It’s that time of year! Many business owners like to take some time at the end of the year to celebrate their business and the people who make it possible. For better or worse, these festivities are often accompanied by – you guessed it – all the photos! From group pics to mistletoe shots to candids, here’s how to make sure you look great in front of the lens.
Get comfy AND cute
If there’s ever a time to bust out your fancy-schmancy cocktail attire, it’s the holiday season! I like to dress loudly, so I usually go all out with my fave sequin dress and some statement shoes (I’m thinking over the knee boots this year!). “Kristina, how can you be so glam and so comfy?” you might ask. I am ALLLLLL about the comfort of my clothing choices. I’ve learned that if a strap keeps falling down when I’m getting ready to leave, it’s going to keep falling down all night! Same with that skirt that turns around when I’m walking, or the dress that I only like how it looks when I’m standing up or the shoes that are pinching my feet. Bottom line: managing your outfit for an extended period is tough to pull off and it’s hard to fake an expression when you aren’t comfy in what you’re wearing. So glam up, go all out, and make sure you feel as good as you look!
Just wing it….your eyeliner, that is!
Unless your party is during the day, odds are that you won’t have natural lighting in photos. Here’s how to make sure your makeup looks great under all those flashes.
- Use full coverage foundation: skip the BB cream this time and opt for something that evens out your skin tone
- Skip the contour: Okay, you don’t have to totally skip contouring if it’s your jam, but be conservative with the highlighter. This goes double for under your eyes! Flash photography will exaggerate the highlight and wash out those peepers! Make sure your highlighter or concealer is no more than one shade lighter than your foundation.
- Be bold:I like to keep most of my face neutral and then add in a bold touch, like a burgundy wine lip color. Another combo I love to see is a super shimmery eyeshadow with a peach lip. I adore seeing people’s creativity show through their makeup and those details can really pop on camera.
Remember, these aren’t corporate headshots. Have fun with your style and don’t be afraid to try something new!
But most of all…
Alright, I’m going to get a little cheesy but here is the best advice I can give you for shining bright in front of the camera: love yourself. Believe it or not, that inner light shows up in photos and as a business photographer who has shot a million and a half women, it brings me joy to see it every. single. time. You might not like every photo of yourself at every gathering, and that’s totally normal! You have so much beauty even when a photo doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would. So let that light shine and have so much fun celebrating your accomplishments this year!