If you're a professional makeup artist, you probably already know that having beautiful images and videos of your work is the best way to garner interest and clients. Without professional-looking makeup pictures, not only are you doing your work an injustice, but your clients could also be unhappy with the way they look in your photos.
Worse, lacking any kind of photos won't initiate the word-of-mouth recommendations you need to keep your business from stagnating.
No worries-creating near professional-quality photos of your makeup looks isn't as difficult as it seems. Read on for our top six tips to get you started!
1. Pay Attention to the Light
The quality of the light on your face or your client's is one of the most important aspects of a good photo. For instance, consider how you look with soft light coming through a large window versus holding a flashlight under your face in a dark room! This is a drastic example of how light can alter both the proportions, color, and texture of your face.
Natural light by facing a large window is the simplest and most effective way to get the best quality light for your portraits. If you don't have this option, consider investing in a selfie ring light that will fully brighten your face without adding any harsh, unflattering shadows.
2. Use the Back Camera
This is something many of us rarely think of, but the back camera is actually a better camera than your front-facing camera that you normally use to take selfies. Before you take the photo, situate a mirror behind the camera so you're able to take a look at yourself before you snap the photo.
You can even find mirrors that come with lights or mirrors you can stick to the back of your camera to make it even easier. Not only will your photos be of higher quality, but it will also be easier to make engaging eye-contact with the camera lens when you're not distracted by a video screen of you.
3. Use a Tripod
Using a selfie stick or tripod-or, even better, one that works as both-will help ensure that your photos are crisp and sharp. Camera shake results in blurry photos, which typically happens if your arm is getting tired or you're in a low light situation.
If you have multiple clients during the day, you'll find that having a tripod set up at a specific location will help streamline your photography process.
4. Editing
Don't be afraid to edit your photos! In fact, the majority of professional photographers consider their raw, straight out of camera photos unfinished-editing creates the final image they had in mind. Similarly, editing your photos makes them more engaging and appealing to an audience that's used to quickly scrolling down on their phones and only spending a few seconds at most on each photo.
Focus on editing "temporary" features of your face and makeup, such as a blemish on your forehead, dust on your clothing, dandruff, or some smeared eyeliner. Permanent parts of your body such as your nose, eyes, or chin are beautiful in their own right-they don't need to be tweaked or "touched up" to fit a certain beauty standard.
Here are a few great editing apps we recommend:
Play around with a few editors until you find a look that resonates with you. Remember that you can also use Lightroom or Photoshop to edit photos on your computer! Check out this link to learn how to transfer your photos easily: https://setapp.com/how-to/transfer-photos-from-iphone-to-mac-easily
5. Keep Snapping
You're probably not going to be happy with the first photo you take. Take multiple photos-tip you head in different directions, smile, don't smile, try out different hairstyles. If you have a particularly bold eye look, then zoom in to your eye. Set up your tripod and take a full-body photo along with a portrait so people can see how your makeup look meshes with your client's outfit.
If you're still struggling to find a photo you like, take a video of yourself or your client instead! Move with slow, deliberate moments. Afterward, review your recording and take a screenshot of the poses you like the best. You may also find that the video itself with music adds an even more engaging way for people to view your makeup skills.
6. Don't Forget the Background
Last but not least, don't forget where you're taking the photo. Ideally, your background will be white or neutral with a minimal amount of clutter or patterns. This is because a busy background can distract viewers from what you want them to look at-your makeup!
If you're having trouble finding a place in your home or business for a neutral background, try draping a piece of white or beige cloth over a door behind you. There are also professional studio backgrounds available that create an even more professional look.
Creating Professional Makeup Pictures is Quick and Easy
As you can see, taking professional-looking makeup pictures of your clients doesn't have to be overly expensive or even difficult. By paying attention to the light and background at your location, trying out different angles, and editing your photos with a light touch, you'll be well on your way to beautiful photos that showcase your work and that make your clients happy. Want to learn more ways on how to take professional-looking selfies and market your makeup artistry? Keep reading our blog for more tips and tricks!