Make-up tips, A Pro Photographer’s thoughts on Using Makeup for Womens Portrait Sittings

Talking makeup with a Pro Photographer:

I know my makeup ladies and some of you gals, "omg!"

When it comes to knowing good and bad makeup jobs and photographing countless numbers of people, I fit right in to that group. I’ve been photographing large numbers of people and countless numbers of single portrait sittings for years now. Think high-school portraits, weddings, engagement portraits, etc., just so you can get the "picture." This year marks my 25th year as a professional studio owner.

I have two art degrees, one from Antonelli School of Art and Photography and one From Temple. (Both in Philadelphia, USA)

Over the years I’ve seen it all walk into my photo studio and the truth is, some people photograph incredibly with their makeup applications and some people don’t, it's just the way it is." Some people look as if they crashed into the mountain (It's that bad) and a few select people leave me "shaking my head." These people that make my head shake, well, they need hire a pro do their makeup as they are obviously blind or something. (Maybe color blind, there needs to be a study done on this subject)

Quality makeup in photography: It's not about being mean, I want to help!

I say this not to hurt, but rather to educate the masses. This one little article will make the world a much prettier place.

There are a few people out there who are fortunate enough and who are able to, "pull off a quality photo shoot without any make-up what-so-ever." These lucky people do exist and I call these clients my "auto-pilot portrait sittings." They are stunning no matter what lighting, with no makeup, just amazing; They are also far and few between, almost everyone can use a little makeup, even me.

So how good are you with your make-up, are you happy with your current “look?” Will your professional photographer be upset by a shoddy, quick makeup job when you walk in the door?

The nuts and bolts question; Are you able to apply your make-up easily and will the photographer love what she/he sees?

No matter the answer, I want you to know that we pro photographers "do gasp at bad makeup jobs" during our photographic sessions. Sorry, but it’s true. It's not only true, but sadly, we know ahead of the session that it makes some people photograph really bad, giving some of our clients a "caked on fake" or "silly" look.

The only makeup "caked on people" I want in my studio, are clowns. OK? (OK, I'm kidding a little bit, lighten up)

Why is a great makeup job important for a professional portrait session?

Today’s cameras are so powerful and the glass used in their lenses, so sharp, that every little wrinkle and every pore shows up in the photographers’ viewfinder. If we want, photographers with skills can blur the focus a bit (We call this a “soft” image BTW) but the best bet, or move is to have your ducks in a row by having your make up jobs done right. As professionals we want our photographs and clients looking sharp! We want the eyes to pop and the lips to shine!

We do not want Bozo the Clown. (No offense Bozo)

If you can’t apply make-up well, or if you don’t know the first thing about cosmetics or what to do with them in the first place, take a class, or read up on the subject via the internet or better yet, hire a pro make-up artist for your next photo session. In many cases these hair stylists will even come with you to the studio for touch-ups throughout your shoot.

With Makeup, Try to Avoid super heavy applications and intense colors.

Yes, Makeup is very important ladies, especially on picture days. Lips, eyes, and skin are everything in a professional photograph; (The right clothes as well girls, but I'll need to cover this subject in a whole other article) *When you apply your make-up, always make it the goal for make-up to; “add to the images quality” without “taking over the image.”

Help us make you look stunning in pictures ladies! It takes a village!

Caked on, overly done, "quick make-up hatchet jobs" done on the car ride to the studio, are not the ways to go for a professional photo shoot. (If great images are wanted) I guess some would even say, that makeup shouldn't even be applied by a few, if it's going to be done so poorly and that "maybe" in this case, people are better off not having any make-up at all.

Ladies, simply put, photographers cringe when we have people dressing wrong, or having "incredibly bad looking makeup jobs" for our pro photo shoots. And while I know it might seem a bit harsh of me, to state all that I do in this article, all of you must trust me, and all of you need to follow all the important steps to a fantastic photo session when using makeup, Ladies, let's get it right!

My suggestion when it comes to make-up for my clients sessions:

If you would like to read more on the subject and receive my pro photographers tips on the best make-up going today, Click this highlighted link, which will take you to an article I wrote covering the Cindy Crawford Meaningful Beauty product line. It's an article on my Photo Coaching Web site, the site is totally free to subscribe and visit, so come say hi soon.