A four-point checklist for taking a great photo.
Shoot This:
- Client in natural light “Shoot early in the morning before the sun gets too hot,” says Heather Chapman (@heatherchapmanhair), an independent hairstyling educator and bridal stylist in Houston, TX, because it’s more complimentary.
- Lighting in front of client “Always face the light source,” says beauty and celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz (@Mikeruizone).
- Texture and hair color using a professional light “Proper lighting is better than a filter,” says Isabella Vazquez (@Curlpop_ nhair), a freelance editorial stylist based in West Palm Beach, FL. Attach a ring-light to your phone or camera.
- Hair at various angles (side, back, profile) Think about various shooting angles that work best for what you created. Try posing clients straight on, from the back and on an angle.
Not That:
- Client under fluorescent lights “Lighting inside of a salon is not the best,” says Ryan Pearl (@Ryanpearl123), a colorist at Cutler salon in New York City. Cool, fluorescent lights are unforgiving, and make complexions look sallow.
- Lighting over or in back of client Light streaming behind will cause glare, and light directly over the client will deliver harsh shadows.
- Filters on colored hair “Never use filter; it manipulates the real color,” says Pearl. Make sure you’re known for your coloring—not your app-editing—techniques.
- Hair from birds-eye view; more face than hair “Keep the focal point of your photos on the hair,” says Vazquez. “Be simple and clear.”
Pro tip: Improve the quality of your camera-phone photos with pro light add-ons. Find them on amazon.com.
Stumped on what to post on your social media accounts? Here’s a hint: consumers and your salon peers love to be inspired. So show them your best cut, color and texture styles. Here, a round-up of some of the posts American Salon and its social fans loved.
Many thanks to our program sponsors Matrix, Redken, Pureology, L'Oréal Professionnel, Baxter, Decleor, Essie, Mizani and SalonCentric for making this Digital Supplement possible.
1. Take On Texture
Styled by: Linh Phan IG: @Bescene Salon Name: Be Scene Studios Locations: DC, MD, VA
2. Color Chameleons
Styled by: Shelley Gregory IG: @Shelleygregoryhair Salon Name: Atelier by Square Salon Location: Las Vegas, NV
3. The Undercut
Styled by: Braid Barbers IG: @Braidbarbers Salon Name: Braid Barbers Locations: Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, England
4. The Bold & the Braid
Styled by: Stephanie Brinkerhoff, Color by Carolynn Judd IG: @hairandmakeupbysteph Salon Name: AVE Salon Location: Ogden, UT
5. My Precise Point
Styled By: Travis Smith IG: @Traviswsmith Salon Name: Sassoon Salon & Academy Location: Chicago, IL