Makeup & Feeling Good About Yourself

  Yes, I know, you're probably looking at the title of this post, scratching your head and wondering, "how on earth does this have ANYTHING to do with photography?"!  I guess really it doesn't but then again it does so I'll show both my reasons!

  So, back in September a friend and myself went to Crabtree Valley Mall to do a little shopping and went into a store called Bare Escentuals.  I had never really heard of this store but my friend said that her mom used the makeup and that you could get a free "makeover" if you went in so I was very game!  It's free, so why not?!

  I got in there and was Impressed!  The saleslady did one half of our face and then instructed us on how to do the other.  It was super easy and what I liked best about the makeup was that 1) it didn't feel heavy on my skin like other (liquid based) makeups did, 2) it totally reduced the redness in my skin and 3) it didn't make me look like a corpse and didn't crease in my wrinkles (I'm only 26 but I do have a few). 

  I looked at the price tag for the initial setup and I didn't have the funds to get it but Christmas was around the corner so I added it to my Christmas list =).

  My mom got it for me and I put it on tonight to go out with my best friend and cousin.  Let me tell you.  I haven't had a good day. My sinus/allergies have been bothering me so I've lounged in my PJ's ALL day.  Really haven't done ANYTHING except surf the net, sleep, clean a little and play with my bunny.

  When I put the makeup on, I felt SO MUCH BETTER.  Like I was a different person, literally.  I felt confident, pretty and ready to go somewhere!  That's what makeup can do for you.

  No, how does this post have ANYTHING to do with photography?  Here's my application.  In order to feel good with clients, feel proud of your products/services and feel comfortable behind a camera you need one invaluable thing.  CONFIDENCE!!!  Looking your best, whether you're at a session, meeting up with a client for the first time, or selling your product is essential to being the best business person you can be.  If you're not looking your best, I can guarentee you that you're not feeling your best and if you're not feeling your best, more than likely you're going to lack confidence (I speak from experience here). 

  So, that, for me is how makeup relates to photography. 

  The next time you're not feeling in a great mood and you have a session to go to, go put on some makeup!  I guarentee you it'll pump you up in no time flat!!!

  Give me feedback.  Do you have any experiences you'd like to share when makeup helped you reclaim your confidence? 

Sara

*Disclaimer:  Please don't think I'm saying that you HAVE to wear makeup to have confidence.  That's not true.  All the makeup in the world isn't going to help you if you don't have confidence coming from somewhere deep inside, or if you don't like to wear makeup (I'm normally in the latter catagory fyi).  But for those of us who do wear it it can help tremendously!!

 

A Salvaged Session

I had a VERY busy weekend.  Especially Saturday.  Saturday I had to get up at 6:40AM, drive to Raleigh, purchase my own Christmas present (makeup from Bare Escentuals - my mom is paying me back) and then attend a lighting workshop at http://www.jenniferweinberg.com/.  The workshop was great.  Two hours worth of all kinds of lighting info.  Yes, my bottom was sore when I left, but it was worth it!!! 


  The workshop gave me grand ideas for my toddler session I had booked Saturday afternoon.  I was all prepared with some shop lights from Lowes and 60 watt bulbs  as well as some computer paper (because placing the paper over the lights will give them less intensity).  I had an aspiration to be able to diffuse my on camera flash with a piece of the paper as well. 


  My aspirations crumbled into a heap right after the session began....


Let me back up.  I got the the session a few minutes early (it was in a home with a fireplace), set up my lights and took some test shots.  The test shots looked very nice.  The light was warm, golden and flattering. So I was excited!!!  Then, the clients arrived and we began the session.  The first few shots I got were nice and the lighting was like I wanted.  But then, something happened and I honestly do not know what it was.  I had set my white balance but suddenly, every photo I was taking was harsh white, not the warm colors before.  I was thrown for a loop.  I continued taking pictures and while the toddler was running around doing something else, I would frantically take test shots while changing my Shutter and Aperature in Manual Mode.  Nothing worked. 


  Finally, in desperation, I put my camera into Auto Mode (I felt like a fake). 


  Then, the clients suggested we take some outdoor photos (a blessing for me because I do much better in outdoor light than indoor) and we went outside.  After taking a few test shots out there, I turned my white balance to cloudy so that the colors were warmer. 


  We shot 20 minutes outside and I got much better photos (sigh of relief).  I was more comfortable outdoors and the lighting was much better.


  When I got home and downloaded the photos, I had a whopping 300!  Guess how many are on there now, after I completed my very harsh elimination process?  30, at the most.  So, I'm happy that the session went better than I initially expected but I am very disappointed that I shot 300 images only to have 10% of them come out decent.  Does anyone have a solution/suggestion for this?  I'd love to hear them!

Sara