Many people looking to take family or graduation portraits utilize natural light photography studios because of the airy feel and warmth the sun gives to images. The light will automatically give your skin a glow. However, you can enhance this effect with your makeup choices, as the guide below explains.

How to Look Your Best in Natural Light

1. Prepare Your Skin

Exfoliate your skin the night before the shoot to remove dead cells and create an even layer for makeup application. Once your face is dry, use a moisturizer so that your skin can hydrate overnight. This will help you to look fresh and young.

2. Use Primer & Foundation

Always put on makeup primer before adding any other products. This unique cream or gel can be tinted or colorless. Its role is to even out your skin tone by covering the pores.

Once the primer is dry to the touch, apply a foundation. If the veins in your wrist are blue or purple, you have a cool complexion. Greenish veins indicate a warm complexion. Those with a mixture of green, blue, and purple veins likely have a neutral skin tone. Use this information to find a foundation color that best works with your skin as many products are geared toward these undertones.

Powdered products work best when taking pictures at a natural light photography studio because they show more of your skin underneath—including elements like freckles—which will make you look more natural. Make sure to cover your neck as well, since it will also be photographed.

3. Utilize Highlighter

Apply powdered highlighter to the bridge of the nose, center of the forehead, center of the chin, and tops of the cheekbones. Use a contouring sponge or brush to blend these areas into the rest of the face until you have a natural glow that will look all the more radiant under natural light.

4. Use Blush

Finish the look with a touch of blush on the cheekbones as if you were a little flushed. Select a product that features the same undertones as your skin to give the impression you're not wearing makeup at all.

Those interested in renting a natural light photography studio to take pictures should contact studio ONE in Denver, CO. The 1,300 square foot space can be reserved by the hour or the day. Call the Centennial-area company at (720) 480-6783 to schedule a tour. Visit the website for information on their events and workshops or to explore the props they have available, including modern furniture.