up choosing.
As you research photographers, you will find that pricing is all over the place and types of images vary from photographer to photographer. There is not necessarily a right way or wrong way with either of these items and each photographer will conduct business based on what works for them.
Pricing
The first item on my list was pricing so I will start with that. I cannot get into specifics on how each photographer establishes their pricing packages, but I will tell you that in many cases you get what you pay for. You find this in various industries and the same is true with photography. If someone is offering prices that are well below what is normal in your area, be careful. They may not have the skill level as other photographers, they may not have the higher end equipment as other photographers, they may not have good customer service skills which is hindering their business, etc. There are numerous other reasons but if their prices are cheaper than everyone else, there is a reason why and you may end up paying for it in the long run.
As I am writing this, we are going through a pandemic so I will add a caveat to pricing structures. Just like many other industries, photographers are financially hurting right now. As things open back up, I have a feeling that many photographers will offer discounts to get their businesses moving again. People are also concerned about even doing photography sessions due to the virus so there will be fewer clients to share between photographers. This may drive pricing down in the short term, but this an anomaly. The comments I made about getting what you pay for applies to normal circumstances and unfortunately things are far from normal right now. However, you should be cautious if hiring a photographer at rock bottom prices regardless of what is going on in the world.
I know pricing is incredibly important, but my advice would be to put price comparisons on hold during your initial research of photographers. I will go over a few additional items that you should consider then get back to pricing.
Photography Style
Each photographer has their own style with their images, and this should be your first consideration. Photography is subjective and if you have ten different photographers take pictures of a subject, you will end up with ten unique images.
This applies to both the content and post processing. While physically taking the picture angles will be different, lighting will be different, posing guidance will be different, cropping will be different, etc. Post processing will affect brightness, contrast, saturation, removing minor blemishes, etc. Some photographer’s images are bright with low contrast, others may be dark and dramatic. Some photographers will do major alterations to the images while others may only do minor adjustments.
None of the photographers or pictures are right or wrong. They are just different based on the style and artistic nature of the photographer. You want a photographer that produces images that you find appealing. However, this does not mean there is only one photographer for you. It means there are a group of photographers that you should consider and a group of photographers that you may want to eliminate from consideration.
You should also consider the location that will be required for the type of images you want created. If you want to do a fashion shoot in a studio, then the photographer will need to have a studio available and the skills to use it. If you want pictures taken in your house or another indoor location, the photographer will need to have lighting equipment and lenses that will be compatible for this type of shoot. If you want lifestyle pictures of your family at a local park, then the photographer needs to have the skills and equipment to do this type of shoot. If you want action shots of your children playing sports or your dog fetching a ball in the park, the appropriate camera and lens are critical.
This may seem like a minor issue but doing photography in these various locations is completely different. Skills need to be developed for each of these types of shoots and the equipment needed is a little different. Some photographers are well versed at shooting in all the locations mentioned above and have the necessary equipment while others may specialize in only one area.
Full-Time Photographer
During your search you will find that there are many part-time photographers. They do this to either supplement their income or as a hobby. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but you should consider the difference between part-time and full-time photographers when making your hiring decision. Full-time photographers have business insurance and operate legally. Full-time photographers may be more reliable because they count on this income to pay their bills. Full-time photographers are more likely to have a back up camera and equipment. Full-time photographers typically invest in professional development on a continuous basis.
A full-time photographer is typically dedicated to this profession and will be a resource for years to come. They are more likely to have the talent to help you create amazing images and the experience to overcome any issues that arise (weather, uncooperative children, etc.). A part-time photographer is doing this as a side job or hobby, they may or may not provide the same experience or product.
Consultation
Do you require any type of consultation before or after your shoot? If you have specific needs, wants or requirements with the images then this information will need to be conveyed prior to the shoot. If you need assistance after the shoot with printing, producing a modeling comp card or anything else is this available?
There are dozens of reasons for needing consultation and you should consider this when hiring a photographer. There is typically only minimal consultation needed which can be done over the phone, via e-mail or in person. However, if you need more in-depth consultation, you will need to hire a photographer that is able and willing to accommodate this requirement.
Other Considerations
Contracts are critical to protect both parties and should be executed prior to any payments being made or services rendered. This is a normal business practice and legitimate businesses will require documentation for legal, insurance and accounting purposes. If a contract is not required, this is a red flag.
One of the most stressful components of doing a photo shoot is picking out clothing and doing makeup. Your photographer may be able to alleviate much of this stress if they offer any resources or guidance in these areas. The amount of assistance needed will vary based on each individual or type of shoot so it may or may not be something to consider when hiring a photographer.
Now that you have considered all the areas mentioned above, it is time to get back to pricing. As mentioned previously, pricing varies widely from photographer to photographer. Some will charge a sitting fee or session fee then you pay for images separately. Some will have all inclusive packages which will include the session and images. There are also numerous variations that may be a mixture of the two.
