A while ago (before my haircut and change of hair colour) I had some professional photos taken at Cake Images here in Singapore. I wanted some professional photos to promote this website and my business and I was generally curious what kind of photos could be accomplished with this all in one package. This professional photo package includes:
- Full makeup
- Hair Styling
- Several outfit changes
- Lots of photographs taken, from which you can select your favorites
It’s always interesting to see for me how I can look if I look a bit more ‘polished’. I made a point of getting my nails done and made sure that the colour of my hair was ‘just new’ (no grey roots!). The makeup artist then spend probably more than an hour doing my makeup and styling my hair. The makeup was much heavier than I usually wear it, so that was interesting too.
And here are the results. What do you think? I kept the clothes fairly simple and clean. I incorporated my white sailor pants to stay true to me and used both my Calvin Klein dresses for more dressier looks. I think I could have probably done a bit better here and styled it all a bit more. I should definitely have put my hair in place after each outfit change, as my hair ruins some of the images. But this was my first time getting photographed in a studio, so that is a good lesson learned.
Why should you have professional photographs taken?
I think that if you are running any kind of business, it will be a good investment to have your own professional photographs taken. You can present yourself in a professional way and get good high resolution pictures that you can use in pictures and press releases.
But even if you’re not a running a business, there are some great benefits at getting some professionally taken images of yourself or your family.
- You capture a moment in time of a certain age. You may think you are old now, but wait until you are 70. At that age you will not believe how incredible you still looked at 40.
- It’s fun to see how you look with full makeup on and seeing yourself in a a few of your best outfits. That pleasure of seeing these nice pictures may last you for years.
- It’s nice to get some photographs of you and your family that look really good. A good photographer will give you good hints on how to hold your head and your posture. Of course I was reminded to put my shoulders back and tilt my head a bit lower. For me these were great lessons for taking my own photographs! You will receive photos in high resolution, which means you can blow them up as big photos for your walls, calendars etc.
- it can be a special day out for you and your family. It may take a little bit of planning as you will need to pick outfits etc, but you can turn it into a day of fun and doing something new!
Have you had professional photos taken recently? Also curious, which of my photos above is your favorite?
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Sylvia,
I just came upon this post for the first time today. I love how relaxed and happy you look in each of the photos. They’re lovely. I love the way the make-up artist did your eyes–it makes them pop! I may just have to follow suit and have professional shots taken of me!
thanks Jessica. It was great to look at them again for me too!
Nice shots!! The picture with your silor pants and black top, sitting in the chair is the one I like the best. You look so casual and relaxed and at the same time confident.
Personally I prefere not to be photoshoped, if I can choose: I want people to recognize me when they see me. I have seen such heavy examples I could not pick out the right person in a crowd.
Thanks Stella. I wanted to have fun with these pictures and just see what would come out. I agree that they have probably been photoshopped too much, but since I balance that out with many pictures on this site with hardly any makeup, I thought it would be fun to show the difference between the pictures. I think that normally professional pictures should look a bit more ‘polished’ so a little bit of photoshopping would be fine.
I agree. I vow to take professional shots every few years. thanks for the reminder and for sharing on Monday Mingle. And I’ll be in Singapore this summer, maybe we can meet IRL!
That would be a lot of fun, but I’ll be away for a large part of the Summer (at least the whole month of July) so hopefully I will be able to catch you. Let me know when you are here!
You look gorgeous in those photos! We just had our family photos taken. It’s fun letting a pro work her magic!
Thanks Kristin!
I like the professional photos, but I have to say I like your “normal” photos even more. You’re so cute and chic and that really comes out in all your photos, professional or not.
That is a lovely compliment Heather. Thanks!
I realy liked your photo’s. And although you say that you have a lot of make-up on. That doesn’t show, because there is a softness in your face. Anyway I do like your red dress.
Thanks Marianne! The photos with the red dress are pretty good, I agree. I still don’t have a good photograph anywhere on the site of the back of this dress which is pretty interesting. Should do that some time….Thanks for commenting and contributing to the forum!
I’ll be the odd one out since I immediately thought that I very much preferred your other, more natural, self. And that’s a good thing, isn’t it? 🙂
It is because that’s what I’m like most of the time 🙂 And although the makeup looks good on the photos, it felt like too much for me in real life.
I so agree, you look amazing like usual, with your statement pieces!
Thanks Megan!
