Key takeaways
- Professional makeup is highly recommended for headshots, for women and men.
- Camera makeup is different from everyday makeup. The goal is natural, not heavy.
- Hair and makeup by Sylvia are included with our executive, actor and branding sessions.
- You can bring your own look, as long as it stays natural and matte.
The short answer
Yes. For a headshot, professional makeup is highly recommended. Your photograph is one of your most important marketing visuals, and a few skilled touches make the difference between a good image and a great one.
Look at the images that stand out to you
The portraits you notice in magazines, interviews and on websites almost always show the person after they have worked with a professional makeup, hair and styling team. That is the person on their best day. You deserve the same opportunity, and you do not need to be a celebrity to take advantage of it.
Camera makeup is not everyday makeup
Makeup trained for print and on-camera work looks different from what you would wear to dinner or buy at a department store counter. The goal is a fully natural-looking result that works with the lighting, evens out skin tone, controls shine and keeps you polished without looking "done up."
Our professional makeup artist, Sylvia, has many years of experience in natural, on-camera makeup. The objective is always to convey your best look on camera while preserving who you are, so there is no sense that you are wearing a lot of makeup.
What about men?
Yes, men benefit as well. For male clients we provide light, camera-ready grooming touches: evening out skin tone, knocking down shine, and keeping the result subtle. It is a quiet edge that reads well on camera for both formal and casual looks.
What to expect at your session
- Our makeup artist tailors the makeup to your look.
- You arrive with a clean, fresh face. Your prep guide explains exactly how to arrive.
- Hair and makeup are applied by our makeup artist as part of your session.
- Professional hair and makeup are included with our executive, actor and branding sessions. There is nothing extra to book.
Prefer to do your own makeup?
That is fine too. Keep it natural and not overdone, choose matte over shine, and match your foundation evenly to your skin tone. We still recommend our makeup artist for the best results.
Want to know what else is included? See our pricing and what's included, explore our executive portrait sessions, or read how to prepare for your session and what colors look best in headshots.
