Photoshoot - pay for MUA to follow?

[rachlsy]

Hi brides, would appreciate if any of you can share some advice on your photoshoot experiences. I understand that most bridal studios charge for the MUA to follow you outdoors (mine charges $250) - do you think it is a necessity from your experience?

Some friends told me that the makeup would be quite lasting because of the ampoule, and that I could get a friend to follow me to help with the gown. But as I have skin that will get oily at the end of the day (even after working in aircon office for the whole day), I'm afraid the eye makeup might smudge. Also worried about ruining the hair from wind etc.

What are your experiences?

 

[kaldorei]

It really depends on individual. For me, I would find it worthwhile as the MUA can help to do a different hairstyle for each gown and touch up the makeup. Also if the gown requires a more glamorous look, maybe a slightly different makeup like darker eyeshadow etc. After all, I am already paying a a big sum for the photoshoot for photos that will last a lifetime, so might as well spend another $250 to ensure that my makeup will be ok as well as having different looks for each gown.

Whereas for my friend, she only had two outdoor locations and one of them was in a building so she choose not to pay the MUA to follow her since she will not be outdoor for the whole day and instead use different hair accessories to create the different looks for the gowns.

 

[080315]

The bridal I sign need to top up with MUA follow but if I return to studio to redo hairstyle n makeup, it is free. Therefore we went out to first outdoor venue and after that go back to studio to change gown, hairstyle n makeup then head out again..

 

[jkwedding308]

Hi brides, would appreciate if any of you can share some advice on your photoshoot experiences. I understand that most bridal studios charge for the MUA to follow you outdoors (mine charges $250) - do you think it is a necessity from your experience?

Some friends told me that the makeup would be quite lasting because of the ampoule, and that I could get a friend to follow me to help with the gown. But as I have skin that will get oily at the end of the day (even after working in aircon office for the whole day), I'm afraid the eye makeup might smudge. Also worried about ruining the hair from wind etc.

What are your experiences?

I faced the same situation as you but the only difference is that instead of having oily skin, I sweat very easily and was also concerned if I'll end up smudging my make-up. I talked to my MUA about it and frankly, both my hubby and I were prepared to pay her extra to stay behind for the touch-ups etc. Thank God my MUA's a very honest person and she suggested that we don't waste our money like that (even if that means she doesn't earn the extra bucks haha). She explained that the ampoules used will make the make-up quite long-lasting and even if there's any touch-up needed, just bring own blusher and lip gloss and maybe only a lil touch-up would be needed. She was absolutely right. The make-up didn't run even though I was sweating and my mom-in-law came halfway during the photoshoot to help me touch-up my make-up (barely touched up much anyway) and change gowns. Didn't even touch up for the eyes at all. To avoid smudging your lip gloss, when you need to hydrate yourself, use a straw and drink out of a bottle rather than pressing your entire lips against a cup. I was also concerned about my hair getting ruined but my MUA and I agreed upon a bun style that will reduce the risks and that will still look good on me. She also taught my hubby how to remove the veil so that was what he did before I switched gowns - if a guy with no prior experience with removing hair clips off a girl's hair can do it without ruining the hair, it should be easy peasy for anyone to do it haha. Furthermore, my MUA has assured me that the hair spray will keep the hair in place - same goes even for hair-dos that involve long and free-flowing or curly hairstyles. Trust me, ladies, the post-photoshoot and post-AD showers are gonna be one of the longest showers you'll ever have. Even though my MUA has already advised me to use the conditioner first before the shampoo, it takes a few times with both stuff to finally get my hair soft and straightened out the way it usually is before the whole hairstyling thingy. So if it already requires so much effort when washing your hair to get the style undone, normal outdoor shoots shouldn't ruin your hairstyle that easily hehe. Anyway, have a talk with your MUA and get her opinion too. She would have recognized what sort of skin you have from your trial make-up session and if she's experienced with many different types of skin and hair profiles, she'll know if the extra "help" is needed or not. Hopefully your MUA will at least be as honest as mine and tell you the truth rather than telling you that you must get her to stay back just so she can earn some easy cash by doing some simple touch-up that anyone else can easily do... Have fun during your photoshoot! It can be long and tiring (my hubby and I were completely exhausted by the end of it even though it was only half a day - we were so much less tired on our AD haha) but it'll be an enjoyable memory that both you and your fiancé will remember...