The photos are lovely, especially the one with the lavender top – that colour makes you “pop”! I agree with the whole professional photo thing, and am over-due for another family sitting myself. I do however think the photos you have of yourself at home are just as lovely, and well posed with good backgrounds, and very natural looking, which is another excellent “look” as well as the polished look.
Yes I like photos with backgrounds as well. Would love to have a bit more variety in the backgrounds though!
So would I in my photos haha, but my surroundings are limited. As is my time. Therefore my photos on your forum are all taken in my living room and garden.
Stunning photos! Love all the outfits…my fav has to be the red dress! Just gorgeous!
Thanks Jeannie!
this makes me really want to go & get professional pictures done of me. looks like so much fun!! and you look wonderful.
hope you had a great weekend! {I have a giveaway going on right now & would love for you to enter. amyreneonline.com}
Yes, it is a lot of fun and you learn more about photography, posing and applying makeup!
By the way, I have been looking at the photos quite carefully, but for the live of me, I cannot see anything wrong with your hair in any photo. But I know where you are coming from. Hair with me, is the same worry.
Do you not see the strand of hair in the top picture at the top that looks funny? My hair looks best with the purple outfit, but then it starts frizzing after the change of clothes and I forget to comb the hair again and smooth it out!
Oh, I hate having professional shots done. You look great! Wish mine had turned out as well:) Have enjoyed poking about your site….Melinda
thestyleexpress.com
Thanks Melinda. Hope you have better luck next time!
I totally agree that professional photos are a great idea. Although the trend is to take more candid and casual shots in the blogosphere, I think there is a place for both. It makes sense that your outfit posts are the “Everyday Sylvia” and that you also have these super-polished images for profile pictures and promotional tools.
All of these pics look great. I especially love the ones with the black top and white pants – they seem both relaxed & engaging. I do like the last one for something like an announcement of a speaking engagement – you appear approachable, yet authoritative.
When I have had professional pics done in the past, I have taken a friend with me as a “stylist”. This helped immensely since she was able to make sure hair and makeup were in order and fabrics were smoothed. It kept everything moving and reduced the need for photoshop later.
Congrats on your pics, they look great.
That is such a good idea Lisa. Only might be a bit boring for that person as the shoot takes 3 hours! (including hair and makeup)
These are wonderful, Sylvia – I love the professional make-up and your poses look so natural.
thanks Patti!
very beautiful pictures,,,and very professionally done. My favorite is the first one. You look very natural and comfortable in front of the camera.
mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
Thanks Mongs. I had a lot of practice this last year 🙂 I like the first one too. Just very annoyed but that those hairs that are misplaced at the top of my head (from changing clothes….)
You look absolutely amazing, and like Greetje says, you look at least 10 years younger:) However I think you look great in your regular photos to, just so you know;) I ‘ve never done a professional shoot including make-up, styling and retouching, but looking at how lovely your photos turned out, I’d love to try!
It’s fun to do so can definitely recommend it. You could also do it together with your family!
First a big compliment: indeed you look stunning. If I was this person I would wear eye make-up every single day. Then a nasty question: were these photos photoshopped? Because you look at least 10 years younger. Your skin looks so smooth.
And yes, I had a professional photographer do a series of photos, but that was 23 years ago. All the reasons you give for doing such a thing, are so true. I do look at them and think: wow, I was really nice looking (at the time of course I would have disagreed).
Yes of course they are photoshopped! Professional business images are meant to look a like a bit more polished look of you. No point highlighting the wrinkles and pimples… You will know from all my other photos that I don’t look this good!
Hahaha LOL. I read lots of articles about photoshoping, also through the blog of one of your readers. She had two photos of herself: one normal and the same one photoshoped. That is why I saw it with yours. Don’t worry: you look fine. No need for fixing anything.
They are all great, really. And I LOVE the (eye-)make up!
I know you would love that 😉
Your eyes really sparkle in ALL of these photographs.
Thanks Terri. It does look good on these image. IRL I thought the eye makeup was too much, but for photos it’s good to splash on the makeup!
You look amazing in these photos. Wow! They are all great but my favorites are you in the red dress and the white sailor pants (so you!) with the dark top. You really should wear eye makeup more often. Just stunning. 🙂
I know but it’s just too much work for me. Plus, my eyes get irritated and I still wouldn’t be able to put eyeliner on myself!