Make-up is considered an essential accessory for a bride. Even women who never use make-up in their daily lives, usually want to try it out for their wedding days. But I have learned, from my experiences, that each bride has a very distinct style and preference when it comes to make-up. Some don’t care what the make-up artist does as long as they make the bride look good. Some will monitor every step of the process, from the brand of products being used, to what technique the artist will be using like traditional brushes and sponges or airbrushing.

Also, waterproof make-up is usually standard practice for a bride since the ceremony and 'Vidaai' tend to get quite emotional. No one wants their make-up to be running down their face with the tears! Bridal Makeup photoshoots make an important element of wedding photography.

• Follow a skincare routine before your D-day

Days before your wedding day you must start your skincare routine. Let the artist give you a skincare routine to follow every day until the wedding. In case you have skin issues like acne, hyperpigmentation, or pimples, get them treated by a dermatologist. Having extreme skin problems may worsen your condition on the application of makeup products. At times, acne can prevail till your wedding day and make your makeup look bumpy. Scars and pigmentations can be hidden with concealer and color corrector. But zits cannot be completely hidden with makeup.

• Talk to your makeup artist before the shoot

Always let your makeup artist know about the shoot beforehand. Also, you’ll need to be comfortable with having a wedding photographer in your personal space while you get ready. I’ve had just 2 or 3 brides only, who have not wanted photos of them getting ready. What I try and do is be very careful not to get in their way.

When the bride is getting ready it’s usually in a room at home or a hotel room. So there isn’t much space to move around. There are at least 2 or 3 people getting the bride ready. Makeup artist + assistant + hair person + maybe a saree draper. Because I work alone, I have the advantage of not creating a crowd in the room. If at all there would be one more person to shoot videos for the wedding film. It can get tricky to maneuver around, but if you’re careful and polite it can be easily achieved.

• Shoot in a well-lit space

Make-up should always be done in a well-lit area. That would help you get good photos and allow you to see any flaws in the make-up itself. It will also show you how your skin is responding to the various products being applied. Getting ready in a dim room then walking outdoors to find the colors look completely different, can be quite disastrous. It’s surprising how often I’ve come across a situation where neither the bride nor the make-up artist has been prepared for this and that causes panic at the last minute in trying to find a place to sit and get ready.

• Get a trial done before the final day

The make-up process should start with a makeup trial well before the wedding. First, make a list of artist recommendations through friends and family. Find out about their packages and availability and check their work portfolio. Shortlisting some artists based on budget and then doing a trial with 2 or 3 of them, to be sure of what to expect, is very important. It would be putting too much trust and responsibility in the person if you didn’t do a trial.

• Start the shoot after the base makeup is done

Photos come out well when the skin is hydrated, moisturized and prepped. All blemishes and pigmentations are covered up with base makeup. Since the base makeup needs to set well in your skin, give it sometime before your artist begins with the rest of the makeup. After this, the detailed makeup begins which, stage by stage, can be shot until the final look is complete.

Wedding photography is all about capturing moments and memories. Every ritual, every step on the wedding day is important for the bride, groom, and their loved ones. Similarly, the makeup shoot also is a moment worth capturing because it is a 'once in a lifetime’ feeling for a woman. If you are a soon-to-be-bride, talk to your wedding photographer about the makeup shoot. Also, keep a considerable time slot fixed for your makeup. Generally, bridal makeup takes 3 to 4 hours to get completed. Do not hurry with your makeup because that can ruin your entire look.