Doing your makeup for a photograph is nothing like doing your makeup for the everyday. Girls who realize that are a step ahead of the game when it comes to their senior pictures. Surely you have seen the tragic senior portraits of girls who never had a makeup lesson, right? Too much black eyeliner, big glossy lips, and a trendy razored ‘do' that does nothing for their features?

 

Here are the tips and tricks that you simply must know when doing your makeup and hair for your senior pictures:

 

Foundation – Much as foundation is the key to building a house, it is also the key for building a great face. A lot of clear skinned girls may use a foundation with a shiny or translucent finish; however, in photos, this will definitely give the appearance of an oily face. Instead, use a matte finish liquid foundation and seal it with a loose powder. Avoid mineral makeup – while these powdered gems are great for the everyday, they just don’t work in photos.

 

Eyes – This is the one secret you need to maximize your makeup in your senior pics: Ready? Do not put anything below your eyes besides a slight touch of mascara! Even if you look great with a little lower eyeliner in real life, this will make you totally goth in your senior portraits. Instead, focus on your top lid. Use a neutral color on your lids, and just a whisper of darker powder along your eyelashes. Consider a little shimmer on your brow bone to create contrast.

 

Lips – Lip liner is totally Pam Anderson, and so totally nineties. However, a neutral lip liner that matches the natural color of your kisser is awesome for senior photos. If gives great definition, and gives a base for your lipstick. Avoid lip-gloss – it looks a little too shiny in photos, and can draw focus away from your eyes.

 

Hair – A sleek up-do is usually the best bet. After all, your grandma totally wants to see your pretty face, right? However, if you just plain aren’t an up-do girl, consider a simple blowout the day before you take your senior portraits. Your hair should look simple and sleek, not greasy or overdone. Short haired girls will do well to avoid the mousse or gel they use in the everyday – A lot of product tends to catch the light, and give a “dirty” look in the finished products.

 

Remember the old adage of “keep it simple, silly!” or “KISS.” A nice subdued look is sure to make you look awesome, and give you senior portraits that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

 

 

 

Choose a VARIETY of outfits.  It is a good idea to include both casual and formal outfits in your senior portraits.  You choose a few and let Mom choose one or two, that way everyone is happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1

Coordinate outfits. Everybody in the portrait should wear items that complement each other in style and color. It is not necessary for all clothes to match, but they must make sense together. If grandpa wears a suit and tie and grandma wears shorts and a t-shirt, the portrait may look unbalanced and poorly planned.

 

Step 2

Pick clothes appropriate to the portrait's setting. An outdoorportrait with a backdrop of fall leaves lends itself to casual clothing like khakis and crisp white shirts, or jeans and sweaters. A studio portrait with a plain colored background lends itself more to formal or semi-formal attire.

 

Step 3

 

Stick to solids and subtle patterns. Bold stripes, large designs and polka dots stand out and tend to draw attention from the portrait's subject. An eclectic mix of patterns can clash and reduce the quality of a portrait.

 

Step 4

Dress in timeless clothing for your family portrait. Let your age, rather than the clothes you wear, date the portrait.

 

Step 5

Have appropriate shoes and socks. Many family portraits are full-body shots, so if you wear sneakers with your dress, you'll probably feel silly. If you plan to change clothes, bring shoes and socks to go with each outfit.

 

Step 6

Wear colors that translate well through photography. Dark colors like navy blue, black and earth tones look especially nice outdoors. White clothing can get lost against a white background, and dark clothing against a pastel provides nice contrast. Bright shades of yellow, orange and pink can alter skin tones and are not ideal for photographs.

 

Step 7

Clean and iron all clothing before the portrait. If your clothes wrinkle easily, change just before the sitting. Bring wrinkle release spry and a detergent pen to the portrait site for last-minute emergencies.

 

 

 

 

 

SIMPLICITY is the key to a successful portrait.

 

Long sleeve dresses and shirts are recommended. (Exception - evening gowns)

 

Coordinate your outfit from head to toe.

 

Darker clothes minimize body size.  

 

Keep the tonal range of clothing in the same group;  don't mix lights and darks in the same outfit.

 

To assure a successful portrait, it is best to bring along several additional clothing choices and let the photographer help you choose.

Have your hair cut or trimmed about a week before the portrait so your hair will have a chance to "relax" and look more natural.

 

Men should shave about 1 hour before their portrait.  This eliminates redness from shaving and also "5 o'clock shadow" CANNOT be removed by retouching.

 

Women should wear evening makeup, applied moderately, to accent eyes and lips.  Use of makeup will also blend skin tones for more pleasing portraits.  Bring your makeup with you to make changes if needed.

 

Remember, get a good night's rest, relax and be ready for a great portrait session!

 

 

Bring a stuffed animal and/or favorite toy with your child.

 

The best time for children is after they are well rested and have eaten a snack.

 

Be patient.

 

Please assist the photographer with making your child happy, safe and comfortable during the session.

 

Changes of clothing are not recommended for very young children due to short attention spans.

 

Bring several outfits and let the photographer choose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2009 Cindy Chandler Photography