Beauty Photography Shoot 101

 What is Beauty Photography?

What exactly is beauty photography? Beauty photography can include images that focus on cosmetics trends, hairstyles, skincare or wellness, and fashion/accessory styling. The storytelling is usually from the waist up or shoulders to head. A series of hairstyle changes or makeup changes highlight the beauty photography series. Props can be used, with lighting expressed from simple to very creative. Most beauty photography shoots are indoors, with an occasional outdoor background in editorials and campaigns.

Definition.

Beauty photography is a more modern version of glamour-style portraiture. The objective of a beauty session is to reveal your inner and outer beauty, your presence, your femininity, and your personality while providing you with an experience like no other!

Glasses:Mercura Eyewear

My Love of Beauty Photography Shoots.

I have to admit, I am a big fan of beauty product photography and the beautiful fantasy it can create. I love beautiful photography with models so much. I want to tell stories, create fantasies, and be hired for another major beauty campaign! Yes, I admit it. 

As a creative photographer, I can express ideas, stories, and trends in a very colorful way. I love the intimacy of beauty photography shoots. I also love makeup and hairstyling!

Skincare products and overall wellness are additional areas I have a big interest in. so let’s dive into one of my most recent beauty photography shoots.

Beginning of the Beauty Photography Shoot.

It is all about the Concept. What is the photography shoot about? What is the tone? The color palette for makeup? Hairstyles? Props or clothing or accessories if needed? What type of beauty dish will I need or a light modifier? Once I have this figured out, I create a mood board or concept board, with reference images. I select a team I feel will benefit from this concept or has an interest in being part of this. I choose a model that I feel can bring this concept to life and is expressive. Model selection is very important. Not all models like beauty photography shoots or are good at working with just their eyes and shoulders. Remember, beauty photography needs life behind the eyes to be exciting and captivating. Hands can be an effective way to add to a beauty photography shoot. Remember, hands and fingers should feel like they are feathers-light and airy. Not like a closed fist. Camera lens selection is SO important for beauty photography. Many photographers who love beauty photography, use a 100mm lens, or an 80mm lens. I would test them both out, to see what works for you.

Middle of the Beauty Photography Shoot.

It is the day of the photography shoot. Once the team is set up and the model has arrived, I go over the concept once again with the whole team. I usually have my strobe lights, background, and props set up the night before in my studio. During the photography shoot, I converse with my team on changes or tweaks we feel we should make. Lighting checks and makeup checks are done, when the model steps on set. Any changes are usually done at this point. Once the first “look” is completed, the model steps into hair/makeup for the next “look”. We proceed throughout the time I have planned to photograph the mood, essence, and creative ideas of the team. Music throughout the photoshoot helps keep spirits high and your model engaged. There are times when the model can get bored or check out, mentally. As the photographer and main person in charge, you will have to keep an eye on this. Your interpersonal skills will come into play, with this situation. Keep spirits high and the atmosphere fun. Also, have a firm grasp on the run of the show. You are in charge if it is one of your photoshoots. Lead the team, with kindness and firmness. Bring your joy, creative vision, and skillset to your photography shoot.

End  of the Beauty Photography Shoot.

Time for editing and retouching. Editing can be a tough Nugent with your work. You can be too close to your work and maybe not see the full potential of the entire shoot. This has happened to me and it is not necessarily the worst thing to occur. It happens. I like to wait a day or two before any editing. When I begin to edit, I do a few run-throughs. I highlight my first reactions in Lightroom. I then go back to each “look” and open up a few selections in photoshop. I photograph in the RAW format, so the files are huge. It is a better spectrum of color and for retouching to have a RAW file. I narrow down my selects to 1-2 images for each “look”. The client may like a certain type of look, while your makeup artist may want a different type of look.

I try to pick one image, per “look” but sometimes you have more than one. I will retouch more than one image if I feel the image can be used in different ways or the talent needs it to showcase their skill set. I use an outside retoucher for most of my beauty photography shoots. Why? These beauty retouchers are more skilled with skin retouch than I am. Skin texture is HUGE for beauty photography. Huge in what way? You, as the creative, have to keep up with trends and styles. Having a model’s skin that appears normal but refined is key. I hire outside help to make the result easier for me. I usually retouch small details that are easier for me to do-like pupils, hair flyaways, shading, and toning. You can retouch however you like. This is my process I want to share with you!