Everyone meet Clara, a natural beauty and 2025 senior from Redmond High School, with a passion for volleyball. Clara showed up to her senior photo session looking forward to capturing her unique style and spirit. However, her day started on a stressful note: the hair and makeup artist didn’t quite understand her vision. Despite Clara’s feedback, she walked away from her makeup session feeling not like herself and too done up. To make matters worse, the HMUA ran behind schedule, putting a time crunch on an already busy day and pushing the clock to make it on time for her senior photo session.
So what do you do if you don’t like your professional makeup on the big day? Here are some tips to help make sure your makeup fits your style and makes you feel beautiful and confident on photo day.
5 Tips to Avoid Makeup Stress on Your Photo Day
- Bring Reference Photos Start by gathering inspirational photos that match the style you envision for your session. Find images of subtle makeup and relaxed hairstyles if you love natural looks. Bringing visuals gives your HMUA a clearer idea of what you like (and what you don’t!).
- Research the Makeup Artist’s Work Just like photographers, makeup artists each have their own style. By reviewing their portfolios, you can get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your tastes. A simple scroll through their social media or website can tell you a lot about their usual vibe.
- Consider a Trial Run If you’re uncertain about how a particular makeup style will look on you, consider scheduling a trial. A practice session gives you a chance to collaborate on a look and see how it feels before the big day. If you’re happy with the trial, you can book confidently, knowing you’ll feel like yourself.
- Communicate Clearly & Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up Effective communication is key! Discuss your preferences, including what you like and dislike, at the start. If you notice things veering off track, don’t hesitate to kindly ask for adjustments. A good HMUA will welcome feedback to help you feel comfortable.
- Bring Backup Makeup Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and having a few key makeup items on hand can be a lifesaver. Bring along a small makeup bag with essentials to do touch-ups or even a full redo if needed. This can help you feel prepared for any surprises!
So what did Clara do? After her experience, Clara took matters into her own hands. In a quiet moment, she touched up her makeup in the car, bringing back her natural look and restoring her confidence. By the time we began her session, Clara was feeling more like herself and ready to enjoy her photo session. Her photos turned out beautifully, capturing the real Clara—confident, natural, and ready to shine.
Remember, your senior photo session is about capturing you at your best. With a little planning, you’ll be ready to handle any situation with grace and confidence! Here are a few sneak peeks from Clara’s session!
Check out more photo sessions from Fort Steilacoom Park.
