Bridal Hair and Makeup for Wedding Photoshoots: How to Look Your Best

Planning a wedding is a massive undertaking that can cause a mountain of stress. While it’s essential that the ceremony goes smoothly and that all your lists are checked off, it’s equally important that you enjoy your big day.

Whether you’re planning a photoshoot before the wedding, or are taking photos the day of, you’ll want to look and feel your absolute best. After all, these are photos that you’ll always look back on to remember this day. So, here are five tips to help you look your best for your wedding photoshoot.

5 Tips for Stunning Bridal Portraits

• Skin and Hair Prep

Wearing heavy makeup and shooting under bright lights can draw attention to skin imperfections such as clogged pores or skin bumps. This can detract from your natural beauty and steal the limelight in your pictures.

This is why it’s necessary to begin your wedding makeup with the right skin prep. Make sure your skin care routine involves hydrating products for that dewy glow under your foundation. To achieve a flawless and even finish, banish clogged pores with exfoliating face masks leading up to your big day.

Depending on your chosen hairdo, you may be exposing your hair to a higher degree of heat and products than you’re used to. Use nourishing hair masks leading up to the wedding, as this may bolster the health of your hair follicles to face the possible damage from styling tools.

The proper preparation for your skin and hair will help your makeup apply smoother and hair look healthier in photos. Remember, it’s important to avoid any makeup that also contains sunscreen, as camera flashes can cause your skin to reflect white.

• Do Your Homework

Before you gear up for your photoshoot, spend some time practicing makeup looks and poses that showcase your natural features.

Situate yourself in front of a mirror and set up your phone to record your solo practice session. Strike poses in various seated or standing positions. This is a good time to pull up your Pinterest inspiration pictures and try out different poses or eyeshadow looks.

Experiment with props such as a bouquet of flowers or your veil to prepare for solo shots. Finally, watch the footage and screenshot your favorite poses to share with your photographer so they can add them to the shot list.

• Say Yes to the Dress Rehearsal

Having a mini dress rehearsal before your scheduled photo shoot can do wonders for establishing a sense of comfort. Combine this with a mock photo shoot to see how your makeup and hair look on camera in different kinds of lighting.

If you’re getting your hair and makeup done professionally, you can carry out this mock photoshoot the same day you’ve booked a trial. Just get your bestie to spend 15 to 20 minutes snapping a bunch of photos of you from various angles that let you see your hair and makeup properly.

This will create the opportunity to preview how your hairdo and makeup will look on camera, and allow you to enhance certain features or make adjustments.

If your photoshoot is scheduled outdoors, conduct your mock photoshoot at the time on a different day. This allows you to see what your hair and makeup look like in the natural light that you’ll be working with on the day of the actual shoot.

• Smiling 101

Even with flawless makeup and perfectly curled hair, posing for photos when you’re all dolled up isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Whether you’re posing for solo shots or couple portraits, the nerves can get to you and translate into awkward smiles that may look forced.

As corny as it sounds, it can help to think about your partner if you’re having trouble relaxing and smiling naturally. The dreamy eyes you’ll end up with are just a bonus!

It can also be handy to have a few particularly funny jokes written down or memorized to share with your partner as you pose together. This is bound to elicit genuine laughs and make it easier for the photographer to capture you both laughing naturally.

Another trick to try for intimate portraits with your partner is to pretend you’re kissing with your teeth, rather than your lips. This hack averts awkward pouty lips and instead brings the focus to your smiles as you longingly lean into each other.

• Build Trust With Your Photographer

Aside from finalizing your makeup look and picking a hairdo you love, it’s important to choose a photographer who knows how to put you at ease.

You may come across a bunch of talented photographers with portfolios full of dreamy portraits to their credit. But the key to looking your best for your wedding photoshoot is to build trust with the person behind the camera.

Getting to know your photographer and building a rapport with them can go a long way towards making you feel at ease during your shoot. This will automatically make you look more natural in your wedding photos.

While a great photographer can land you cinematic shots with perfect hair and makeup, a truly brilliant photographer is one that feels like a friend behind the camera.

Look Your Best With Confidence & Calm

Above all, your wedding day is about your and your partner’s happiness. Remember to enjoy the experience and remain confident and calm for your wedding photoshoot to look your effortless best.