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Weddings

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Welcome to my blog, where I share highlights of everything from my client's wedding days and portrait sessions, to recent features and our adventures around the world. 

Hi, I'm Alicia.

Ten Tips for the Perfect Glow

Nov 9, 2017

It’s no secret that every bride wants to look and feel her best on the big day. Part of that usually includes a bit of a tan as, well, white dresses can wash out just about anyone! I know many brides still get a bit worried about spray tans — Will I look orange? Is it going to come off on my white dress? Will it be streaky? — but they have advanced so much in the past 10 years and are much safer than the alternative! Here are a few tips to ensure your spray tan will leave you with a natural looking glow. 

1. Don’t get your spray tan the night before or day of your wedding! Any leftover residue takes 1-2 showers to be completely removed from your skin to ensure it doesn’t transfer to your white dress. You’ll want to let it set in for 6-8 hours before showering for the first time.

2. Moisturize! Dry areas will naturally get highlighted in a deeper shade, so exfoliate and moisturize your skin well the week leading up to your sessions to ensure an even layer is applied. 

3. It may seem contradictory to the tip above, but do not moisturize immediately BEFORE your session as it can create a barrier. Same goes for makeup, perfume, deodorant, etc. 

4. Do a practice run — well in advance! There are so many different types and levels to choose from that you’ll want to do a test run to ensure you’ve selected the right one. Even the most experienced wedding photographer will have to charge extra for the extensive edits that come from too orange of a tan! 

5. Research! I’m totally and completely Type A and barely enter a restaurant without fully researching it. Be sure to read reviews on the salon or ask friends for recommendations. Don't want to blend in with your white dress but scared of a spray tan? Fear not! Here are 10 tips from a Washington, DC wedding photographer for the perfect glow. Don't want to blend in with your white dress but scared of a spray tan? Fear not! Here are 10 tips from a Washington, DC wedding photographer for the perfect glow.

6. Coordinate with your wedding party. It’s completely understandable why most brides want at least a bit of tan before their big day — white, after all, tends to need a bit of a pop! Your bridesmaids, however, may not think they need a tan since they are wearing blush or gold. But your tan will only be further emphasized but their lack of tan! A coordinated wedding party looks best in photographs. 

7. Manage expectations. Getting a spray tan doesn’t mean your skin is going to look like J.Lo’s. There is the perfect shade out there for everyone based on their natural color and you simply want to enhance that — not paint your body in color!

8. Avoid tan lines. Just like laying out in the sun, wearing a bikini top will leave lines after your spray tan that will be visible in your wedding dress. 

9. Shave or wax 24-hours in advance. No hair removal is recommended the day of your session. You can absolutely shave in the days AFTER your spray tan, but avoid anything within 24-hours to ensure your pores have time to close.

10. Wear a hair net! Blondes, this especially applies to you to avoid any of the spray residues from coloring your hair! Keep your ears exposed and make sure the net is just at the top of your hairline. Don't want to blend in with your white dress but scared of a spray tan? Fear not! Here are 10 tips from a Washington, DC wedding photographer for the perfect glow. Don't want to blend in with your white dress but scared of a spray tan? Fear not! Here are 10 tips from a Washington, DC wedding photographer for the perfect glow.

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