We all need that perfect lighting

Lighting can make or break a picture. To properly promote your makeup and photography skills you need to learn all about what lighting is necessary and when to use it. There are so many devices and lighting techniques available to use thanks to innovations and technology that can alter lighting and tones. Here are some tips to follow when photographing your clients for your portfolios, Instagram posts, and overall promotional content!

Natural Light

Natural is commonly referred to as any light formed through sunlight. This is the most popular and loved form of lighting which people try to incorporate into their selfies. I’m sure you’ve all heard the term “golden hour” before when people would post selfies of them facing the sun at the exact time that it is setting, giving them the perfect glowing effect. If you are posting a photo of a client and want to showcase your makeup skills the best way is to sit them directly facing sunlight or natural window light. The natural glow from the sun lights up the makeup look and makes the colors pop. It also makes the skin look dewy and natural.

Artificial Light

Artificial light is any form of light from electrical devices and products. Many makeup artists invest in artificial light such as a ring light. A ring light reduces the amount of shadows on one’s face and minimizes any imperfections or blemishes. It is also best to use for illuminating one’s eyes and making the color stand out. Various portraits and glamour shots are taken with a ring light. A ring light we recommend you use for portraits is the GLAMCOR vanity brilliant mirror. You can use our code: CINDERELLA for 20% off! Other artificial light sources people use are the Diva ring lights and Stellar lighting ring lights.

Use Camera Flash

A great way to have the perfect lighting for your pictures if you don’t have the best access to natural lighting is by using flash. Whether you are taking your pictures on an actual camera or a phone camera, you have access to using the camera flash to light up your client’s face and showcase the entirety of the makeup look you created. However, sometimes flash can expose any powder or creased concealer under the eyes. Make sure that the makeup look you have created is flawless to the touch with no loose powder on the skin and that you are not focusing too closely on the under eyes.

Analyze The Temperature of Lighting

Make use of temperature adjusments if your lighting.

Temperature is something you can adjust in lighting options when taking pictures. The GLAMCOR ring light, specifically, has options to adjust the temperature of lighting. This innovative technology allows people to change the tones of their lights to match their environments or make their makeup looks stand out. If the lighting is making your client’s face look too yellow you can adjust the temperature to balance out the skin tones. You can also decide if you want your photos to have more cooler tones or warmer tones.

Soft Boxes

A softbox is a lighting device that has various lighting presets to use for your photos. It transmits light through scattered materials or by reflecting light off of a second surface to diffuse the light. The purpose of these lights is to use them as filler lights to fill in lights all over the face. In certain environments, your client may have more shadows on one side of their face and more lighting on the other. However, by using a shadow box you can fill all the spaces and have equal lighting for the entire face.

Try these tips and tricks to improve the quality of your client portfolios and Instagram photos. We hope this helped you and know that even though lighting may be tricky it can work wonders for your photos.

5 Lighting Tips For Makeup Artists & Beauty Pros