How Female Fitness Models Prepare For A PhotoShoot

Hello Everyone! I get countless questions about prepping for a photo shoot. I wanted to take this opportunity to go over skin prep and tanning. These are very important parts of any shoot. Your skin should look flawless, smooth and have a nice glow!

Skin Prep, tanning and makeup:

Make sure you exfoliate properly before your shoot, especially if you are getting a spray tan, or applying your own color. If you are getting sprayed, check out your local tanning salons online, and see if any of them offer first time customer discounts. You can shop around and see who has the most competitive rates and the best equipment. IF you spray, I would recommend going the day before your shoot. Then you will be able to shower the excess color off, for a more natural looking glow. I personally like to mix my own color. I do not tan in a tanning bed, and even though I have a fairly good color, I do need a nice fresh glow for a shoot.

How I Mix It:

I mix the Jan Tana 10 minute Ultra High Def color with Burt’s Bees Radiance lotion. I mix it in a small tupperware, until it is the consistency of a light lotion. I wear gloves to apply the color. You will need help applying this color to your back, as you wont be able to reach it very well. Wait 10-15 minutes for the color to dry, before putting any clothing on. Make sure you have some darker makeup or a really good bronzer to use on your face, so you don’t appear to be two different colors. I would recommend using a self tanner on your face for a few days prior to your shoot, so you have a good base built up. Then use a bronzer on your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, for that fresh, sun kissed glow.

Make Up Artists:

If you are new to photo shoots, and don’t have much experience with makeup, you may want to use a makeup artist to help with your first few shoots. You may want to ask the photographer if he or she has worked with any makeup artists that they would recommend. Or, you can check out makeup artists/stylists on the internet, and see if there are a few that are located close to where you are. Once you select one, you may want to go through a trial run with them, to see if you like their work. They should have a portfolio of their work that you can look at, as well as a price sheet. Watch how they apply the makeup, and what kind of colors they use, so that you can learn to do it yourself. You can also ask if there are any products that they would recommend you purchase for future use. If you like the makeup artist, make sure that you get their business card, so you can use them again, or refer friends to them! Also, if you have a card, make sure you give one to them as well. Networking is the name of the game, get good at it!

Makeup:

If you are comfortable doing your own makeup, great! You will want to stay fairly natural with your look, depending on what your pictures from the shoot are going to be used for. If you are doing headshots, and closeups, even fitness stuff, go for a fresh, clean, healthy look. A great way to make your look a little more eye catching, is to use false eyelashes! They will make your eyes look bigger, and really pop in your shots! You can always look in magazines and online for ideas for makeup colors and techniques!