None of the pricing structures are right or wrong. One pricing structure may fit what you need perfectly but not work for someone else. You may also end up paying the same amount for two different photographers even though they have different pricing structures. Just be careful that you understand the add on costs and have taken this into account prior to committing to a specific photographer. As mentioned previously, if you hire a cheap photographer you may end up with a less desirable experience and lower quality images.
Just like I cannot comment on other photographer’s pricing structures, I cannot comment on your budget or needs. This varies from person to person but if you follow the advice above, you should find a photographer that truly fits your needs and you will end up with some amazing images.
Final Thoughts
Your mood and feelings have a profound effect on the images so regardless of who you select as your photographer, have fun during the shoot.
My Photography Journey
A couple of decades ago when my children were young, I decided to get a nice camera so I invested in a mid-range Canon camera and lens. This would allow me to take good pictures of them and of my family’s travels. At that time I thought that just having a nice camera would result in me having really good pictures. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
I quickly realized that in order to effectively use the camera and take the quality of images that I was looking for I would need to learn a lot more about aperture, shutter speed, white balance, etc. I initially learned on my own by reading photography books and magazines. This was extremely helpful but was a slow, tedious process. I would read, practice with my camera, analyze the images, then adjust my camera settings or methods as needed. This process was repeated countless times as I took pictures of family members, sunsets, animals, flowers, etc. Over time I became quite proficient but still felt like something was missing.
I decided to take in person photography classes so I could continue to grow and learn. The first classes were about basic photography and were not really that helpful from a technical sense because I had already gained much of this knowledge from my self-studies. However, the first instructor that I had was instrumental in all of my future equipment purchases (I’ll get to that later).
After the basic photography classes I took more advanced photography classes, studio lighting classes, and composition classes. I met, worked with, and learned from some amazing photographers. I had professional photographers and students critique my work which was incredibly helpful. I spent countless hours in studios experimenting with lighting setups. I worked with professional models and learned about posing. I took classes on Lightroom and Photoshop so I could effectively edit images.
Even though I was extremely serious about photography and invested an enormous amount of time and money to this endeavor, I had another career that was paying my bills and allowing me to upgrade my equipment as I was learning. Based on feedback that I received from my first photography instructor, I invested in top of the line lenses because they have a major impact on image quality. He also explained that while cameras are continuously being upgraded as technology changes, lenses do not follow that same pattern. As my skills increased, I went from a mid-range camera to a full-frame, premium camera. I invested in lights, lighting modifiers, stands, light meters, and numerous other items.
After many years of continued growth in photography, I decided to leave the corporate world and do something that I love. I’m now a full-time photographer and am so excited to be able to use the skills that I’ve honed over the years to help you create amazing images of your children, families, and pets.
Covid-19
Just like many other industries and businesses, photography has been dramatically affected by Covid-19. Not only has the virus caused a major financial decline within the industry, individual photographers are required to change processes and procedures to fit the new normal as things open back up. Some of these changes will be simple and others a little more complex. I’ve provided some information below on the changes that I’m making to keep us safe but if you have any questions or concerns please let me know.
Normal Interactions
The simplest but probably the most difficult due to it being habitual is not shaking hands when meeting someone. I’ve been taught my entire life that not shaking hands when you meet is disrespectful so eliminating this will take some practice to develop new habits.
Hugs are also an issue because they’re a common occurrence in some cases. After spending time with a family and in many cases working together multiple times it seems very natural to hug instead of shaking hands so this will also be an adjustment.
Session Locations
Due to the potential issues with shooting indoors (studio, in someone’s home, etc.) I will be shooting outdoors almost exclusively for the next couple of months. I prefer to shoot outside but the virus has made this more than just a preference.
The parks in our area are still closed but will be opening up in the coming weeks. They are a great place to shoot because they provide a beautiful background and they also give us the space we need to maintain distance between us.
If you’re interested in doing individual portraits or senior high school portraits in the studio let me know and we can discuss in more detail. It can be done but there are numerous other requirements that we’ll need to follow.
Social Distancing
Many photographers like using 50mm or 85mm lenses to do portraiture. This means the distance between the photographer and subject may be a little closer than what’s comfortable right now. When I started doing portraits, I was taught to always use lenses over 100mm so I already gravitate towards longer lenses.
I have several lenses that are more than 100mm which means we can easily shoot while maintaining considerable distance between us. I’m not going to get much deeper than that on this subject but am happy to expand if needed. I provided a list of my equipment in the “About the Shoot” section of my website but if you have any questions or would like more information please let me know. However, with the equipment that I have we will easily maintain two or three times the suggested social distance requirements.
Props
It’s very common to use props with children or pets because they enhance the shoot. They add fun, action and in some cases a distraction during the session. This includes things like balls, balloons, squeaky toys, flowers, bubbles, candy, etc. Due to the virus I’m no longer going to bring props to a shoot; we will only use items that you provide. This will eliminate someone outside of your family handling an item that your children or pets will be playing with. We can discuss potential props prior to the session and I can provide a ton of ideas if needed.
Other
If you have any questions about the items above or would like additional information please let me know.