Professional portraits capture more than just a trusted look; they also show off your confidence and personality. While the setting, background, clothes, pose, and expression can contribute to creating a great portrait, your hair and makeup can make you feel confident. And the camera can see that.

As a photographer, I’ve seen how having a talented hair and makeup artist can make a huge difference in how people look and feel in their photos. And let’s be clear – makeup isn’t just for women; men can benefit from it too!

Don’t take my word for it; let me show you.

A man having makeup applied to his face — Mandy Corbett applies makeup to me in her home studio before a photoshoot. Photo by Mike Higdon

The Magic of Professional Makeup

A good hair and makeup artist knows how to highlight your best features, ensuring you look amazing in front of the camera. They don’t just apply makeup; they understand how lighting, color temperature, and angles work to create a flawless look.

A woman posing on a couch with hands near her face — Mandy Corbett of MeBeauty. Photo by Mike Higdon

I work with MeBeauty’s Mandy Corbett to create confident looks for clients. She can make all kinds of styles that fit you.

Today’s cameras and optics are so sensitive that we have the opposite problem of decades ago. In the past, photographers spent a lot of time sharpening images to bring out detail, but now I spend time softening features in post. That sharpness can draw attention to dryness, wrinkles, and blemishes that even the average human overlooks, both because our eyes aren’t great and also because we don’t perceive these flaws in each other when talking face to face.

No one is a worse critic of a portrait than themselves. Combine sharp images with staring at yourself for too long, and it’s no wonder hair and makeup can help allay the fear of posting a portrait for all to see. And don’t forget, we’re all so used to seeing ourselves in mirrors our whole lives that we rarely see ourselves as the rest of the world does.

A woman posing with hands on her hips — Annie’s attitude changed completely during this shit in Mandy’s home. Photo by Mike Higdon

Boosting Confidence

One of the biggest perks of having a hair and makeup artist is the confidence boost. When you look good, you feel great. The artist can even out your skin tone, reduce shine, and cover up any redness, giving you a smooth and polished appearance. For men, a little touch-up can go a long way – things like groomed brows, moisturized skin, and a bit of bronzer can make a big difference.

Mandy also works with a client’s hairstyle to achieve a polished look to tame any frizz or fly-a-ways, add volume with products, and conceal thin spots if needed.

The concern I hear the most from clients is that they worry how comfortable they will feel in studio and how they will like the photos of themselves. While makeup and lighting can’t eliminate all fears, it certainly can make a dramatic difference when seeing yourself makes you say, “wow!.” Think about how much hair and makeup can make a bride feel good on a wedding day, or how a news anchor looks more authoritative on TV.

Why Men Should Consider Makeup

For guys, the goal is to get an even skin tone, reduce shine and redness, and keep your skin moisturized, including your lips. Grooming your brows and facial hair and adding a bit of bronzer to enhance your bone structure can take your look to the next level. These subtle tweaks can help you look fresh, clean, and confident in your photos.

I’m self-confident about some discoloration under my eyes that the dermatologist said would require laser treatments. I’m sure someday I’ll blast my face with some intense light rays, but for now I’m happy that Mandy can even that discoloration out for a more defined look. I already moisturize and have a skin routine, but many men don’t, and that’s where a little touch-up can help.

After taking these photos with my wife, we canceled the rest of our plans for the day and went on a romantic date to a French bar in town to show off.

Key men’s products:

Brow gel
Chapstick
Translucent Powder
Matte bronzer
Powder foundation
Concealer

A woman shown twice with and without makeup — Before and After for Annie’s makeup. Photo by Mike Higdon

Enhancing Beauty for Women

For women, makeup is all about defining features, evening out the skin tone, and adding some dimension with blush and bronzer. Concealer can brighten your complexion, and nicely groomed brows perfectly frame your face. These techniques reveal your natural beauty and ensure your personality shines through in the photos.

Key women’s products:

Mascara
Foundation
Blush/bronzer
Eyeshadow
Lip color/gloss
Eyeliner
Concealer
Brow pencil

Makeup, hair brushes and cosmetics on a countertop — Mandy’s makeup studio is fully mobile and comes with all kinds of colors and options for people with different skin tones, colors, complexions and types. Photo by Mike Higdon

A Smart Investment

Hiring a professional is worth it. Whether for a corporate headshot, personal branding, or a special occasion, having that extra touch ensures you look your best. It’s not just about looking good in the photos; it’s about feeling confident and ready to take on the world.

In the end, whether you’re a man or a woman, the value of hiring a professional hair and makeup artist can’t be overstated. It elevates the quality of your portraits, giving you stunning, timeless images that you’ll want to share with everyone.

You can add Mandy’s services to any portrait session for $250 and about an hour in the chair. I will help coordinate with her so you don’t have to.