Men’s Makeup for Headshot Photography
Posted under: Depending on what you are trying to get across in your headshots for the Los Angeles and Hollywood industry it is sometimes ok to have no makeup at all… an image as a more gritty, tough character such as a villain for example might benefit from having more going on… such as a “scar” or a little “oilier skin” even a blemish or two might define who that type is… if you have decent or really nice skin complexion…no need to add makeup no matter the type… perhaps a little translucide loose powder to take down the shine (if necessary)… in regards to a scar, again it depends how you want to come across in your headshot but it isn’t recommended to try and conceal a scar completely, you might want to take it “down” some but ultimately when you show up at your casting it will be there… so you want to look as consistent as possible in your headshots…
I feel that sometimes a little concealer under the eyes will help take care of slight darkness due to fatigue, stress, etc… Also I personally use a light concealer to even out skin tones then use translucide, light, loose powder and it works great… looks very natural.. the idea is that in your headshot you look like you have no makeup “on”…
In my photography sessions there is no charge for “basic” men’s makeup, I can take care of it myself (I’ve been doing headshots in Los Angeles for many years) and I do not charge anything for that basic service… meaning you do not need to book a professional makeup artist… I have taken headshots for men that prefer to have a professional makeup artist at the photo shoot and that’s fine… If they have the budget to book a professional makeup artist and they feel more comfortable with that approach then I book someone for them.
Great post, I was always curious of I should wear makeup if I am going to get my headshots taken. Now I know that men only need very little.
Hi Daniel, for Los Angeles headshots… yes typically you want to keep the makeup to a minimum. Casting directors and people putting projects together want to see an actor’s headshots as natural as possible… in my opinion a Los Angeles headshot photographer should be able to do basic makeup for men…. a conscientious photographer should make sure you do not have to incur a cost for that service or have to hire a professional makeup artist. There are exceptions… if a client is adamant about having someone there, then of course the photographer should provide one.