Some people dive into their hobbies more than others but I was still surprised when my old friend said he had been photographing models. "You can take a look at my web site. I'll send you a link." He had been doing this for some time and his photos are good, professional. I was so impressed.
Despite the offer to photograph me, I hesitated. Typical. I don't think of myself as plain, just not photogenic, and I don't go out of my way to have a photo taken. (I have a pretty undocumented life.) Still, two years later, I wanted some photographs. We scheduled a studio shoot.
For professional photos, I would need professional makeup. Ian said, "Spoil yourself" and he set me up with Zab Azhar, a freelance makeup artist. I drove across the city for our appointment. This was going to be an experience. I knew it wouldn't be like applying my own makeup so I hoped I would learn a lot from her and I did.
As instructed, I had arrived with a nude and moisturized face and she knew what look was required. (I would have had no idea.) Step 1 was applying more moisturizer. I think the foundation came next as she mixed it on a palette matching it to a spot on my lower cheek. Was it matte or shiny? It was in between. Too matte or too shiny would both emphasize wrinkles. Then came the brows - Okay, I wasn't sure what to think now. I don't wear a lot of makeup and I'm pretty tentative with brow makeup so I had some apprehension. Luckily, Zab had warned me that I would wear quite a bit of makeup for the camera and it wouldn't look like too much.
I was spellbound as a perfect plastic version of me appeared in the mirror and I lost track of the layers. I remember she used eyeshadow for my eyeliner before the false eyelashes went on and she applied more afterwards. Layers - that's what I learned. Zab told me that makeup is built up slowly because the mistake of applying too much would mean mostly starting over. She explained that my eyebrows could have been done later but this made it easier for countouring around them.
She put a little package together that included blotting paper, a little lipstick and something like a fancy Q-tip for dabbing my eyes if they watered, warning me that watery eyes could ruin the makeup. Then I was off to Ian's.
It was a warm day and I kept adjusting the fan, a/c and vents in my car while dabbing my eyes with the Q-tip. Would sunglasses wreck the foundation on my nose? Will I poke myself in the eye with this little stick before I even get there?
In the studio, Ian directed me and gave me tips on what the professional models do. As this was my first shoot, I needed plenty of help with poses. He said that in time you will learn what looks good for you. Just make one pose and then wait for the camera to click before moving. Sometimes it's good to go through a slow sequence of similar poses. For instance by rotating your body or head in a series of movements, it means you are certain to have a photo with your best angle.
I learned about finding my light, the angles of my arms and legs, the direction of my feet, and not to spread my fingers. We had an afternoon of experimenting. I had brought outfits, he had props, and the lighting added an entirely different dimension.
What do they say about pictures being worth a thousand words?
In the end, I had some good business shots, probably a photo for my mother, and a greater awareness of what I actually look like (or can look like) other than what I see in the mirror. Plus it was fun! Ian made me feel comfortable and BEAUTIFUL saying all he did was press the button! What a day!
Ian Thompson
Zainab (Zab) Azhar - Freelance Makeup Artist
Photos 1,4,5,6 by Ian Thompson.
Photo 2 from the iPad of 
Photo 3 by Zab Azhar.
