Maine & NH Wedding Photographer //Why Hiring a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist (and Doing a Trial) Is Non-Negotiable for Your Wedding Day
As a wedding photographer, I’m in the business of capturing your memories—the laughter, the tears, and yes, how incredible you look on one of the most important days of your life. But here’s the thing: no matter how skilled I am with my camera or how perfectly the lighting falls on your face, your hair and makeup choices can make or break your wedding photos.
You’ve probably seen those viral TikToks of brides and bridesmaids trying to DIY their wedding day glam or trusting a well-meaning friend with a brand-new contour palette from Sephora. While those efforts may be filled with love, they’re also filled with risk. Let me explain why hiring a professional hair and makeup artist—and doing a trial beforehand—is essential, and why winging it just isn’t worth it.
The DIY Dilemma
Your wedding day is not the time to experiment with contouring, blending, or figuring out which foundation shade works with your skin tone. Makeup is an art, and doing it well—especially under the high-pressure conditions of a wedding morning—requires skill and experience.
Skin Tone Matching: Professionals understand undertones and how makeup will photograph under natural and artificial lighting. Trust me, a foundation that looks fine in your bathroom mirror might appear ghostly under my flash or turn orange in the sunlight.
Contour Caution: Contouring is a powerful tool, but it’s not forgiving. A heavy hand or poorly placed shadow can distort the natural beauty of your face, and that’s not the version of you I want to immortalize in your photos.
Longevity and Quality: Drugstore makeup is great for everyday life, but it’s often not built for all-day wear, tears of joy, or hours of dancing.
The Power of a Trial
Even if you’re set on having a friend handle your hair and makeup, a trial is a must. Think of it as your dress rehearsal—not for the vows, but for your confidence.
Avoid Surprises: A trial allows you to test how the look you have in mind actually works with your features and overall wedding aesthetic. It’s your chance to discover if that bold lip or intricate updo is truly you.
Refine the Vision: Sometimes, what we imagine doesn’t translate perfectly to reality. A trial gives you and your artist (or friend) the opportunity to tweak and perfect your look so there’s no guesswork on the big day.
Stress Reduction: On the morning of your wedding, you deserve to sip champagne and soak in the excitement—not worry about whether your eyeliner will wing properly.
The Photos Last Forever
When you look back at your wedding photos, you want to see a version of yourself that feels authentic, radiant, and confident. You don’t want to cringe at poorly matched foundation, uneven eyeliner, or hair that didn’t quite stay in place.
Trust me: I’ve seen it all. Brides who skipped the trial, used unfamiliar products, or relied on someone who didn’t fully know what they were doing often feel regret—and that regret shows up in their photos.
Why Professionals Are Worth It
A professional hair and makeup artist doesn’t just make you look beautiful—they ensure you feel beautiful. And when you feel beautiful. Professionals understand:
What works for your features.
How to enhance your natural beauty without masking it.
Techniques to make your look last through tears, hugs, and the longest dance party of your life.
You Deserve to Feel Confident
This is your day. You’ve poured your heart into every detail—from the florals to the seating chart. Your hair and makeup should reflect the same care and attention.
As your photographer, my ultimate goal is to capture the best version of you—the one who feels beautiful and confident. Let’s make sure your photos reflect that for decades to come.
Skip the Sephora experiment. Hire the pro. Do the trial. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.