Opera and vocal performance has become an image driven business. It’s critical to look as good as you sound.
I received an email from a lovely lady named Veronica as per my request of anyone sending in questions. I hope to receive more from all who need advice on photography, makeup, and image (wardrobe, accessories, etc…).
I am having a blast writing to you and hope to give great insightful tips and pointers that can help you with all your image and marketing needs. Email me at devon@devoncass.com and I’d love to answer any of your questions.
Here’s Veronica’s email:
Dear Mr. Cass,
I am Veronica Lopez and just happened to check out your website due to multiple recommendations from fellow performers who have had the pleasure of working with you on their head shots. I have two questions for you. First is a makeup question and the second a photography question. My makeup question is when I go on auditions, how do I create the perfect smokey eye without it taking too long and making a mess with the shadow? I usually end up looking like a raccoon! LOLS!
Secondly, every time I get head shots done with photographers, it seems they always make me look too sharp and garish due to my strong structure. Is there anyway if I book a shoot with you that you can make me look more soft, warm and youthful in my pictures unlike my prior photography shoots?
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Sincerely, Veronica
First, to answer the first part of Veronica’s on how to create a smokey eye question:
1. The easiest and cleanest way to create a smokey eye is to first take a loose powder and, after applying your foundation and concealer, take the puff or blush brush and place a nice amount of powder under the eye on the cheek bone. (This looks messy at first, but allows the shadow that will fall on the cheek under the eye during application to be brushed away with a blush brush when finished, eliminating the chance of dark and messy smudges under the eye created by the black or dark eye shadow.)
2. Then take a silver or champagne color highlight shadow. With a sponge applicator or eye shadow blending brush, apply it pressing harder at the arch of the brow and lighter as you move down to the crease for a soft blend. (You want to make sure to do it like this so when you are applying the darker shadow in step 2 you the two shadows will blend effortlessly.)
3. Then take a very black eye shadow, (The best I have found being Carbon by Mac) and with an eye shadow blending brush, apply it starting as close to the lash line as you get pressing harder all across the lid and as you move up with the brush press lighter above the crease going into the metallic highlight shadow you just applied. (The consistency of the metallic shadow mixed with the darker shadow makes the blending process easier and gives a beautiful blend if applied this way.)
4. Then with a liner brush and the same dark shadow creating a line following the entire lower lash line.
5. Then apply mascara or false lash for the finishing touch to a beautiful smokey eye!
Now to answer Veronica’s second question regarding how to soften her strong bone structure photos.
When someone comes to me who has very sharp structure and requests to make it look softer, the way that I do this is by lighting them with two ambient soft lights on each side of them created by attaching soft boxes to the two strobe lights. This lights both sides of the face, eliminating any shadows that would define the facial structure if you were using a strong harsher strobe or strobes without the soft boxes. This teqnique is also great to soften wrinkles, creating a more youthful-look, if this is what the client requests. I always want to create an image or images for my clients that showcases their best potential but at the same time still looks like them. This is what I strive for whether I am doing a casual or glamour look.
For all who are interested, I will be at the Classical Singer Convention in May, May 24-26 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in Boston. I am offering a special attendee photo shoot at the hotel for $399 (Payments plans accepted, inquire for details).
This includes:
– 2 changes(casual and formal)
– Hair / Makeup / Styling included
– 1 touched up image, a $45 value (reg $995.00 NYC) untill the end of Oct.
There are limited time slots available so schedule as soon as possible if you desire a session!
Please email for details on how to schedule to devon@devoncass.com or call 347-995-9421.