 

[rachlsy]

Hi all thanks for your inputs!

@jkwedding308 thankd for your detailed explanation, appreciate it. I not only have oily skin but sweat a lot too like you! I guess a lot of it also depends on whether I want a different hairstyle midway. How many outdoor locations did you have? Care to share where they were?

 

[jkwedding308]

Hi all thanks for your inputs!

@jkwedding308 thankd for your detailed explanation, appreciate it. I not only have oily skin but sweat a lot too like you! I guess a lot of it also depends on whether I want a different hairstyle midway. How many outdoor locations did you have? Care to share where they were?

All our shoots were outdoor. We went to Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Clarke Quay and Hotel Fort Canning.

 

[rachlsy]

I just called the studio to clarify, if I pay for the makeup artist to follow, it is only 1 hairstyle change and 1 touch up. However because I am also going to have my own outfit, they said can have an additional, "very simple" hairdtyle change.

In this case it doesn't seem as worth it to pay anymore. Besides, I wonder how much of my hairstyle they can change since it'll be full of hairspray? Does anyone know whether an up-do can be let down later to a side-do?

 

[rachlsy]

rachlsy, try to limit the number of locations if possible and also please take note of the distance. Because you dont want to get yourself caught in traffic jam and end up rushing from one place to another. In the end, everyone will be tired and you wont be able to enjoy the session, let alone have a good photo shoot.

Thanks for the suggestion. We will only have about 2 to 3 locations, thinking of national museum, gardens by the bay/cbd and one more garden-y location (maybe hort park?) - all pretty close to each other I guess.

 

[jkwedding308]

I just called the studio to clarify, if I pay for the makeup artist to follow, it is only 1 hairstyle change and 1 touch up. However because I am also going to have my own outfit, they said can have an additional, "very simple" hairdtyle change.

In this case it doesn't seem as worth it to pay anymore. Besides, I wonder how much of my hairstyle they can change since it'll be full of hairspray? Does anyone know whether an up-do can be let down later to a side-do?

Yes, you can change the hairstyle but it'll take time. I'll give you an example from my AD as an illustration. For the morning session, I had an "up-do" in the style of a bun (you can see this from my profile pic). As my evening banquet's the same day, there wasn't ample time to rest in between much less sort out all the hair wash (remember what I said in my earlier post on how freaking long the shower's gonna take haha) but I've checked with my MUA beforehand just to make sure. By the time she came, all the hair pins were out (thanks to hubby) but nothing else was otherwise done to my hair. She just did some back-combing and took her curling iron and started doing a "side-do" as agreed upon for my evening look (you can check out my wedding videos to see the difference in the hairstyle - link in my signature below) - according to her, it's even better not to have my hair washed before the change in the hairstyle for a couple of reasons. If you don't dry your hair properly, styling it becomes harder. Secondly, with all the hairspray and stuff that still remains in the hair, when the curling iron is used to style the "side-do", the heat from the iron will melt the hairspray stuff and when the curling's done, the hairspray stuff will subsequently harden itself (after the cooling when the iron's removed) and the hairstyle stays in place. So yeah, it can be done, but it'll cost you time...

 

[rachlsy]

Thanks jkwedding398!

I wanted to ask also whether any of you brides have encountered a strange rule by your studio whereby once you wear a gown for the indoor shoot, they don't allow you to rewear it again for the outdoor shoot?

My package includes 4 gowns, out of which 1 white gown is only for indoors, i.e. the remaing 3 can be brought outdoors. Hence, I had intended to wear that white gown plus 1 evening gown for my indoor shoot, and then use that same evening gown for my outdoor shoot again later on. However I was told that I can't do that. I could only choose to wear my 2 remaining gowns as I had already worn 2 for the indoors, basically cannot rewear my outfits.

I think it doesn't make sense at all... Has anyone encountered this?

 

[jkwedding308]

Thanks jkwedding398!

I wanted to ask also whether any of you brides have encountered a strange rule by your studio whereby once you wear a gown for the indoor shoot, they don't allow you to rewear it again for the outdoor shoot?

