When you think about all of the things that go into selecting your inspiration for bridal glam – what first comes to mind…? Do you think about the season – spring, summer, fall… maybe winter? Do you consider your florals, and the overall color scheme and vibe they create? Do you contemplate bridesmaid dresses, and your natural features?
Do you consider how you normally look on a day to day basis? The level of coverage and contrast that you usually gravitate towards? Is your vision largely impacted by the way that you see other artists on TikTok creating trends…?
Plot Twist – Have you ever considered the way that your photog edits? The hues that they focus on when bringing their art to life? Not many clients (or even makeup artists) actually take time to sit down and look at the photog’s edits, and consider how to tweak the makeup style to complement the bride’s vision AND the artistry your selected media team will create.
Let me explain…
Your selected photographer will have a very distinct and beautiful style, likely that focuses on one of three categories: Bright and Airy, True Tone, or Moody – each stunning, each unique. But why does it matter? It matters because you’ll likely have to tweak your makeup in real life to ensure that it translates perfectly in photos. And it takes a skilled makeup artist to not only understand the way those tweaks impact your finished product, but also finding a way to mindfully implement those tweaks in a manner that’s subtle but impactful.
When you select a photographer that edits with pastel, soft, and airy edits – you’ll want to consider how much their editing style will soften your makeup and your features. For my clients with airy edit photogs, I usually focus on enhancing the cheeks by adding more opacity to the blush and layering a few formulas and shades to make the coloring soft yet impactful. I also recommend opting for neutral or taupe tones, maybe even a soft pink – nothing super yellow or too warm/golden. The trick here is always to opt for a monochromatic aesthetic to ensure you can see dimension in your features, but in a way that just feels beautiful, ethereal, and cohesive.
One thing to keep in mind – I recommend increasing the makeup level/volume/depth just a teensy bit – think of it like increasing the volume from a 4 to a 6 – but trust me that it will still look stunning IRL and flawless in photos!
True Tone edits are always most versatile when it comes to the makeup style you opt into. Soft clean girl aesthetics will still look soft and natural in photos, think Sofia Richie and Hailey Beiber vibes. Conversely, a strong, pronounced, and dramatic aesthetic will also look more sultry in photos – think deeper volume, more vibrancy. Again, with True Tone edits, this is going to be the closest to what the colors were translated as on wedding day.
A trick I like to use is pulling one of the accent shades from the decor or floral palette, and using that to build the undertone of the overall look – again – monochromatic looks will create dimension, but also build a cohesive and timeless color story.
Edits that lean a bit more moody are stunning, but it’s imperative your artist understands the photog’s editing style because a little extra drama IRL… can quickly turn muddy or orange dependent on the hues the photog focuses on. Moody edits are beautiful because they often include higher contrast in the photos, bringing a different level of depth to life. Your makeup artist should study the editing style and work WITH your wedding color story and photog’s contrast levels.
Pro Tip: I like to go a little softer, and use less warm tones (warm bronzers, deep red browns, strong gold), because with the levels of saturation most moody edit photogs use, it will amplify the depth, and it can get orange quickly. Gentle warmth is always the way to go – it creates an overall “golden hour” meets “sunkissed beachy glow” vibe.
One final tip that I always give my clients is to schedule an engagement makeup and hair session IN CONJUNCTION with your engagement session. This is not only your first time working with your photog, but it’s also a fantastic time to try your desired bridal aesthetic WITH your photographer’s edits, months before your preview or wedding day. 10/10 Recommend. And as an added bonus, you aren’t left stressing over whether your contour is blended sufficiently, that’s your makeup artists’ job.
The moral of the story? There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to the type of photographer or makeup artist you select, but it DOES help to ensure your makeup artist has examples of work that also reflect your photographer’s editing style – ensuring a harmonious look for your wedding in real life and in photographs!
Vendor Team Details:
Photo One – Bright + Airy Photography
Venue: Catalyst by Nature Link | Nisswa MN
Photography: Rachel Elle Photo
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Coordination: Reagan Mahar Events
Florals: Malana Sophia Florals
Gown: Klaudia and Co
Tux: Nisswa Tuxedo
Photo Two – True Tone Photography
Venue: Stone Hill Farm Venue | Eagle Bend MN
Photography: Rule Creative Co
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Coordination: Sota Weddings
Florals: Kalie Korfe
Gown + Tux: Jackie Js Formal Wear
Decor: White House Co
Photo Three – Moody Photography
Venue: Longview Events | Prinsburg MN
Photography: Hannah K Photo Co
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Florals: Rustic Flower Farm
Photo Four – Soft and Airy Photography
Venue: Gathered Oaks | Alexandria MN
Photography: K Johnson Photography
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Photo Five – True Tone Photography
Venue: The Regency | St Cloud MN
Photography: Rule Creative Co
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Coordination: The Events Paige
Florals: Wild Thyme Floral
Photo Six – Moody Photography
Venue: Gathered Oaks | Alexandria MN
Photography: Madalyn Vermeer
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Florals: Flour + Petal
Gown: Grace Loves Lace
Photo Seven –
Venue: Gathered Oaks | Alexandria MN
Photography: Photos by Nic
Makeup + Hair: The Glamour Ranch
Florals: Flour + Petal