How To Do Makeup Photography Yourself For A Photoshoot: 15 Tips

Transform your stage makeup into picture-perfect portraits. Discover the secrets to capturing the true art of makeup through your camera lens.

There are many ways in which makeup photography can be done; however, to become a true master of stage makeup also involves the makeup becoming as picturesque as possible for a photoshoot. In this article, you will learn about how to do makeup photography yourself: from prepping your skin to choosing the right products and lighting techniques for the performer, we cover all you need to create stunning, camera-ready looks that the photographer needs to know too. Learn how to manage reflections, elaborate the right facial features, and handle post-production for flawless results every time.

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Photo-Ready Makeup: Top 9 Tips for Makeup Photography

Follow these top tips provided by the experts to ensure that your makeup photography is the best that it can be.

1. Skin Prep

Achieving the perfect makeup for photoshoots begins with skin preparation. 

It’s essential to start with a clean and moisturised face to ensure a smooth canvas, but primer or moisturiser first? Mixing your regular foundation with a highlighter can offer a slightly dewy finish that shines under the camera lights without looking oily.

For photoshoot makeup, applying a light contour and a hint of cheek colour—be it a natural bronze or a soft blush—aids the facial structure in photographs. If you expect to face a flash, a sweep of translucent powder on the T-zone can prevent unwanted shine and maintain a matte finish, ideal for make-up photography.

2. Eye Makeup Techniques 

For eyes that captivate in every shot, start by curling your lashes to open up your eyes. This small step can dramatically transform professional eye makeup for photoshoots. 

Waterproof mascara is a must, preferably applied in two coats to ensure it lasts through long sessions without smudging. 

Whether you’re aiming for a bold or natural look, make sure your eyelashes are well-defined to make your eyes stand out in makeup photography.

3. Lipstick That Lasts 

Long-wearing lipstick can be used for maintaining a polished look throughout the shoot. 

Begin with a lip liner that matches your lipstick to outline and fill in the lips, creating a base that helps the colour stay. 

Opting for a glossy finish can add a vibrant touch to your makeup for photoshoots, making the lips pop in photos.

4. Clean Your Products 

Before you start your makeup photography, ensure that all products are clean. 

Dust, fingerprints, and smudges can detract from the beauty of your makeup in photographs. Wipe down each item with a damp cloth, and consider using a blast of air from a can to remove any lingering particles. 

Handling products with gloves during setup can also prevent additional smudges.

5. Background Considerations 

The choice of background can significantly affect the outcome of your makeup photography. 

Select a backdrop that complements the makeup without overpowering it. Smooth, neutral backgrounds like MDF boards or matte acrylic sheets can keep the makeup the primary focus. 

If you’re creating the setup yourself, consider subtle textures like paper rolls or canvas for added depth without distraction.

6. Try From Different Angles

Transform the visual impact of your products by shooting from different angles. This perspective can make the products or performer appear more striking and dominant in the frame. 

Use blocks or small stands to raise the performer or product slightly, which can also help in highlighting its features more effectively; this is particularly helpful for body painting ideas too.

7. Lighting and Composition 

Use gradient lighting to create a soft transition across the product, revealing its texture and colour without harsh reflections. 

Employing composition techniques like the rule of thirds or leading lines can guide the viewer’s eye and make your photos more engaging.

8. Use Fake Lashes to Accentuate the Eyes

In makeup photography, the eyes are a strong focal point. 

Ensuring that the performer is wearing fake eyelashes can transform any eye shape or size into a captivating feature. Be sure to choose wispy lashes, which are lighter and can be applied piece by piece, to highlight specific areas without overwhelming the eyes. 

This subtlety can make your photoshoot makeup look more refined and specific to each unique facial structure. For a prolonged photoshoot, knowing how long eyelash extensions last would be beneficial.

9. Emphasise Authenticity With Freckles and Other Skin Textures

Authenticity in makeup for photoshoots involves more than just colour and style—it’s about celebrating natural skin features. 

Makeup artists can often use techniques to elevate facial features such as beauty spots, freckles and birthmarks, making them prominent features in portraits, which is especially helpful with makeup tips for redheads too. 

A simple eyebrow pencil or eyeliner, for example, can be used to draw attention to these details, adding depth and character to your makeup photography.

