The Importance of Professional Hair & Makeup

Here at the Studio, we are often asked if it is really "worth it" to have a professional hair and makeup artist style you for a portrait session. We've always known the value of professional makeup application, but we decided to put it to the test yesterday so you can see for yourself.

Above, you will see Beth, one of our stylists, posing for a boudoir session. In the image on the left, she applied her own makeup and styled her hair as she would to prepare for a night out. On the right, our makeup artist Kelly Bush applied professional makeup and touched up her hair to accentuate her best features on camera. This allowed for a much more inviting, youthful and polished look that brought out the beauty in her eyes.

To the naked eye, a woman's normal makeup application looks great, but because of the intensity of a professional camera lens and strobe lighting, a professional artist knows where to highlight and contour to look your best on camera.

Below Wil, an actor who had never used makeup in his headshots before, allowed us to apply makeup and found that the tone of his skin looks much better on camera. The texture is smoother, less shiny and more even.

Read more about the benefits of professional hair and makeup application in the article below by Mandarich Media Group.

The Importance of Professional Hair & Make-up

Mandarich Media Group Article

The professional photographer utilizes a variety of tools to make his/her trade successful. Among the most important and least talked about is the definitive color and flair offered by a professional make-up artist. His work can make the difference between success and failure. Or perhaps, more accurately, professional makeup can make the difference between a stunning set of photos and a ho-hum set.

Many models apply their own makeup and feel comfortable doing so. However, the expertise and insight offered by a third person, who is also professionally trained, can make a contribution not available otherwise. For example, often a model uses an application that she developed over time, not realizing it may have become outdated and is not appropriate for the unique requirements of a photo shoot. The professional makeup artist is always current on fashion makeup and is able to use that information to lay the groundwork for a successful ‘look’.

Every model, whether male or female, has something unusual and unique about her/his appearance. It may be bone structure, or contour of eyes or mouth, or shape and tilt of nose… or some other eye-catching feature. The model’s hair may be unusually striking in color or texture or length or shape. Whatever features the model brings to the photo shoot can be emphasized and strengthened by a professional makeup artist. And that emphasis can then be highlighted by the photographer with light, pose and angle.

The professional makeup artist introduces herself to the model, creating a sense of trust and comfort with her expertise. She asks what the model likes and dislikes about her appearance, and discusses what visual effects they want to create together. The makeup artist knows he cannot accomplish his work without the cooperation of the model.

‘Looks’ are also created with makeup. Innocent, foxy, inviting, beguiling, stern and scolding, and many more, can all be generated with makeup.

The photographer knows when to snap the shutter to achieve a striking photo that captures every element in a ‘just right’ place. Equally important, the makeup artist knows how to bring out striking qualities in the face and hair to make the total look ‘just right’. Color added to face and around eyes in the right way will make a feature look larger or smaller, depending on how color is applied; cheeks can be made to stand out or recede; eyes can be made to look larger or smaller; a round face can be made thinner and a thin face rounder. Outlining eyes or mouth will create emphasis, again depending on application and heaviness or thinness of lines.

He/she also knows how to minimize physical attributes that could detract from a quality photo. Makeup can camouflage all kinds of physical sins! But the makeup artist knows whether the ‘sin’ should be camouflaged or emphasized and her work is completed accordingly.

The model and photographer often cooperate with the makeup artist in decisions regarding how makeup is applied and hair is designed. The professional makeup artist isn’t a prima dona; she knows input from others is important to the total success of the photo shoot. The combination of her people skills and professional expertise contribute significantly to the success of the work.