Photoshoot Success leads to National Wedding Blog Exposure

In April 2017, I was lucky enough  to take part in a wedding photoshoot at Park House Hotel, Shifnal. I am super excited to reveal to you that since the shoot, the photographs have been chosen to be in the prestigious wedding directory website, Hitched.co.uk wedding blog and here is that link!

I’m so excited, I think I could burst! Photoshoots are often kept under wraps by those who have taken part in the shoot but here is a unique insight into the day from makeup artists’ viewpoint.

Wedding Makeup Styling to Meet the Brief

I arrived at Park House Hotel to a warm welcome from the Hotel Manager, Ross and his fabulous team. I was promptly shown up to the bridal suite to set up my makeup table, chair and products ready to start soon after. Next to arrive was Sarah, from Sarah’s Mobile Hair, the chosen hairdresser for the shoot. We hadn’t worked together before. Once we had set up, we took time to discuss the requested bridal “looks” that we had been asked to create and discussed the style ideas we had for hair and makeup. As a makeup artist, I have to work quite quickly on the day and establish some basic facts when it comes to styling and expectations to ensure I am meeting the photoshoot brief.

At 8.45am our first model, Jess arrived along with her partner and fellow model, Josh. We also saw the wedding dresses for the first time and Julieann from Julieann Bird Designs showed us the range of hair accessories/jewellery to ensure that they fitted with the overall “look”. It was time to start! To ensure we captured all the images required, the schedule was tight; keeping to time was crucial. Having worked in the wedding industry for 13 years, I’m used to timescales.

Elegant Wedding Makeup for Blue-eyed Jess

I started with Jess’ eyeshadow and individual lashes, which when completed, looked elegant and glamorous. I chose warm colours which complimented her blue eyes, the classic look gave her a warm glow. Sarah prepped her hair whilst her eyes were being completed, giving Jess a real feeling of VIP pampering, she said she would love this attention when it comes to her wedding day…she just needs to secure the date with her fiancé Josh! 

The off-the-shoulder style of wedding gown meant that I had to ensure her makeup didn’t stop at her neck/chin but was blended perfectly. As with every client, I ensured her makeup looked flawless, so that it could be photographed from every angle. I even added some highlighter to her collar bone to accentuate the neckline perfectly.

Makeup Artists Constantly Check the Fine Details  

Once dressed, I applied a little bit of finishing powder and setting spray before models Jess and Josh headed off downstairs to the photoshoot. As a makeup artist, it was my role to ensure that the models’ makeup was looking flawless at all times including lipsticks topped up and ready for the camera at all times. All suppliers at the photoshoot, we were also to be on hand to help change “scenes” and tidy up where needed, which gives us perfect behind the scene experience of all aspects of the photoshoot from start to finish. We were even allowed to share images from behind the scenes using the hashtag #BTS .

On Location Around the Wedding Venue

The first wedding photoshoot scenes were located on the stunning staircase which wraps around the main hallway in the original part of the building. With several landings, there was perfect opportunity for photographs to be taken with the Bride and then with the Groom. We then moved to capture some fabulous images of the Bride on the LOVE letters in the hallway before we made our way into the civil ceremony room for some wedding ceremony shots. The models laughed and smiled for the camera, whilst Caroline and James from JOL Photography worked hard to capture the all important photographs.

Changing Colour Creates A Different “Look”

I was asked to change the Bride’s lip colour for the second half of her shoot and chose a rich plum lip colour and magenta cheek colour. Being dark haired, Jess looked stunning with this new colour and rocked it brilliantly! 

Ethereal Look for Model Bride Sophie

After a short break, our second model arrived. Sophie is a beautiful blonde with long hair and the hairdresser, Sarah decided to create an ethereal half up/half down “do”. Makeup wise, the brief was english rose with a pink lip. I blended the eyeshadow colour to compliment Sophie’s sea blue eyes before applying individual lashes, some rose blusher and a rose pink lip. Sophie looked so beautiful…mission accomplished!

We headed down to yet another ceremony room which had be beautifully decorated with blossom trees by Perfectly Unique Occasions. The room looked like a scene from a movie and provided the perfect backdrop for the photographs. My makeup artist role complete with topping up the lip colour, Sophie was handed her beautiful hand tied bouquet, the look was complete. I’m sure you will agree that she looks breathtaking!

Action Shots of Laura-Louise Makeup Artist 

Photographers James and Caroline led Sophie into a room at the front of the venue and set up this gorgeous scene on the beautiful Chesterfield sofa located in front of a window. Whilst in situ, the Brides’ makeup needing touching up and so James captured this action shot of me doing what I do best, ensuring the Bride shone from each and every direction! I love these action shots… thank you James!

That’s a Wrap…

The photo shoot and the high energy levels continued until 9pm that night and right up until the last moment, the models were looking fabulous thanks to the long lasting makeup, professional application and lip touch ups throughout the day. All the suppliers who could, stayed behind to help pack away at the end and by the end of the day we really felt like #TeamBride.

It was hard work but totally and utterly worth the early start and the late finish, I’m sure you will agree that the Brides look AMAZING. Thank you Jess and Sophia for writing such fabulous testimonials about my service on the day. You can read the testimonials from Jess HERE and from Sophie HERE

I hope you love the photographs as much as I do,