6 Technical Tips for Close-Up Photography

Of course, makeup photography tips do not just apply for the performers in the shots; they are also relevant for the photographer too. See some relevant tips below on how to improve your makeup photography skills:

10. Using Extension Tubes for Detailed Shots

When capturing detailed makeup applications, having a particular close focus can be challenging. Extension tubes are a cost-effective alternative to macro lenses and are perfect for close-up shots of makeup. They allow you to maintain quality while focusing on tiny details, essential for effective make-up photography.

11. Implement Gradient Lighting

To avoid harsh reflections and ensure your subject looks their best, use gradient lighting. This technique involves using diffusion materials like scrims in front of lights or windows, which helps to soften and spread light evenly. 

This approach is particularly beneficial when photographing makeup with glossy or reflective surfaces, as it helps with the appearance of the product or performer without overpowering it.

12. Avoid Shimmery Makeup to Reduce Shine

While shimmer can be appealing in person, it tends to overemphasise in photos, detracting from the natural beauty of your subject. 

For makeup photography, opt for matte finishes, especially in foundation, lipstick, and eyeshadow. These products help minimise unwanted reflections and keep the focus on your subject’s natural allure.

13. Prevent Cakey Foundation

A common mistake in makeup for photoshoots is applying too much foundation, resulting in a heavy, unnatural look. 

To capture true beauty, use a light hand with foundation and concealer, ensuring that natural skin textures like freckles and pores are visible. This approach not only makes the makeup look more natural but also helps the portraits convey a more genuine and flattering depiction of the subject.

14. Consider Depth of Field

A well-chosen depth of field can help makeup photographs by focusing attention precisely where desired. 

While a shallow depth of field can highlight specific makeup details, a smaller aperture (around f16) is typically used for product photography to ensure that the entire product is in sharp focus. In situations where field depth is limited, techniques like focus stacking can be used, where multiple images at different focus points are merged in post-production for a fully focused final image.

15. Polish Your Images in Post-Production

Final touches in post-production are vital to achieving high-quality makeup photographs. 

Techniques such as removing dust, adjusting contrast, and fine-tuning colour balance can significantly help the visual appeal of your images. Even minor adjustments can drastically improve the overall impact, ensuring that your makeup photography looks polished and professional.

Master Makeup Photography At Your Next Photoshoot Event

In conclusion, achieving stunning makeup photography involves a blend of technique and artistry. From choosing the right fake lashes to make the eyes truly stand out, to emphasising natural skin textures for authenticity, every little detail counts in photography makeup. By avoiding shimmery makeup and ensuring a natural, non-cakey foundation, your makeup photographs will not only capture but also improve the intrinsic beauty of your subjects.

FAQs

How should makeup be applied to avoid flashback in photos?

To avoid flashback, which causes your face to appear whiter than the rest of your body in photos, steer clear of foundations and powders with a high SPF or those that contain silica, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide in large amounts. These ingredients are reflective and can cause the white cast seen in flash photography.

How do I deal with oily skin for photoshoots?

For oily skin, use an oil-free or mattifying primer to help control shine. Choose cruelty-free, vegan, and oil-free foundations and apply a light layer of translucent powder to set the makeup. Throughout the photoshoot, blotting papers can be used to manage shine without adding more layers of product, which could disrupt the makeup and make it look heavy.

What makeup techniques help minimise the appearance of wrinkles in photos?

To reduce wrinkles appearing, start with a silicone-based primer that can fill in fine lines. Choose light-reflective foundations to blur imperfections rather than heavy, matte formulas that can settle into wrinkles and accentuate them. Use a light hand with powder, only applying it where absolutely necessary to reduce shine. Cream-based blushes and eyeshadows are preferable as they are less likely to settle into fine lines compared to powders.

Sources

Adobe.com. (2020) How to use and break, the rule of thirds. [online] Available at: https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/photography/discover/rule-of-thirds.html [accessed 07/02/2025]

Fyre, M., (2017) Why F/16? Michael Fyre: The Art and Craft of Landscape Photography. [online] Available at: https://www.michaelfrye.com/2017/11/05/image-sharpening/ [accessed 07/02/2025]