Beauty Photography Portraits Project Overview:
Beauty Photography portraits with clean glowing skin. The yellow eye makeup is inspired by the Pantone 2021 color(s) of the year – yellow and gray.
The primary focus for this series is the skin texture. By keeping the makeup creative but minimalist, there is a nod to graphic design. Because this photoshoot took place during the Covid19 Pandemic I kept the team small. Working with just the model and Oakland based makeup artist Kalyn Slaughter.
This past year I find myself shooting smaller or more close up. This seems counter-intuitive to social distancing. But really it is mostly about using the right lens. And masking up of course. Pro tip for photographing while wearing a mask – don’t also wear glasses. I actually asked my eye doctor for contacts so that I could work safer and better. I loved creating these beauty portraits and I hope you enjoy them as well!
A note on Retouching:
Beauty photography is almost always highly retouched. There is an art to retouching skin. Going too heavy will result in images that feel plastic and unnatural. I can do just about anything in photoshop. In the past this has included giving manicures, changing or adding makeup. And even changing a face entirely. While I still do that kind of retouching once in a while to keep my skills sharp it rarely is necessary for my work these days. Instead my focus is on making sure that I take care of flyaway hairs, or any temporary skin blemishes. I leave fine lines because I personally feel they are a beautiful story and unique to each face. And I don’t make people skinnier, because fuck that.
Team:
San Francisco Beauty Photographer: Ella Sophie
Makeup Artist: Kalyn Slaughter
Model: Lily Fontas
