A system and method are described for performing motion capture on a subject. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: mixing phosphorescent makeup with a makeup base; applying the mixture of phosphorescent makeup and makeup base to surface regions of a motion capture subject; strobing a light source on and off, the light source charging phosphor within the phosphorescent makeup when on; and strobing the shutters of a first plurality of cameras synchronously with the strobing of the light source to capture images of the phosphorescent makeup, wherein the shutters are open when the light source is off and the shutters are closed when the light source is on.