Photo Session Tips – Top 10 Tips for Hair & Make Up

Here’s our top 10 photo session tips for getting camera ready – HAIR, SKIN, and MAKEUP EDITION! Whether you’ve booked a family photography session, a high school senior, or headshot session, if your schedule and budget allow, it’s always great to work with a professional hair and make-up artist. But it’s also very possible to look absolutely amazing when getting ready on your own. These 10 tips are easy and straightforward (but often overlooked) – and they make a big difference in your photos!

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Even if you don’t wear make up, moisturize your face, of course, but don’t forget your neck & decolletage and especially your hands. A moisturizer with hyaluronic acid will do an even better job of keeping things hydrated. (If you’re a teenager this is probably less relevant to you!0
2. If you wear make-up use a full coverage foundation that provides a luminous matte finish. This will leave you with the most flawless complexion. Please reach out for recommendations if you don’t already have one you love!
3. Skip the trend of erasing your eyebrows and go the opposite route – lightly fill them in! This will go a long way in helping to frame your face.
4. If you wear blush and mascara, apply just a little more than usual. It will help your features pop.
5. Don’t forget those lips! Apply some lip balm or chapstick before you leave the house. This one goes for the guys too. Dry, crackly lips are not are a good look on anyone –  lip balm is a MUST!
6. If you wear lipstick, choose one that’s 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural lip color. Again, reach out if you don’t already have a brand you love. And don’t forget to bring it with you to reapply during the session if needed.
7. Lightly powder that t-zone with a translucent powder even if you’re not overly oily. And bring your powder compact with you! A hydrating setting spray can also add some staying power.
8. Avoid a ton of shimmer. If you like to glow, and glitter is your thing, then by all means include it in your look, but go easy and try to limit it to one feature –lips, cheeks, or eyes.
9. A dab of pomade is great for taming those flyaways, and you really just need the tiniest bit. Hair spray works too, but can get a little crunchy. Bring whichever you prefer with you for touch-ups.
10. And last, but certainly not least – plan ahead and do a trial run. If you’d like to cut or color your hair before your session, try to do it about 2 weeks prior. This will give you some time to style and play with it, and allows for a more lived in look.  If you’re buying new make up or skincare, be sure to try out the products a few times to see how they’ll wear on your skin. You’ll want to look like yourself, but the best possible version of yourself!

Work these photo session tips into your routine and you’ll be more than camera ready. We’re here to help along the way and love to assist in curating your look – whether it be hair, skin, makeup, wardrobe or accessories. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, or if you just need a little advice. You can find more tips for headshot and branding sessions here, high school senior sessions here, and family sessions here.

Kidlette is a full-service Michigan photographer specializing in high school senior, family, and personal brand storytelling sessions in Metro Detroit, serving Rochester Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Grosse Pointe, and beyond.