From Concept to Creation: Shooting Beauty Portraits Centered on Eye Makeup
When it comes to beauty photography, collaboration is everything. This recent shoot was all about the eyes—specifically, creating bold, creative eyeshadow looks while keeping the rest of the makeup clean and minimal. It was a creative exploration, and it wouldn't have been possible without a strong partnership between myself and the makeup artist.
Planning the Look Together
Every beauty shoot I do begins with a collaborative conversation and a shared moodboard. I like to exchange ideas with the makeup artist, send inspiration references back and forth, and tailor the vision based on the model’s unique features and skin tone. Once I have a photo of the model, I always share it with the makeup artist so we can fine-tune the look, ensuring it enhances her natural beauty.
We arrive on set with a solid plan in place, but I’ve learned to always leave room for flexibility. The lighting, the mood, or even the model’s energy on the day can inspire small shifts—and I fully trust my makeup artists to tweak, adjust, and creatively explore as we go. Especially on creative shoots like this one, that freedom often leads to some of the best results.
Building the Makeup Look Strategically
For this session, we started with lighter shades and gradually layered darker tones. This order is intentional—it prevents irritation (especially on fairer skin tones), and it’s much easier to build depth than to remove pigment if something doesn’t work. Working this way also allows us to keep the makeup clean and precise as we move through each look.
Some of the eyeshadow was placed subtly in the inner corners of the eyes for a fresh, editorial feel. Other looks involved full-lid coverage, creating more drama and contrast. Each variation brought a new dimension to the shoot.
Capturing the Detail: Photographer’s Role
Before we lock in a final setup, I always take a few test shots—zooming in on the eyes to check for:
Patchy blending
Smudged lines
Fallout under the eyes
Stray pigment or texture issues
It’s easier to fix these on set than in Photoshop later.
Once I’m confident in the detail, we move into final shots. I like to capture a mix of wide and tight frames so we have variety—some showcasing the overall beauty look, others focusing entirely on the eye area.
Post-Production Touch-Ups
Even with a clean application, a little retouching can go a long way. In post, I typically:
Fill in any light spots in the shadow
Slightly boost the saturation of the eyeshadow to match what we saw in person
Sharpen the eye area for added clarity
Dodge and burn around the lid and brow bone to add dimension
Remove any redness from the eyes and brighten the whites just enough to keep things looking fresh but natural
