“Wait… hair and makeup are included?”
I hear that response on almost every consultation call.
When a mom reaches out to book a senior session, one of the first things we discuss is what the day will look like. As we walk through the experience, I explain that professional hair and makeup are already included in the session fee.
Without fail, the response is usually:
“Wait… what? That makes our lives so much easier! We don’t have to schedule that separately?”
Exactly.
As a Pittsburgh senior photographer, I photograph high school seniors from Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, South Fayette, and surrounding communities. I know how busy senior year can be. Between school, sports, activities, work, and college applications, schedules fill up quickly. That’s why I strive to make the portrait experience as effortless as possible for both seniors and their parents. Having hair and makeup already planned removes one more thing from your to-do list and is just one of the many ways I create a luxury senior portrait experience that allows seniors to relax, feel confident, and enjoy every moment of their session.
Every Senior You See on My Website Started with JL Makeup Studio and Beauty Boutique
More than ten years ago, when my senior photography business really began to grow, I quickly realized that managing both my calendar and hair and makeup appointments separately could become overwhelming. I learned early on that reserving both at once was key to creating a smooth experience for my clients.
That’s when I met Joy.
Over the years, Joy and I have become much more than business partners—we’ve become friends. We regularly work together when she provides hair and makeup services for my branding and headshot clients at my studio. Some of my favorite memories each year are our Christmas lunch and gift exchange. We also spend time talking about business, brainstorming ideas, and finding ways to better serve our clients.
A Makeup Artist I Trust for My Own Family
When you recommend someone to your clients, trust matters.
My family and I have used JL Makeup Studio for family weddings, the Medallion Ball, and my daughter’s high school dances.
Recently, my daughter Ellie attended her junior-senior prom. Like many girls, she arrived with inspirational photos and a vision for how she wanted to look. After Joy finished, Ellie looked at me and said:
“Joy is like a magician. How did she make it look exactly like the picture?”
As a mom, that moment meant everything.
Ellie also had one very specific request: she did not want eyebrow pencil or brow powder used. Joy listened carefully, honored her request, and made sure Ellie still felt completely like herself.
She looked glamorous, confident, and absolutely beautiful for prom.
Your Makeup Should Still Look Like You
Professional makeup artists use techniques and products to create a polished, natural look that enhances your features while photographing beautifully in natural light. By selecting the perfect foundation, eyeshadow intensity, and contouring level, and possibly even adding false eyelashes, your makeup artist will work with you to create a look that reflects your personality.
One of the things I love most about working with JL Makeup Studio is that every look is customized to the senior. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Some seniors want a very natural look.
Some want just a little extra polish.
Others love full glam.
Whatever your style, the goal is always the same: helping you feel beautiful and confident while still looking like yourself.
Natural: Soft and fresh with minimal makeup. Perfect for seniors who rarely wear makeup and want to enhance their natural beauty. No false eyelashes.
Elevated: A little more definition and polish with a touch more makeup while still keeping everything soft and timeless.
Glam: For the senior who loves a bold look. Think dramatic eyes, lashes, or a statement lip for extra confidence in front of the camera.
More Than Beautiful Photos
Senior portraits are about more than photographs.
They’re about celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime season and creating an experience that makes seniors feel confident, beautiful, and cared for from the moment they arrive.
Including professional hair and makeup is just one of the many ways I make the experience effortless and memorable for my clients.
And when a senior girl arrives for her session, all she has to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy being pampered.
Because senior year only happens once, and you deserve to feel amazing.