My package includes 4 gowns, out of which 1 white gown is only for indoors, i.e. the remaing 3 can be brought outdoors. Hence, I had intended to wear that white gown plus 1 evening gown for my indoor shoot, and then use that same evening gown for my outdoor shoot again later on. However I was told that I can't do that. I could only choose to wear my 2 remaining gowns as I had already worn 2 for the indoors, basically cannot rewear my outfits.

I think it doesn't make sense at all... Has anyone encountered this?

My studio had no qualms what I wanted to do with my gowns during the shoot as I can collect the gowns a couple of days before the shoot and return it a few days later - all indoor, all outdoor, or mix and match: the combination's up to me. But yes, I'm aware how some other studios restrict the usage of gowns as you've mentioned, especially the white gown. This is all the more so if the gown cleaning cost is borne by the studio and you're not made to send the gowns for cleaning first before returning them to the studio (though my studio spared me from this too, thank God). Reason for the white gown one is pretty obvious: indoor shoot is less "dirty" hence less stains against a white gown (obviously stains will show more on a white than on a coloured gown). Almost similar reason for the other gowns - if you're going to wear the same gown twice for both indoor and outdoor shoots, the stains you're gonna get on that particular gown will be far more and cumulatively harder to get rid of as compared to if you only wear it for one shoot, which will mean a higher dry cleaning fee for them i.e. more money they have to spend = less profit. Hence why some studios have come up with the restriction...

 

[Taustaus]

Hi girls, anyone else can advise regarding this subj? My dilemma is, i kind of restrict myself to only 38 pictures (included in package)..im not sure if it is indeed worth it to top up for the mua artist if we dont have intention to top up photos..mine is all outdoor, but first location will be done in a hotel..then it will b parks, beach, mbs..

Photographer was saying if there is mua ard, at least he will dare to play with the veils. If nt if he accidentally do anything to the hair, there wont be anyone to salvage.

 

[Loveinstills]

Hi girls, anyone else can advise regarding this subj? My dilemma is, i kind of restrict myself to only 38 pictures (included in package)..im not sure if it is indeed worth it to top up for the mua artist if we dont have intention to top up photos..mine is all outdoor, but first location will be done in a hotel..then it will b parks, beach, mbs..

Photographer was saying if there is mua ard, at least he will dare to play with the veils. If nt if he accidentally do anything to the hair, there wont be anyone to salvage.

it would be helpful for the MUA to be around as she can also help out with your train besides the basic touch ups. Alternatively, have a friend to tag along so that he/she can help you guys in case their is no MUA. Also, try not to plan your timing against the MUA's or else you will be rushing your shots throughout. Have a good chat with your photographer and ask him/her for advise on how to make your shoot an enjoyable and fruitful one. Most important is, don't rush.

 

[quintyn]

Hi girls, anyone else can advise regarding this subj? My dilemma is, i kind of restrict myself to only 38 pictures (included in package)..im not sure if it is indeed worth it to top up for the mua artist if we dont have intention to top up photos..mine is all outdoor, but first location will be done in a hotel..then it will b parks, beach, mbs..

Photographer was saying if there is mua ard, at least he will dare to play with the veils. If nt if he accidentally do anything to the hair, there wont be anyone to salvage.

i wld reco to get the mua to follow, regardless of u not wanting to top up for photos. cos the mua can help u with ur gown and also touch up ur make up plus do some tweaks to ur hair so it wont look like its the same hair for every shot. plus when ure outdoors sometimes ur hair might messy or make up might need touching up. i topped up for mine and i tot it was super worth it.

 

[Taustaus]

Thanks quintyn & loveinstills for the tips yea..seems like getting mua is better..kind of paying for the added convenience & service, save ourselves headache frm the teeny weeny matters..

 

[blurbtb18]

Hihi! Not sure if this thread is still active.. Just to share.. We just did our PWS last week and were glad we decided to have our MUA tagged along throughout. HTB was the one who approached her to check on her availability when we did our final gown fitting for PWS because he was concern of the changing of gowns and touching up outdoor. It was really money well spent! We are really thankful to have her with us to help with the change of hairdo, gown and make-up. Aside from the MUA I think it will be good if you can have another friend with you to help achieve some special effects like tossing of the veil etc...