MAKE-UP FOR A PHOTOSHOOT: Great Tips From an Industry Expert

When investing in a professional photoshoot, you want to make sure you look your very best in every single photo. The right MAKE-UP can be crucial for getting images you will love. One way is to hire a professional who knows how to make you feel and look like a million dollars. Or, you can do your own research, try a make-up look you like at home and see how well it works BEFORE your photo session.

Today I’ve teamed up with NOVA STANLEY (Blank Canvas Beauty), an industry professional, to give you some hands-on advice on how to look great in photos as a result of appropriate make-up. Let’s break it down to different photo sessions you might be going for…

Make-up for a photoshoot: Different types of sessions

HEADSHOTS Session:

In order to get headshots that will get you booked, make sure you look like you. You want casting directors to be able to recognise you after auditions, so keep it natural.

For a neat natural look put on a bit of mascara to emphasise your eyes, define your cheekbones slightly and go for a natural muted coloured lipstick. Remember, your face will be the focus of the images. So try to avoid distracting jewellery or excessive makeup. The casting team needs to be able to envision you when looking at your photo; it’s the only physical reminder of you they have long after your audition.

Keep it natural! Casting directors want to see the REAL YOU in order to imagine you in a range of roles. The more authentic the image is, the more your chances are of getting the job.

Are you getting ready for a headshot session? Feel free to check out my headshot guide here.

BODYSHOTS & DANCE PORTRAIT Session:

During your photoshoot, especially a dance session, you want to create an illusion. Depending on a dance style and a look you have in mind, think of it as a BIG PICTURE. You want everything to go in line: your make-up, hair, outfit, even the background colours and the overall feel. Nova suggests it’s a great idea to make a MOODBOARD, to put all your inspiration sources together and look how it works together.

For a BALLET dance photoshoot for example, you won’t have a bold make-up. You want to go for a soft look to compliment your dress or outfit, in order to create a beautiful soft production. Also, think of blank or muted colour backgrounds. “If your make up is sharp and edgy, it wouldn’t just fit,” says Nova, “you’ve got to keep it in line.”

For a CONTEMPORARY dance session, try going for a more natural look. Slight smokey eyes would suit well. Just make sure it suits the illusion you’re trying to create.

STREET dance or CONTEMPORARY JAZZ photo session is where you can bring high definition cheeks, red lips, and more defined eyes. Think of it more like a stage make-up: you want the audience to be able to see your expressions from afar, so go for a more vivid, bold look. Also, your hair makes a difference. If your hair is down, you don’t want too much make-up because the hair might cover it. If you have an up-do, you want a more distinct look, as your face will be more shown. For example, if you have massive locks, don’t put on too much make up as it will be too busy.

Are you unsure how to prepare for your upcoming dance photoshoot? Read this!

LIFESTYLE Photoshoot:

Your lifestyle photoshoot look purely depends on your lifestyle. If you’re a high profile person you would want an actual make-up, for others to be able to see you have a make-up on. If you’re an athlete, go for a very natural make-up and contouring your cheekbones. You can do the same to define you’re muscles (it will look amazing in the photos!). Chest: define your collar bone, your abs a bit more. All these details will be picked up on camera very well. Make-up will just define what’s already there, no photoshop will be needed! It’s Real!
Celebrities have so much photoshopping, any lumps and bumps, but now you want to be you, real you. You want to emphasise you as a person to appreciate your beauty and the body you’ve got.

GENERAL advice on make-up for a photoshoot:

If its a family photoshoot: quite a natural make-up, so you look you. Avoid smokey eyes and go for something fitting with the surroundings. Make up is science: a bit of mascara, defined features, neutral tones.

To look great in pictures, slightly define and emphasise you’re features. Let’s say you’ve got green eyes, clear green eyes, and you want to make them pop in a picture – add that little bit more of make-up to enhance them. So in the photos you’re drawn to the eyes.

If you’ve got perfectly shaped lips, cover any blemishes, and focus on the lips. So rather it all be everything, focus on one area. It could be also high definition eyebrows. You could focus on something you’re wearing and compliment it with same tone range make-up to match. Foundation, mascara, muted colour on your lips. That’s more like a day make-up look. Taking away your natural redness completely changes the look, but you still look natural. 

This is all for this week. I hope you enjoyed it! If you have any questions about make-up for a photoshoot, feel free to ask in the comment section below!

Contact NOVA STANLEY for your make-up for your next photoshoot!