Your First Campaign Shoot

Makeup artist touching up a model's makeup at a pool photoshoot



YOUR FIRST CAMPAIGN SHOOT

As a lash artist, you may want to do a professional photoshoot for a beauty campaign for content for web, social, or other use within your business. This is a great opportunity to show off your work and get your name out there. However, there are some things you should keep in mind when doing a photoshoot.

Makeup artist touching up a model's makeup at a pool photoshoot
  1. First and foremost, you should always be professional. This means being on time, being prepared, and being respectful of the photographer and the other people on set.
  2. Second, you should know your craft. This means being able to apply lashes quickly and efficiently, and knowing how to style them for the camera.
  3. Third, you should be able to take direction. The photographer will likely have a vision for the shoot, and it is your job to help bring that vision to life.
  4. Fourth, you should be flexible. Things change on set all the time, and you need to be able to roll with the punches.
  5. Last but not least, have fun! Photoshoots can be long and tedious, but they’re also a great opportunity to get your work captured in a way that will live for a very long time and serve your brand well.

KNOW THE CAST ON SET AND THEIR ROLES.

Photography sets can be anywhere from 5-20 people on set. With Sugarlash PRO, our largest campaign shoot had 21 people including models. But at the very minimum (if you're doing a high end shoot — you will have the following people)

Photographer - in charge of taking the photos

Creative Director - in charge of the overall vision and concept of the shoot (often times, you!)

Lighting Assistant - in charge of setting up and maintaining the lighting (always one, usually 2)

Hair and Makeup Artist - in charge of making sure the models look their best

Photography Assistant - in charge of making sure focus, lighting, and shots are what the creative director envisions.

Whole crew at a pool photoshoot

As a lash artist, you will be working with the hair and makeup artist to make sure the lashes are applied correctly and look great on camera. It is important to be able to take direction from both the photographer and the creative director, as they will likely have specific ideas for how they want the lashes to look. If you are acting as the creative director, you will need to have a clear concept on what lighting, lashes, shots, and makeup you want and lead all aspects of the shoot.

SOME IMPORTANT ETIQUETTE FOR ON-SET

  • When crossing in front of the photographer, always say "crossing" so they know to stop shooting. You would use this if you need to brush lashes, fix hair or makeup, or do a change.
  • If you need to move a light or reflector, always ask the lighting assistant first. They know exactly how the lighting works and what will need to be changed. You can tell them "I'm feeling like this is a little washed out, I want the light sharper" — they'll be happy to adjust until you're happy.
  • Respect the photographer's equipment - don't touch it without permission. It's all VERY expensive so be aware of your surroundings.
  • If you're unsure about something, always ask! There are no stupid questions on set.
  • Understand that as the paying client, you are allowed to change your mind! If you have a vision but all of a sudden you aren't feeling it — simply tell them what you want to try. Experimenting until you hit your stride is okay. The team wants you to be thrilled with the photos/video. Try and keep feedback positive — "I'm liking this a lot and its really close to my vision, but can we try adjusting the shot angle higher to see the lashes better?"
Photographer and photographer assistant at a pool photoshoot

Don't be intimidated to do a photoshoot! It's a lot of fun and you'll be so proud of the images afterwards. Most importantly, you'll walk away with images that last for years and are uniquely yours. A good campaign elevates your branding and business reputation.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENTIRE FLOW OF A PROFESSIONAL CAMPAIGN

1. Pre-production  

    Pre-production starts with a mood board. A mood board is a collection of images, colors, textures, and/or patterns that represent the feeling or vibe you want for your project. For example, if you want your project to feel modern and sleek, you might collect images of high-end fashion editorials, all-white interiors, and lighting inspo.

    The mood board helps the entire team understand your vision and act as a reference point for making decisions throughout the project. It's also a great way to start a conversation with your photographer, videographer, creative director, hair and makeup artist, etc. about what you're looking to create.

    Once you've determined the feeling of your project, it's time to start thinking about the logistics. This is where you'll determine the details of your shoot such as the location, number of looks, number of models, what type of hair and makeup you want, props needed, etc.

    The more specific you can be in your pre-production planning, the smoother your shoot day.

    2. Production Day

    Production day is when all the pre-production planning comes to life! This is the day of the shoot where you'll see your vision start to come together.

    Make sure to arrive on set with a positive attitude and plenty of energy. Shoots can be long days (sometimes 12+ hours) so it's important to be prepared.

    Models posing in a swimming pool

    3. Post Production

    Post production is when the photographer or videographer takes the images/footage from the shoot and edits them to perfection. This is usually done in Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Premiere Pro.

    During post production, the creative team will select their favourite images/clips from the shoot and edit them to match the mood board/vision. Best practice for lash artists is to have them send you 40-50 of their favourite images for you to make final selections from. A usual campaign is around 10-15 final images. Then, your team will edit these images to ensure the entire vision is realized. You'll be sent completed photos 2-3 weeks after shoot.

    Final photos from pool photoshoot

    CONCLUSION

    A professional photoshoot is a great way to elevate your lash brand and business reputation. By understanding the pre-production, production, and post-production process, you can ensure a successful shoot that meets your vision.

    Want more tips on elevating your brand? Join us for LashPRO Accelerator 2023 (waitlist open) or browse our Accelerator Collective for bitesized modules!

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