Master's portfolio: how to take beautiful photos of nails for Instagram

How does a client decide which beauty salon to choose and which nail artist to trust with their hands and manicure? In 2021, it is primarily "word of mouth", that is, advice from friends, colleagues and acquaintances, as well as… Instagram. Yes, today this social network is not just a place where you can photograph the brightest moments of life, creating a digital photo album, but also a platform where the master declares himself and his talents.

Instagram of the manicurist – this is his portfolio and a collection of his best works. How to photograph clients' nails correctly to best show your professionalism and talent – we tell and show in the material.

Popular mistakes, or How not to photograph the client's nails

One nail in a large frame

Yes, such a photo can also be stylish. But from the design of one nail, it is difficult to understand how the manicure looks in general. If you publish such a picture on Instagram – let it be a gallery where you can see the entire manicure in the next photo.

Strange objects in hands

A photo of a manicure looks interesting and not staged, if you take a photo of not just hands on a white background, but something in your hands. But! It should not be the first thing that comes to hand and it is definitely not a sausage, as in the photo below. Although, we admit, it looks original.

Hand in hand

Palm in palm and hands folded one above the other – such photos look frankly boring and staged. It is better to experiment and beautifully fold the client's hands on a colored background, exposing good lighting.

Hands in cosmetic oil

A mistake that, unfortunately, is often made even by top masters - ndash; photograph a manicure after applying cosmetic oil to the hands. Yes, in the photo, the client's hands look untidy, and everything that catches the eye – greasy shine.

Bad lighting

Let's be concise: bad lighting spoils all pictures, not just photos of clients' manicures. Make sure to allocate a special place-photo zone – better near the window, with bright natural light. Then your work will be seen literally and figuratively.

Correct hand placement for a manicure photo: top 5 ideas

Elegant composition of hands

In order for the photo to look stylish and the manicure to be clearly visible, it is not necessary to lay out your hands with a fan or one on top of the other. Ask the client to pose elegantly and extend his arm gracefully, as if in a dance.

In hands: nail polish, smartphone or a cup of coffee

In order for the frame to look stylish, it is important that the objects in it harmonize with each other and are selected with taste, and not chaotically. Our favorite combination: nude or black manicure + a cup of cappuccino in the photo.

Light background + perfect lighting

Remember this formula. Light really decides a lot and makes even the simplest photo without any thought-out composition look stylish and beautiful.

Sophisticated jewelry on hands

Several rings and an elegant bracelet – a photo with a million likes is ready! Even if it has the most modest and minimalist nail design.

Touches – to the face, hair, clothes or purse

This is how manicures and beauty looks are most often photographed backstage at fashion shows. Take note!