Five Ways Professional Hair & Makeup Enhance Portraits
by Olivia Warren
Photography by Misty/Looks by Liv
With the rise of artificial intelligence and digital alteration, the art of hair and makeup can be diminished when it comes to professional headshots. Why are hair and makeup services necessary when everything can be fixed in post? Here are 5 reasons to incorporate personalized services into your next photoshoot:
It boosts people’s confidence!
- Naturally enhances favorite features while minimizing insecurities
- Tweaks to one’s physical appearance can inspire attitude adjustments
- Creates a safe space for vulnerable communication
Photoshoots, especially professional headshots, can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone. The pressure to put one’s best foot forward can cause a person to get in their head instead of enjoying the experience. Through the utilization of hair and makeup services, the artist is able to assist the client in minimizing any worries. While alterations can completely change one’s appearance, naturally enhancing one’s features is the strategically beautiful way to go.
For example, while doing a client’s makeup for PBMisty, the client, G, initially entered the room expressing concern about the appearance of her jawline. Though this insecurity was at the forefront of G’s mind, I noticed that she had beautiful eyes. I was able to use eyeshadow and contouring skills to create a look that drew attention toward the G’s eyes and away from her jawline. Once the concern of her appearance was removed, G was able to focus on enjoying herself throughout the shoot. It was incredible to speak with her and assist in reshifting her perspective.
As a makeup artist, conversing can set the tone of the entire shoot. When the client feels heard, they start opening up, ultimately relaxing throughout the session. When a photography session starts with personal services, the more positive the experience.
It’s customizable!
- The client is able to assist in decision-making
- Anything can be changed
- It’s a learning experience for the client and artist every time
To some, personalized services seem like a luxury. For others, it can be anxiety-inducing - and rightfully so! Someone you just met is basically looking at your face & hair under a magnifying glass. All this while divulging your insecurities.
As mentioned previously, the conversations between the hair/makeup artist and the client can be a quick and easy way to understand what the client is feeling. Our goal as artists, whether that be hair, makeup, or photography, is to make sure our clients feel and look their best. This does not always mean we know exactly how to do that on the first try. That is why it is very important to communicate and ask a lot of questions, showing the client the process throughout.
One client (we’ll call her J) did not wear makeup regularly in her personal life. Throughout J’s services, I made sure to ask her a lot of questions, and hand her a mirror frequently. Seeing herself done-up caused J to worry she did not look like herself. Through communication and adjustment, I was able to tone down any parts of her makeup she was uncomfortable with, while easing her newfound concern.
Each time I do a client’s makeup, I am able to learn different ways to listen to their worries and create solutions. I am also able to explain products and their uses to whoever’s makeup I am doing, so they can potentially recreate the look at home themselves. Each experience is an opportunity to provide our clients with stellar services. If they look good, we look good (win, win!).
When an artist exhibits active listening and adjustment, the client feels understood, and welcome to ask more questions. J reached out to me afterward, asking for screenshots of each product I used, and shade recommendations. She then mentioned a big reason she wasn’t wearing makeup regularly is because she hadn’t found products she loved as much as these! Thank you Charlotte Tilbury, you have done it again.
It keeps up with the trends!
- Tips and tricks are constantly evolving
- New products are always being created
- New ways to create timeless looks
With the rise of social media (as well as the time spent at home during the pandemic), new hair and makeup tips, trends, and products are constantly emerging. Currently trending: is to look as natural as possible while still using the same products one would use for a dramatic look. The difference is the specific formulas designed for each product, and the amount used. For example, using more of a lightweight foundation, instead of a smaller amount of a full coverage foundation, to produce a more ‘skin-like’ finish.
Makeup is constantly reinventing itself, and providing a way to beautify a person’s natural features to produce timeless looks. Cream products have been a huge life saver when it comes to “natural” makeup. It is funny to think of this as a new trend, considering the first forms of makeup were cream products. Misty, the founder of Photography by Misty and my darling boss, recently mentioned the use of contouring was not as prominent when she was a teen, but has really changed the game. Upon delving into some research, I found that contouring was invented around the 1940s! (Wayyyyyy before Misty was a teen).
Another way the experience of hair and makeup services can be a learning opportunity is when our clients share their Pinterest boards of new looks they would like to emulate. While it is imperative to keep up with growing trends as an artist, oftentimes our clients introduce us to something new (or something old which can be made new again).
Hair and makeup services not only provide a way for clients to stay on trend, but everyone involved as well! How cool is that? For years, PBMisty had a monthly headshot event in collaboration with a blowout salon (essentially a salon that offers styling with hair drying techniques to produce a smooth look without the use of flat irons or curlers). Recounting the experience, Misty shared, “Not only did I look forward to meeting new people, but each month I learned at least one new tip or trick to looking my best."
It’s like editing IRL (in real life, just in case you didn’t know!)
- Less focus on editing/fixing things in post
- Intentional as to which features are being accented, and which are being masked
- The client can be more excited to see the results
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, photographers and clients know the photos are going to be edited before the final product is released. That does not mean it is something to rely on entirely, especially when our goal is to create a positive experience.
Hair and makeup services can be a way of editing in real life. This can sway conversation away from digital alteration, and refocus the client’s attention to enjoying their shoot. It is much easier for someone to feel comfortable in an unnatural pose for a headshot when they’re not worried about flyaway hairs.
Masking insecurities and drawing attention to a person’s best features can also serve as a way to assist the photographer on what to focus or not focus on. With the joint collaboration between patron, hair/makeup artist, and photographer, the client can be much more excited for their finished photos. Hey, they already feel confident their pictures will look good without editing!
It can bring inspiration!
- The photographer may be able to notice something new
- Confidence can bring forth a call to action
- The client is excited to do this again
Remember G, who has the beautiful eyes and whose jawline I was able to contour? Highlighting her eyes inspired Misty to choose a backdrop to further enhance those hazel beauties. Oh the things we learn and the headshots we take!!! When we all collaborate to paint people in their best light, the journey, the wow moments, and the end results are unimaginable. The process and the confidence which goes with it, sets our clients and photographers up for success - ultimately resulting in creativity and fun.
Because J, who I mentioned earlier, was feeling inspired (and at ease) after her personalized makeup services, she ended up deciding not only to take a professional headshot, but capture a dating portrait, too! Like SuperWoman, she hurried to the bathroom and came out looking hot hot hot!!
In conclusion, offering hair and makeup services for any special event is an easy way to provide an over-the-top experience for everyone involved. The hair/makeup artists, photographers, and clients each have the opportunity to assist in creating a wonderful finished product. By providing a safe space, hair and makeup services help subside the disconnect between artist and patron, allowing the entire process to feel more personable. I’d like to see a computer do that!
By the way, if any hair and makeup establishments are interested in scheduling a monthly headshot event with Photography by Misty, read our follow-up blog, “New Home Wanted”. Let’s work together to make the world a more beautiful place!
So ... what are you waiting for, let's get this party started.
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