'I decided to revolutionise school photography'

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I decided to revolutionise school photography

Yasmin Hussain, managing director of The Lipstick Makeup Institute and YH Studios, on giving school kids makeovers and the feeling she gets when she buys a brand new camera

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Published: Fri 19 Apr 2019, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 26 Apr 2019, 11:39 AM

Describe your work in a sentence.
My work is my life; it's enjoyable, creative and exciting.
The biggest learning point or experience in your life.
Moving to Dubai. It has changed my life!
What is your favourite thing about your job?
I make people smile. I love the reaction from my clients when they see themselves after my shoots. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you have contributed to someone's happiness.
I also love the wide appeal that photography has - especially now that everyone is developing an interest in smartphones and apps for technology. It's why I decided to revolutionise the way school photography is done.
I came up with the idea to make kids look cool on their otherwise normal, "traditional" school photographs. My makeup team are doing the hair and makeup for all the cutie- pies in Lycée French School in Dubai. It's just light blush, lipgloss and highlighter for the girls. For the boys, it's hair gel, wax and Vaseline on their lips. It just smartens up their appearance, I think.
The kids just love it. We have turned normal school photography into a makeover and a fashion shoot - something that has not been done before in the region. It's something that I hope will be in trend now and will be adapted by all the other schools here in Dubai.
What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
Be brave, don't hesitate and work harder earlier!
The number one item on your wish list.
A light blue, convertible Bentley.
If you could move to any place in the world, what place would that be?
To be honest, I am already in my dream place and so, I have no thoughts about moving! Dubai is my dream destination.

Favourite fictional character of all time - and why.
I just love ET in the movie of the same name. He's so cute and a total family guy too.
The best thing you've ever bought yourself and why?
It's got to be a camera, of course! I always get the same feeling when I buy a new one.
A superpower you wish you had?
I wish I had the power to duplicate myself so that I could do the all the jobs I need to do, be in all the places I need to be and monitor all the things that I need to monitor as life is very busy!
If you were head of your country, what is the first thing you would do?
I would have to find a way to create a more stable and secure environment in this volatile world. Peace and stability is the only way for us all to live.
- Staff reporter


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