Hi everyone! I don’t know if this is timely or not since everybody’s schedule is different, but I thought I’d offer up some tips for having a great grad photo (since mine looked pretty killer, if I do say so myself).
1. Makeup
Now considering all of the grad photos I’ve already seen, I think it’s safe to say that makeup and colour in general doesn’t quite show up as well on camera as it does in real life. Grad photos are your opportunity to go a bit bolder with your colour palette, or, if you want to keep it classy, a neutral palette with a few metallic tones is a great option for all skin tones. Generally speaking, there are three basic things that can always make you look like a better you: brows, lashes, and lips. You can get away with a lack of blush because these three things not only frame the face (the brows are especially important here), but give you a generally more awake look. Don’t forget that grad photos are flash photography, so going matte with your base makeup is always a great option to prevent a shiny t-zone in pictures. Michelle Phan has great tutorials, here and here.
2. Hair
When taking grad photos, you want to be conscious of the fact that you are wearing a graduation cap, so consider opting for hairstyles on the sleeker and slightly less voluminous side – otherwise hair can end up looking puffy under the cap. A sleek straight look or some soft waves are always great go-to’s. Don’t forget to tame those pesky flyaway hairs! My favourite way of doing this is applying hairspray to an (unused) toothbrush and gently combing it through to keep hairs down for a polished look.
3. Clothing
The gown is a v-neck, so on your picture day make sure you’re not wearing any high-neck shirts, otherwise it’ll end up showing through underneath your gown! But you can wear a great necklace, either a statement or a classic string of pearls.
4. Posing
You may or may not get a lot of freedom with this, depending on the photographer. A couple days before, feel free to test out a few angles. Just remember to stay relaxed! People can tell if a smile or pose looks forced or awkward, and the result is often less than great.
5. Don’t forget to smile!
Show off those beautiful teeth with a smile – again, make sure it isn’t forced. If it helps, think of a joke in your head that makes you laugh for that genuine, beautiful smile..
Good luck on your photos!
And because I’m a total narcissist, my own grad photo is the featured image. I look great okay?