VIYVA Beauty's Photoshoot

It has been two years since our first photoshoot, so I thought we needed an upgrade on our website and social media sites with new and fresh photos. Plus, we've added new makeup brush sets within those years.

Planning a photoshoot is really exciting for me because I get to choose the models and bring my creative ideas to life. But it's also pretty hard work to get the right team together, in the same place on the same day, and get the images that you want at the end of it all. When planning a photoshoot, the first step is to find a photographer and your models. How did I find my photographer and models you might ask. On Instagram! I just love Instagram...I use the app to find most of my local needs. I used the hashtag #sarasotaphotographer and #sarasotamodels and voila! Hundreds of photos and accounts popped up.

@lindseyxhudson modeling for VIYVA Beauty

As I am searching for my photographer and models, I already have a certain 'look' in mind. For my photographer, I wanted someone who is obviously professional and has experience with product photography. I don't know if it's me but it's hard finding someone who specializes in product photography. Most photographers out here focus on portrait and wedding photography. Which is fine, but as a business owner selling products I need to put the focus on my products not necessarily on the models. Anywho, I found a local photographer who could help me achieve my photoshoot goal.

Now on to the models. I wanted to hire two models for this photoshoot. As I was scrolling down the accounts and photos which are under the hashtag #sarasotamodels, I continuously noticed two gorgeous girls @tizkhalifa and @lindseyxhudson who have the exact 'look' I was going for. I was just stunned by their beauty and knew that I needed both of them to be in my photoshoot.

@thizkhalifa and @lindseyxhudson

Planning the shoot

Now that I have found my team, I first reached out to the photographer and asked if she would be interested in helping me create my vision. So, I sent her a few examples of what I was looking for as far as setup, colors, backdrops, model looks, etc.. and she was so excited with helping me on this project. Then I reached out to the girls and asked if they would be interested in being my models for this shoot. Again, I sent both of them examples of what I was looking for and both were super excited to be in this shoot. At that moment I was excited too!

Having everyone on board was the first challenge. The second challenge was to schedule the shoot when everyone was available. That took a lot of back and forth messaging. Instead of planning the shoot on a day that I knew I was available, I asked the photographer to give me several dates throughout the next upcoming weeks she had available. I then sent those dates to the models and hoped one of the dates would work for them. And surely it did!

Let's do this

On the day of the photoshoot, I of course got myself ready because I was going to be in the shoot as well. I also asked my brother to join so that he could take behind-the-scenes photos and videos. As far as our outfits and makeup look, I wanted something natural and clean. I didn't want anything to take the focus away from the actual products - the makeup brushes. The photographer was extremely nice and helpful and asked me to direct this shoot but honestly, I didn't have to because both the models knew exactly what I was looking for. My only job was really placing each product in their hand and they knew exactly how to pose to keep the focus on the brushes.

@tizkhalifa and myself

We all had so much fun during the photoshoot and the team was excellent. I will definitely be working with the girls again as they understood the assignment and brought out lots of laughter throughout the session. This will certainly not be our last photoshoot, so stay tuned for the next one!