Hairstyle and Makeup Photography for Stylist Portfolio help

[Ballistics]

Backstory:
Wife is a hair and makeup stylist/artist/dresser (whatever you want to call it.) and she is very good, but is very shy when it comes to selling herself. She loves the idea of having a portfolio, but hates the idea of actually doing it due to a lack of confidence etc. She finally agreed to do it and we are working on getting volunteers to get something going.

Questions:

- Posing: Do I concentrate on the face and hair, like a simple headshot? Or do I add the torso and have their wardrobe add context?
- Environment: Do I go for a black or white backdrop? Or do I actually do it someplace to add color?
- Lighting: Below is a list of my gear. This is the best I can do for now. I think it should be enough for what I'm going for.
- Lens: I plan on sticking with the 70-200mm for all of the shots.

My idea for the style of shots:

Talia1 by The Photo Major, on Flickr

This was a test shot, so she's wearing a hoodie with white strings and I know it's distracting but it's just to give an idea of where I'm looking to go.

And if clothing is involved:

new by The Photo Major, on Flickr

Very old shot, with 2 weeks of experience behind a camera but another shot to give an idea. I would add a hair light too.

 

[Alpha]

You need to shoot a completely straightforward facial closeup with no clothing on the neckline/shoulders. Repost and go from there.

 

[MLeeK]

I'd do both. The close up that manaheim suggests as well as a bigger picture of the subject to really show off the effect.

 

[Ballistics]

I'd do both. The close up that manaheim suggests as well as a bigger picture of the subject to really show off the effect.

Where is manaheims suggestion?

 

[MLeeK]

I'd do both. The close up that manaheim suggests as well as a bigger picture of the subject to really show off the effect.

Where is manaheims suggestion?

Sorry! ALPHA! Somehow I thought I saw a bunny. Sorry!

 

[Ballistics]

Oh I see, a straight on shot seems so cliche' and boring though, no?

 

[Derrel]

I think a bit more light on the hairstyle would help. One of my nieces, and a bunch of her friends, are all in the hairstyling biz. They like to see "the hair" or "the huurrrrs", as they often say.

 

[Ballistics]

I think a bit more light on the hairstyle would help. One of my nieces, and a bunch of her friends, are all in the hairstyling biz. They like to see "the hair" or "the huurrrrs", as they often say.

Yeah I agree.

 

[KmH]

No doubt - light the hair too.

 

[Alpha]

Oh I see, a straight on shot seems so cliche' and boring though, no?

Go to the Revlon website and then report back on how many "interesting" angles and poses you see. You gotta nail the basics first. Learn how to shoot a face properly, then expand to hair.

 

[Ballistics]

Oh I see, a straight on shot seems so cliche' and boring though, no?

Go to the Revlon website and then report back on how many "interesting" angles and poses you see. You gotta nail the basics first. Learn how to shoot a face properly, then expand to hair.

I guess you're right. What I find funny that specifically the revlon website has horizontal head shots with the top of the head cropped off, which many members are so against here lol. I find that a little comical. Off topic, but interesting.

 

[Ballistics]

So when doing portfolio style shots, am I going for shots like this?

http://www.drewbarrymore.com/media/gallery/covergirl2009/2009 CoverGirl 1.jpg

 

[Derrel]

Oh I see, a straight on shot seems so cliche' and boring though, no?

Go to the Revlon website and then report back on how many "interesting" angles and poses you see. You gotta nail the basics first. Learn how to shoot a face properly, then expand to hair.

I guess you're right. What I find funny that specifically the revlon website has horizontal head shots with the top of the head cropped off, which many members are so against here lol. I find that a little comical. Off topic, but interesting.

You're obviously pretty wet behind the ears. You just don't "get it", do you! Hilarious. You take a general guideline, and envision it to be some kind of blanket statement.

Take a look at a leader's work. MAYBE you MIGHT learn a thing or two. Stephen Eastwood | Photography Beauty and Fashion Photographer, Canon Explorer of Light and PrintMaster

 

[Ballistics]

Go to the Revlon website and then report back on how many "interesting" angles and poses you see. You gotta nail the basics first. Learn how to shoot a face properly, then expand to hair.

I guess you're right. What I find funny that specifically the revlon website has horizontal head shots with the top of the head cropped off, which many members are so against here lol. I find that a little comical. Off topic, but interesting.

You're obviously pretty wet behind the ears. You just don't "get it", do you! Hilarious. You take a general guideline, and envision it to be some kind of blanket statement.

Take a look at a leader's work. MAYBE you MIGHT learn a thing or two. Stephen Eastwood | Photography Beauty and Fashion Photographer, Canon Explorer of Light and PrintMaster

Derrel, wtf are you talking about? Are you assuming again?

 

[Derrel]

Just responding to your facile comments in your post. Your naivete is showing. Good luck.