Getting ready to have your pictures taken? Here’s my checklist to make you look your best in the camera lens:
1. Prepare your skin and let it regenerate through the night.
You’ll want your skin to glow during the photoshoot so remember to take care of it properly the night before. Keep your skin hydrated – face mask, peel or scrub with plenty of good hydrating skin cream or serum. Do remember to do your arms and legs as well! ALSO, apply your body lotions prior to the photoshoot.
2. Remember your beauty sleep.
Skin produces collagen and regenerates when you sleep so go to bed early the night before. It’s especially important before the photoshoot therefore avoid the late night partying (most of the top models admit that a long sleep is one of the best ways to prepare).
3. Wash your hair just before.
This is an important one. Wash your hair just before the photoshoot, DO NOT do it the night before. It’s one of the things you can’t photoshop, so make it look fresh and shiny.
4. Stronger makeup than usual.
A camera will “wash out” half of your makeup. What’ll seem to be over-the-top, bold makeup in the flesh will result in an almost invisible, natural look on camera. This is what all my clients and models say.
– With a makeup artist’s help
If the makeup artist is around – DO NOTHING, just sit back and relax. He or she will make sure your best features are emphasised and will adjust accordingly to the light and photoshoot situation.
– When doing make-up yourself
Do it as usual but stronger and pay attention to a few details:
BOLD EYE
For an extra spectacular effect go for a bold eye. The eyes are the window to the soul and when taking pictures I always try to focus on them. If the theme of the photoshoot allows it make the eyes strong so they instantly draw attention.
CONTOUR THE FACE
Building the form with shadow and light is very important in photography.
The trick to slim your face is to contour it with lighter and darker tones.
Apply the darker tones to the areas under your cheekbones and close to the hairline. Highlight the forehead, cheekbones, nose and chin with lighter tones.
That will give your face a enhanced model-like 3D look. In most cases there’s no harm in overdoing your makeup as it will look much lighter in the camera anyway.
COVER IMPERFECTIONS
Apply the foundation properly so imperfections are not visible but don’t worry, small blemishes can be removed in postproduction anyway. Try to make your skin colour look even, cover the red areas.
5. Chill.
One of the most difficult things on set is to overcome stage-fright. Suddenly all the crew’s eyes are on you and it can be challenging.
As a photographer I always try to make the model comfortable, make a joke or two, anything (within reason) to get them to relax. Try to keep in mind the things that relax you and trust in the photographer to get ‘The Shot’.
6. Relax your shoulders.
When you feel shy your body will reflect that. You’ll stoop and try to hide yourself. Remember to straighten up and relax your shoulders.
7. Chin forward.
To make your neck look longer and slimmer pull your chin away from your body. “Chin forward, shoulders down” – that should be like a mantra in your head.
8. Try different positions.
As there is no perfect position that works for everybody, try a lot of different ones: chin up, chin down, face straight to the camera, show the side of your face or try your hands up over your head for example. Practice in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable. Personally, I usually ask the model to keep one position for three shots and then change. Have fun with it.
