Camera Friendly Makeup Tips

This may seem a bit of a cheat but the following post is a reprint (with permission, of course:) of an article written by makeup artists Steve Moore of The Moore Agency in Atlanta, Deanna Rene of Scottsdale, Ariz., and wedding photographer Holly Schumacher from Professional Photographer magazine, March 2010 “Glamourpuss”, Bridal makeup tips for a picture-perfect face from Professional Photographer Magazine.  The original can be found here - http://www.ppmag.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.fcgi/794.

I thought this was too good not to share with my readers, too.

BLEND, BLEND, BLEND

You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day. Many makeup professionals use airbrush makeup, the method of choice for high-definition TV, because it’s lightweight, waterproof and gives flawless coverage.

SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE

Use less makeup for a day wedding and more for evenings. You can get dramatic with eye makeup.

DON’T SKIMP ON CONCEALER

Use a moisturized concealer on the thin, sensitive skin under the eyes. If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream. For blemishes, first treat them with a natural or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, then cover with concealer.

DO A MAKEUP TRIAL RUN

It’s the only sure-fire, stress-free way to make certain your makeup will look beautiful.

NOT ALL MINERAL MAKEUP IS CREATED EQUAL

Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance. In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launched a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography called Advanced Mineral Makeup. May promises it won’t white-out the bride under a flash.

USE WATERPROOF MAKEUP WITH STAYING POWER

You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup. Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be waterproof. And in case you cry (and you probably will), have a tissue or handkerchief handy to gently blot your tears right at the eye.

KEEP YOUR LIPS MOISTURIZED AND COLORED

Dry lips look dreadful in photos. Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often. Matte and gloss lipstick both photograph well, and be sure to use blended lip liner for enhanced definition.

DON’T FORGET THE GROOM

If the groom is red faced due to too much sun (or drinking), a little powder can help. That goes for shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the groom’s pocket for his dry lips, as well as a handkerchief to dab well-wishers’ makeup smudges off his suit.

DON’T SPRINKLE ON GLITTER

In photographs, it tends to look like little white spots, as if there’s something wrong with the camera.

REMEMBER 

to apply foundation and powder to your neck, shoulders and décolletage—you want your head to look like it belongs to your body!

The Dressing Room - Part 1

A wedding is possibly the most beautiful ceremony in any culture.   That is why I love to photograph them.  In fact, the wedding ceremony isn't really one ceremony.  It is composed of countless mini-ceremonies and traditions that flow seamlessly together to create the whole.

I thought I would begin with one of the most significant and emotional of these mini-ceremonies.

While the guys are out golfing, clowning around or otherwise entertaining themselves, the ladies have begun a long ritual of preparation that culminates with the dressing of the bride.   This is the moment that little girls have looked forward to since the first time they played dress-up in their mom's high-heels and lipstick.  Mothers have looked forward to seeing their daughters wearing that special dress since the moment the doctor cried, "It's a GIRL!!".   These are priceless and beautiful moments that you entrust to your photographer to capture with beauty and style.  That's also why it is worth the extra minutes it takes to prep the dressing room for photography.

Here are some tips from a photographer's perspective on the selection and preparation of the dressing room to help make sure that that special ceremony (dressing the bride) gets captured in it's fullest beauty and emotion.

Plenty of Indirect Window Light

• Good light almost always results in good photographs.   Take a look at your favorite wedding images and you will likely see that there was really nice light involved.  
• Direct, glaring sunlight is challenging.  It can be tamed but it is harsh and contrasty and generally washes out all the subtle colors.  
• Your dressing room should ideally have nice sized windows. 
• If you have multiple rooms to choose from, a room with North-facing windows is perfect ... but let's face it, who really carries a compass with them!?  Northern light is clean and bright and beautiful and there won't be any direct sunlight streaming through the windows from the north.
• If it happens that the sun does stream directly through the window, then some simple chiffon-like white material should be placed over the window to diffuse the light.  White is best because it won't color the light and we want to be sure to get the colors of the wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses correct. 
• There is another reason for the windows.  They produce "catch-lights" in the eyes that are simply gorgeous especially in close-up shots of your eyes.

A Little Space

• Not too much but also not too little.  You may or may not have any option here but, if you do, just remember that we want you, your mom and some bridesmaids all in the picture.   Oh ... plus room for the photographer to move around.  As much as I like to stay inconspicuous, I also like to get both near and far shots.
• It's also really nice to get a layout shot of the dress where we spread it all out.  That takes a bit of space.

Clear Out the Junk

• You want everything that ends up in the picures to be "wedding-y".  Bridal gowns, shoes, flowers, ribbons, veils, even undies are ok as long as they're tasteful.   But Pepsi cans, plastic wrap, old pizza, sneakers, jeans ... all these can really break the mood.  Unless, of course, that is exactly the vibe that you are looking for.  Some brides want a more "down-to-earth" feel.  
• Cover any ugly furniture.  Or just move it.  But leave yourself some comfy places to sit, too.  We don't want the room to look bare either.

Other Lights

• Along with the window light, make sure that there is good light through the rest of the room.  Of course, we can use flash strobes but natural or room light has much better ambience and romance to it.  
• Some brides like candles which is truly lovely.  Just make very very sure that they are safe from all the bridesmaids and the photographer all of whom are looking at you ... not the candles.
• If in doubt, the photographer should be more than happy to help.

I know this sounds like a lot to do and a lot to remember.  The last thing you need is more to worry about but even if you remember a little of this when you prepare your dressing room it should result in glorious and beautiful images that you will cherish forever.

More later.  Relax and enjoy this time.  Peace,
Glen

Bride's Edition - Inaugural Post

Do you recognize that look?  Your special day is coming and there's a lot to do.

WELCOME to this inaugural post of  "Glen Goffin Photography: Brides Edition"

This new site is meant as a resource to couples for planning your perfect day!  My goal is to post smart and informative articles that will help make your special day perfect.  Of course, being a professional wedding photographer, I am hoping that some of you may choose to use me for your weddings but my real purpose is simply to help you have the best wedding you possibly can.

My hope is that this will become a favorite place for you to visit.  Please let me know via email or comments how I can make it better!

Enjoy this special time!
Glen

PS -  I also run an associated blog aimed at other professional wedding photographers.  If you are curious about that one, you can find it here: http://goffins.blogspot.com