If handled properly, makeovers can be very lucrative. In all my years involved with photography I have never come across a man who wanted a makeover. There may be some out there but I have never found them. Consequently, I look upon this as an aspect of photography designed to please the fairer sex.

But before going further, what do we mean by a makeover? Well, in photographic terms it is the combination of a professional make up session, often including the hair, followed by a studio portrait sitting designed to maximise the photographic potential of the sitter.  More often than not a properly managed makeover session will produce results that make the client look younger.

I would like you to compare two photographs of the same person. The one on the right was taken using an on-camera flash right at the beginning of the makeover session. It has to be said that it is not very flattering and I know that the lady in the frame would be more than happy to never see it again.

Now look at the shots over the page. Yes it is the same person and you probably won’t be surprised to learn that she was delighted with the results from this sitting.

I think the difference is there for all to see. Putting the posing to one side, this has been achieved primarily in two ways. First the subtle application of make up and hair restyling plus the use of controlled, soft studio lighting. For the background, I simply threw a rug over the sofa in my lounge. The final point I wanted to make about this particular session is that no computerised enhancement was used for any of the images.

You will not, however, be making any “silk purses out of sows ears” but I am yet to come across a woman who has not been delighted with the results of a makeover session.

Moreover, these days, results can be further enhanced by computerisation – for example, removing any lingering laughter lines or perhaps an unsightly moles etc.

A variety of computer hardware and software plus books on the topic are readily available and some examples that Amazon supply have been included below.

TIP : If you would like to experiement with this aspect of photography, you might like to click on the banner on the top righ tof this web page - EXPOSURES PHOTOGRAPHICS. They are offering a free makeover and photographic session which will give you first hand experience of how this art is practiced. If you don't fancy the makeover for yourself, take the wife, girlfrien, your Mother - I'm sure who ever you chose would appreciate it !!