Saturday, December 10, 2011

Makeup for a professional Photograph

I needed to get a formal professional photograph clicked a while ago. Before I became the makeup junkie that I am now, I would just brush my hair and get a pic clicked. But now, I couldn't do that. It would be a makeup crime. Right? I had no idea how to do makeup for a professional photo and so I read around a bit. Here are the points that stuck home the most:

  1. Do not use products with SPF on your face. The flash would make it look lighter. How many times have you read this? Ten thousand three hundred and fifty nine? Unfortunately, all my foundations and powders had SPF in them and I was not going to buy something for a one time use only. Then it hit me that the flash has to hit you in the face directly for the whitish cast. In a studio, there is sufficient lighting to take a flashless pic. If your photographer does not do it, you can request that. Mine did not use the flash and I do not think I looked like I was trying to celebrate Halloween in the middle of summer.
  2. Carry a comb and compact for last minute touch up. I second this. Totally. Specially when you have to wait in the studio and are sweating buckets. A compact and comb will help.
  3. Use Matt makeup! I picked this from Michelle Phan. Don't know who that is? Google her! You don't want any glitter or shimmer for a professional pic now. Do you?
  4. Keep it Au Naturale. I always find red lipstick or overdone blush distracting in an official environment. Even if you can carry it off brilliantly, your application form is not the place for it. You need to look groomed. Not made up.
  5. Pay attention to your brows. If it is just your face being photographed, brown will enjoy a prominent position. They can just make or break your look. They need to be well groomed and not overly filled. Strong brows may be in now, but do you need to sport them here? Think about that.
  6. Dress for a white background. Now this is my own observation. A lot of official pics for i-cards, visa etc will demand a white background. It make sense to get them clicked and use everywhere instead of getting different ones. Btw, White and Blue are the most commonly mandated background colours. You could get them both clicked and printed at the same time and use whenever needed. So, coming back to the outfit colour. Very light and pastel shades will wash out when you pose in front of a white background. Chances are the photographer will edit and change the colour to 'Super White' (sounds like a detergent tagline) So, your outfit needs to be able to hold its own. Black, Navy, Blue are good options for White. If you are going for a double colour background, Maroon can be worn. Alternatively, you can carry a grey blazer and wear over balck / blue shirt when switching from white to blue. It does not have to match your trousers. Who is gonna see them?
And finally, after all that gyaan, here is what I looked like after my pic was taken...


I have used sunblock, foundation, compact, mascara, kajal, lipstick and blush. And yes, I did touch up just before the shot was taken.

21 comments:

  1. nice tips .. n yups Hats off to michelle phan ...luv her !!

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  2. woww-I wonder if I have ever seen such a perfect formal photo!!! awesome!!! and gr8 tips too :) :)

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  3. @ Rids, oh yes... she is awesome! I learnt loads from her....

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  4. @ Anuradha, gee... thanks! its a big big compliment!!!

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  5. i loved the way pic came out Anks :)

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  6. Thanks for the detailed post Anks, will keep in mind when want to go for a professional photograph done. And your pic has come out really well, groomed and not made up. :-)

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  7. @ Eesha, you are most welcome Eesha :) am glad the final outcome is like this and you guys agree with me...

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  8. WOWWWW Sooo useful post and I absolutely loved your pic! Awesome post! I am keeping all points with me now! Thnx

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  9. @ Manya, thanks a bunch.. hop this helps when you want to get urs clicked :)

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  10. hey anks ... lovely post babes and will note down all the points babes :D :D

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  11. Heyy Rashmi, thanks a lot for your appreciation... :)

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  12. I like your pic here :) very clean & fresh :)

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  13. great post, noted down all the points

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  14. @ Rentu... thanks, I hope they are useful :)

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  15. @ Bidisha, thanks... am glad this helps :)

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