Makeup Artist....need advice please!

Neelam Hussain

Neelam Hussain

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makeupartist01
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Hi everyone, i would really appreciate some advice.

I am looking to purchase a dslr to take pictures of my clients makeup. I have so gotten by so far using my phone camera but it doesn't do my work any justice! I want a more professional look to the photos i upload to my social media and photos that are true to my work.

I am completely lost as to what camera to purchase. I am tempted to buy the Canon 770d / t5i but feel it provides more than what i actually need and therefore will be spending more money when i don't need to. I did like the fact it had a flip out screen which means i can easily photograph my own makeup too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
 
The best advice I can give, is to go into a shop and see which feels best in your hands :)
 
You don't need anything fancy in the camera department, but lighting will probably be important.

Could you post links to a couple of images that are the sort of thing you'd like to do? Just put 'make up' into google images and link to a some photos you like, maybe a full face shot and a close-up?

Welcome to TP :)
 
Thank you for your reply. I have attached 3 links to give you idea. I do agree with you, lighting also plays a crucial role. I was thinking a ring light might do the job? My makeup studio isn't very big to bring in umbrella lights and soft-boxes. And i sometimes travel to clients and have little time for big set ups.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=m...=isch&q=instagram+makeup&imgrc=fMiTTq-Zcecw-M:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=m...gB#tbm=isch&q=eye+makeup&imgrc=WyJnjdivWxq-GM:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=m...=isch&q=instagram+makeup&imgrc=3aer815dPaEUqM:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=p...AhUDuRoKHXIqBLwQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=YqibKD8s5BgjtM:
 
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Yes, as you were thinking, the recurring theme there is ring-flash, or perhaps an LED ring-light might do the job and probably be easier to use if you're not that into photography. There also looks to be some skin smoothing going on (Photoshop etc) and a couple would benefit from a longer lens. This would give a greater shooting distance and avoid the awkward perspective evident in the last picture, that looks to have been taken by window light - another good lighting option when available.

The key though, is light - the right light, used with some understanding and skill. You should be able to take decent enough 'record' snaps relatively easily that show your work, but if you also want to make good photographs to make your work stand out, you will need to build knowledge and experience, and use different lighting options for different subjects (eg softbox and reflectors etc). It's not just a question of buying kit.
 
Your best bet by far is going to be using window light. Setting up any (half decent flash set up) is going to take you time - factor in camera settings, altering modifiers, light stands etc etc.

If I paid someone to deliver my food then they wanted to faff about with cameras and lights of me eating purely for their own benefit I'd get real p***ed real soon. Remember what you're there for and keep things as simple as possible.
 
Don't expect to obtain the results you are looking for just by buying a camera, no matter what quality. To obtain such quality,you need to learn how to achieve it. YOu could alwsys join a photography club and learn about the are in your evenings and have other photographers to help you. Soi many times people expect 'magic' just by buying a camera. Most cameras will produce good results if you know how to use then correctly and really understand lighting. Good luck, but obtaining quality photographs needs understanding.
 
As others have said, the camera is the least important part. Lighting, composition and technique are key.
Take a while to search through youtube and search for beauty portrait lighting.
Joe Edelman has some excellent videos which will point you in the right direction. Such as
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RtkxTuqiNg&t=2s

Once you studied what is required to achieve the look your after your choice of equipment should become easier.
 
The camera club idea is a good one, but here's a different suggestion - contact the local club secretary and offer a couple of your models, in full war paint, for a beauty portrait evening at the club. I think that'd be very popular with members, you'd get a lot of good photos, learn a lot, and make a few helpful contacts :thumbs:

All camera clubs are affiliated to The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain, the PAGB. Find your local club here http://www.thepagb.org.uk/about/federations/
 
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