My first facepaint photoshoot! Unpaid, but will get free photos

by Mehndi Masala Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:00 pm

My first model shoot! Forgive the pix, these are NOT from the pro…just my lame capture so I can hope his turn out awesome! Lessons learned time!
- Have an idea before you go. I knew we wanted her to match her snake but still not be fully painted as she didn’t want her face to be too obscured. So KNOWING she had an idea for what she was hoping for….I should have made at least a sketch before hand.
- Ensure you really do have enough time. Model pushed time forward by an hour and a half. Only had 3 hours for everything. For a pro…no problem. For a newbie with no gameplan? Not so much.
All and all I would have changed the belly as the color matched the snake BUT in looking at the over all effect, the neck could have made a nice illusion if it had tapered smaller from the chest. Should have painted right into her armpit more. Would have loved to have spent more time and gotten more detail in the scales. Her pants were unbuttoned so I figured I went down low enough to account for cloths gaping - I figured wrong. Belly button rings and very fold-y ‘outies’ are a challenge to get ‘filled in’. The model wanted very little on her face. I did too little for my tastes. Could have done more and she probably would have been more than fine with it. Should have read up more on snakes and things like hairspray. Would have liked to seal the paint but was nervous if baby was sliding up mom, would this be an issue? Better safe than sorry. As far as degree of difficulty, etc. I’m thinking this is pretty rinky dink compared to the big guns here, but I’m pretty pumped about my first effort!!

All in all?? Awesome experience and next time I’ll be better prepared. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again….THANK YOU ALL! Without you there would be no shoot, no learning curve and no snake lady!
XXXOOO

Any additional hints that you may feel you can give, I would love to hear em!!

My first facepaint photoshoot! Unpaid, but will get free photos Img_3324_800x600

My first facepaint photoshoot! Unpaid, but will get free photos Img_3324_800x600

My first facepaint photoshoot! Unpaid, but will get free photos Img_3323_800x600

My first facepaint photoshoot! Unpaid, but will get free photos Img_3322_800x600

My first facepaint photoshoot! Unpaid, but will get free photos Img_3321_800x600

by Perry Noia Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:05 pm

looks great to me Very Happy

Good job!

by makin faces by synni Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:09 pm

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
did u make the stencils for the patterns up the arms and belly(the little diamond shapes)?

by cc Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:12 pm

Kim, I think you did AWESOME!!! I love the "snakeskin" texture on her arms and sides! I hope you didn't let your nerves get in the way of enjoying the experience. You did great! cheers

by wmeventservices Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:48 pm

Wow! That's awesome. Congratulations on your first.

by Mehndi Masala Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:56 pm

Thanks for the kindness guys! Nah.....maybe it's because I've done so much bridal henna or TV/photographers, teaching... but I don't seem to have nerves. I *do* get a bit frustrated if I'm short on time but try not to let it throw me off. MOST of the time I'm successful.

I did put a bit of thought into the scales. I was going to just put them all on by hand. Then I carved a template out of foam. I took thin foam from the dollar store (I think it is crafters/scrapbook foam??) and carved out scales. This worked ok. But the sheet was small. I brought it anyways but ended up using a pouncer, a sponge and a fishnet stocking. I loosely followed the same pattern that the snake had. I would have done a bit more but this was the minimum I could get away with doing and stay on time. BUT I doubt that I would have done a whole lot more...sometimes less *IS* more. I would have done a 'cleaner' job in some places tho.

by Magic Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:02 pm

Freaky! It should be fun- looks great.

by JBax Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:50 am

It turned out great. Yep, you almost always have to plan for twice as much time as you expect. And as far as the model not wanting her face covered.... pfft. I tell my clients all the time (from 3 to 45yrs) "Trust your Artist," it's in your best interest to make her fabu, she should go with it. With TFP, you need to get everything you want out the images as well, you know, otherwise they should be paying. (Wow... I feel soap-boxy... sorry. I do a lot of Trade for work, and most models jump at getting painted cause it a rare thing for one's portfolio, so they tend to be on time and very open to whatever I want to do.)

But, none-the-less, it looks good. I love how you used the textures in the scales.

by AllieDawn Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:08 am

WOAH that's fantastic!! Great job!!

I am also (hopefully Monday) going to do my very first belly painting for a photo shoot in exchange for professional pictures!! I'm really anxious to see how it turns out! I'm sure I'll be sharing..

by MichelleLA Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:47 am

It looks awesome!!! and I agree that many times "less is more". I love the way you gave the model elements and characteristics of a snake without going overboard.

Well done!!!!