I think you want to make sure you cover all pimples and flaws but at the same time not look too cakey. My standard face make up procedure for a big night out is usually 

Face primer -> BB Cream/Cream foundation -> Loose powder -> Blush

1. I use the HD Photo Finish Primer from NYX. It's really good and smoothens out my skin a lot but it's a white liquid and tends to make my face look really pale so I add some to my neck area as well to blend out

2. I'm using Skin79 Gold BB Cream. I love the coverage and texture but it's quite lacking in colour as well so combining this with the primer really gives me a ghostly complexion. You can try other kinds of foundation,  I think drug store ones have a lesser tendency to give you a white-out appearance compared to Asian cosmetic brands. I previously used Skin Food's Seaweed BB Cream and Maybellines Dream Matte Mousse Foundation and they were better.

3. I use Chanel Loose Powder to restore the colour to my face and also set everything because steps 1. and 2. involve pretty liquidy stuff. Powder is awesome to even out tone and give a light coverage plus absorb oil. On a day to day basis I would just use powder and skip all the other steps.

4. Blush would be really important for a photoshoot so you have a healthy glow and not a pale complexion which is what a photographic flash might do to you. 

In terms of eye make up and lips it really depends on what look you're going for. But just by working on your face you can ensure you will have a flawless canvas in which to work the rest of your make up on. Good luck!