Skin can make or break any photo. But to get that smooth, poreless look that we're all after, makeup shouldn't be your only line of defense.

"To achieve perfect-looking skin on camera, you want to make sure your skin is as clear as possible, well exfoliated and well nourished," VanLeeuwen says. After your morning cleansing routine, he suggests reaching for a lightweight moisturizer and allowing the product to seep into the skin for about five minutes prior to makeup application. "While skin prep is important, too many skin care products and layers immediately before makeup can leave the skin slippery and oily, which causes makeup to slide around," VanLeeuwen says. "I often wait a few minutes and then remove any excess product with blotting papers before I apply foundation. This makes a huge difference in makeup application."

There are also two skin care products you should stay away from if you're going to be exposed to a camera's flash: sunscreens containing titanium dioxide, which can produce a white cast under flash photography, and illuminating face lotions (aka glotions), which can leave you looking more greasy than glowing in pictures. If you need to wear sunscreen on a day you know you'll be subject to flash photography, VanLeeuwen recommends the Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen, $65, which he says never kicks back with flash photography.

Don't even think about getting in front of the camera without wearing a primer, say the pros. Primers give the illusion of better skin and help mask enlarged pores or uneven skin tone. Hydrate your skin as you prep your makeup canvas with one of VanLeeuwen's faves, Natasha Denona Face Glow Primer Hydrating Underbase, $35, or smooth over fine lines and wrinkles with the hyaluronic acid-rich Revlon Age Defying Wrinkle Remedy Line Filler, $13.99.

For skin that has seen a little too much sun, try Korres Greek Yoghurt Smoothie Priming Moisturiser, $42, which contains skin soothing Greek yogurt. Plus, its silicone-free formula makes it gentle on sensitive skin. If large pores are the issue, blur them with one of Reneau's go-tos, Too Faced Hangover Primer, $32. "I prep every single on-camera model with that primer," Reneau says.

If there's one thing we should all avoid -- whether or not we're getting ready to say "cheese" -- it's cakey foundation. Piled-on foundation only becomes more evident in front of a lens. Reneau and VanLeeuwen both suggest skipping full-coverage foundation in general, as today's makeup innovations allow for lots of coverage in lightweight formulas.

"Women usually only need full-coverage on the center of their face or spot concealing," Reneau says. "You don't want to conceal already beautiful glowing skin." Stick with lightweight formulas, like Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation, $5.99 or Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, $44, to maintain the integrity of your skin's natural texture. And don't limit yourself to just one shade. "Using two foundations is usually key because your face isn't just one shade," Reneau says. "Using two shades can create really natural looking dimension, especially on camera."

Another surprising tip? Set your foundation before you apply any other makeup. "Before you powder your foundation, spritz on a setting spray," VanLeeuwen says. "This makes the freshness of the foundation last way longer and it allows you to use a lot less powder."

Intuitively, it doesn't make much sense to smear green or red on your face to blur out imperfections, but color correcting does just that. To cover up blemishes and redness, reach for a green concealer like Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer, $17.50, which contains salicylic acid to fight breakouts, and a green tint to help cover them up in the meantime.

For other skin tone issues, we like Make Up For Ever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette, $40, because it contains a color for every skin concern. For dark circles, or to brighten dark spots, reach for the pink concealer. If you're lucky enough not to have these problems (#unfair), try a yellow concealer to give your skin tone a more even and refreshed look.

And then there's your concealer technique. How many times have you concealed a blemish into oblivion, only to find it staring back at you in your photos? You're not alone and Reneau is here to help. "Place a dot of foundation on the blemish, and let it sit for 30 seconds," she says. "Then, press it with your finger -- don't smear it -- to create full coverage. Press some powder -- don't brush -- over the top to set it." Be sure to cover blemishes, scars or any other imperfections after you've applied foundation, so your concealer doesn't get wiped away. If you know you'll be shedding a few tears (brides, I'm looking at you) apply a setting powder to your under-eyes to keep your concealer intact.

Can you rock a high-wattage glow in your photos without looking like a strobe light? Yes, you can -- it just takes a delicate touch.

"Apply your highlight to the brow bone, top of the cheek bone, down the nose and the cupid's bow," VanLeeuwen says. "And absolutely avoid places like the forehead, sides of the nose and the chin." You can pick up the Milani Spotlight Face & Eye Strobe Palette, $13, for an angelic glow, or add the Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter, $30, to your Sephora shopping cart, for a romantic eye-catching shine. Pro tip: If you really want to work glowing skin, apply highlighter after primer and before foundation, so that the highlighter peeks through for a lit-from-within look.