Heather Mills Photography and guest contributor, DaraLyn Wells, owner of Styled by DaraLyn
The secret to looking your best in family photos isn’t adding more—it’s knowing what to avoid.
This message is for the woman who wants to look and feel like the best version of themselves in their photos.
3 Beauty Mistakes to Avoid Before Family Photos
DaraLyn Wells, owner of Styled by DaraLyn
You've picked your outfits. The kids are (mostly) on board. And you’re just days away from your long-anticipated session.
Now let's talk about one thing that can make a surprising difference in your photos: your hair and makeup.
After years of styling clients for family sessions, I've noticed a few common beauty choices that don't always photograph the way people expect.
The good news? They're easy to avoid—and a few small adjustments can help you look polished, confident, and most importantly, like yourself.
1. Exaggerating Makeup and Hair
When you are getting photos taken, it’s normal to get dressed up and elevate your daily look.
As a professional hair and makeup artist, I've found that a polished, natural look photographs best. Exaggerating makeup and hair can feel unrecognizable for someone who doesn’t do it on the regular.
My advice is to do your daily look and elevate a couple things: like a little pop of soft color on the lips or cheeks and some false eye lashes.
2. Too Voluminous Eyelashes
Wearing eyelashes is very common, especially for photo shoots. When they're done well, false lashes don't stand out—they simply enhance your natural beauty: for the more open and awake look, definition that won’t get lost in camera, and to give your eyes a stand-out moment without too-heavy eye makeup.
Too much volume, though, and false lashes can create a heavier look, making your eyes appear less bright and expressive.
My recommendation: individual lashes or lashes that have a very small band so they get close to the lash line.
Bonus tip: to blend even further,
I recommend wiggling a little dark brown liner or eyeshadow powder
at the lash line with an angle brush.
3. Poor Timing
Timing is everything when getting ready for family photos. Ideally, if you can have the day (or afternoon) off of work that can help ease the afternoon of your photo shoot–having enough time can make all the difference between both how you look… and how you feel.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, your family photos aren't about perfect hair or flawless makeup. They're about preserving this season of life with the people you love most. So don't stress the little things. Be present, enjoy the experience, and know that these images will become some of your family's most treasured keepsakes.
DaraLyn Wells helps women look and feel their best, in her salon chair at Blush Salon (Albany, Oregon) and while working with clients at Heather Mills Photography (in the Eugene area and beyond).
A quick word from Heather Mills:
Time and again, we:
hear gasps,
see jaw-dropped expressions of shock,
and sometimes even tears.
After experiencing:
professional hair and makeup styling from artists like DaraLyn
artful coaching and posing
purposeful and flattering lighting
women are transformed before their very eyes—and not into something else.
They’re transformed inside —> out from seeing proof:
of their own beauty.
How many times have you questioned it? Wondered it? Thought: am I beautiful?
It’s a fight many of us take up:
in the mornings,
with every mirror glance,
and before entering a space with new and old faces.
But what if you didn’t have to fight it alone?
After all, it’s my mission to help you see YOUR beauty. Join in today.
Thank you again to DaraLyn Wells, owner of Styled by DaraLyn.
Be sure to say hello to her at:
