The Importance of Using a Makeup Artist During Your Boudoir Session

The Importance of Using a Makeup Artist During Your Boudoir Session, and how to get the exact look YOU want:

Communication is Imperative

 This article was written with the Makeup Artist in mind - communicating to the Photographer, how to make sessions a positive experience, but we find that the client can also help make their end-vision, a masterpiece, but knowing the back-end-behind-the-scenes-goings-on, of how YOUR final images, HAPPEN!

 Communicating your creative vision to the makeup artist before the shoot is vital. You think this one would be a no brainer, but you’d be surprised. Let’s start out with the obvious thing here first: no one is a mind reader. Keeping a chain of communication between the entire creative team working on a shoot is essential. This includes mood boards, pinterest and wardrobe. Please keep in mind hair styles are dependent on what they have to start with. This allows the makeup artist to come prepared with everything they need for the shoot. We have to lug around a lot of stuff, and if we can lighten our load, it helps us tremendously. It also keeps us organized. If we have a solid idea of what each look will be on each model, we’ll be more prepared and will move more quickly through each look.

 Harmony is everything. Sometimes a shoot is just a photographer, a model, and a makeup artist. Sometimes a shoot is a photographer, photographer’s assistant, makeup artist, hair stylist, makeup artist’s assistant, art director, editor, stylist, and an army of models. Shoots can range from anything in between these two and more depending on the shoot, the client, the purpose of the shoot, and the budget. It’s important to have all the moving parts working towards one goal. If everyone is confused, things won’t run smoothly and the shoot will be stressful, forced, and limited in time. Communication is the key to keep everything fun, friendly, and productive.

Be Patient:

Don’t rush the Makeup Artist. Yes, we’re used to working under pressure, but I’ve worked on shoots where I haven’t even taken out my brushes yet and the photographer is asking me if I’m done. This is another case where communication is key. If we know how many looks we need to get done in one day of shooting, we’ll have a better idea of what looks we can realistically complete in the time frame given and whether or not we need to bring an assistant. Also, plan to have the MUA and styling team come very early to set up their stations and get ready. If you’re rushing and putting major pressure on the MUA, you might make things take longer since we’ll be stressed or scrambling.

Ms. C

There are times in our lives when we give so much of ourselves to others that we forget who we are. It is not as if we want to stop giving to those around us, but we need to take time to appreciate how far we have come. Life can be trying, and the heartache can wear on our souls. We can end up feeling like we lose ourselves in the everyday shuffle. The monotony of the day to day can slowly erode our self-confidence and our self-worth.

That’s why I love what I do as a boudoir photographer—I help remind women of their inner beauty. Boudoir shoots help us to remember who we are, and to remember the power we have inside. That was the case for the beautiful and empathic Ms. C, who met up with me here at the 1020 Studio in downtown Seattle.

Old Hollywood Curvy Boudoir Photography

Ms. C is a very nurturing human. Being empathetic is part of who she is. Clearly, in her occupation as a MA in Oncology, she experiences people going through the hardest time of their life. Cancer affects the lives of patients and the lives of their families so deeply. When you are an empath, you absorb that pain. You internalize part of that hardship. After a long day of work, she goes home and cares for her two beautiful children. Being a mom fills Ms. C’s heart to the brim and fuels her soul.

There are no days off when you are a parent—especially when they are little. When tragedy hits during this time of life, it really takes a toll. On you, on your family, on every part of your life. Ms. C is a gorgeous woman with a tender sweet soul.

I was so happy that Ms. C came to the studio for a boudoir session. She was the epitome of old Hollywood glamour. She channeled her inner Marilyn Monroe! Ms. C was simply gorgeous at every angle and with every curve. The outfits and the colors that she chose were so flattering to her stunning complexion.

“We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.” – Marilyn Monroe

Ms. C, thank you for sharing your light with others. You twinkle so brightly and for this boudoir session, you brought real, curvy Hollywood glamour. It was such a pleasure to be your photographer!

Hair and Makeup: Kat St. John

Photographer: Molly Blair

Ms. K

Back in August, I was lucky enough to photograph this gorgeous woman at the 1020 Studio. This boudoir session was amazing to capture, and I was so happy to be her photographer.

Empowering Boudoir Photography

Before her boudoir photography session with me, Ms. K had shared, “I want to feel beautiful in my own skin and let my light shine. Nothing is going to stop me from achieving my dreams and goals.”

Well, let me just say: Ms. K certainly let her light shine! She was an exuberant, bright light and was just SO much fun to photograph. This was not her first boudoir photography shoot, so she had a good idea of what the session would be like, but she didn’t have the full experience the way they are done in my studio. From picking out the best outfits for your shape, to making sure your makeup is how you want it, to highlighting your best assets—the experience you have during your boudoir session is just as important as the resulting images. Special thanks go out to the amazingly talented Kat St. John for the work she did making Ms. K’s hair and makeup look so amazing.

With my work as a boudoir photographer, I notice time and time again how we pick apart pieces of ourselves. That self-deprecation that prevents us from truly improving ourselves in the ways that are needed most. We focus on the parts of us that cannot really change… or parts of us that don’t need to. As a woman, I can relate. I empathize with the barriers you put up about yourself. I have them too. That’s why I feel so passionately that the boudoir photography experience should be something empowering. It should always be about embracing who you are and harnessing the beauty that you have. Flaws and all. All women are beautiful.

Sometimes, feeling good about yourself can be helped with some spectacular wardrobe choices. The lingerie Ms. K is wearing is easy to find and flattering on most body types. If you are curious about where to find the pieces featured in these images, make sure to grab the free boudoir planning guide or set up a time to chat about what you get when you book a studio boudoir session with me!

Enjoy these lovely photos of Ms. K!