Portfolios!

Jan 24, 2012

Andrea F.

Makeup Artists & Industry Insiders! I'd really like to know about portfolios. Examples of photos you put in them, tips, secrets, any info! 

Jan 25, 2012

Zoe C.

Feather lashes, 400 bright colors, facial appliques, and rhinestones will not impress agencies

That really surprised me, thanks for the tip :)

Jan 26, 2012

Andrea F.

Thanks for all of the info, Jordan! Awesome!

Jan 26, 2012

Maria O.

Most MUAs, (myself included) start off by trying to show case our most creative and dramatic makeup thinking that this will manifest our artistic abilities. Agencies, clients and photogs along with other industry professionals respect and book those with clean beauty in their portfolios. It is not as easy as it seems to make someone look naturally beautiful and flawless. Try to make sure to work with agency models and photographers whose work will best benefit you and display your makeup work in a tasteful manner. Tear sheets are always a plus in any port, especially from print magazines. Ethnic diversity in your book is wonderful to show that you can work with women and men of all skin tones, colors and ethnic backrounds. Precision in lips and supple skin are great things to keep in mind. 80)

Jan 28, 2012

Jemi E.

I am starting out as a MUA and what I usually do is team up with models/photographers just starting out. There's a great website called modelmayhem.com which is free to start a profile. You can look for casting calls,etc... for your town/city and look for other people in the same position as you.

My word of advice is take before and after photos and make sure you get a photo release form from the model signed. Also get a photo agreement from the photographer as well signed. Try to get as many projects going that you can get your hands on, it's the best start up.

Keep a small 4"x6" portfolio booklet for your purse wherever you go to show at any moment your work. Also have photos on your smart phone. Sometimes at events what I will do is have my business card out on display with my laptop on slideshow of my work so that anyone passing by can see my work and get my information even if I am busy with a model. Hope that works!

Jan 30, 2012

Megan O.

The best thing I've done so far is build a website to display my work. This was a recommendation of pro MUA Jennifer James. ModelMayhem is a great way to find people to work with, but it's way more professional to have a site (that's after you have a good collection of photos). I've been more focused on doing clean, natural looks. Versus the crazy eye makeup etc and it really has made a difference in the clients I get. Wish I would've known that earlier but better late than never. My next goal is to get my portfolio in actual print form. Maybe at the end of February.

Feb 1, 2012

Mari P.

As an aspiring MUA, this information is very helpful. Thanks!!

Feb 1, 2012

Lauren C.

regarding modelmayhem...that site has spiraled out of control and I highly advise against joining. The problem is anyone with a camera can join and every thinks theyre a "model" and everyone thinks they're a "photographer" and it sets you up for crappy to mediocre photos at best. I wasted YEARS trying to build my portfolio through model mayhem and in the end, I can't use the images because they suck -- not because the makeup sucked (it didnt). Don't waste your time, gas, and products. Hire someone instead.

Regarding portfolios. There's a nice site that makes nice quality portfolios called houseofportfolios.com. Creative, artsy colorful looks -- your paying clients don't want to see those. They want to see you doing natural looks and no-makeup looks. It REALLY takes talent to do those right. Anyone can do a colorful eye...who cares..how about flawless foundation? Keep your best images toward the front of the book because frankly, whoever's looking at it most likely won't flip through all the way til the end. Also, the eye gravitates toward the right-side of a book, so keep your better images on the right hand side. I hope that makes sense..

Feb 1, 2012

Andrea S.

I completely agree with Lauren C! I haven't got a modelmayhem account but from what I've seen there really are a lot of girls with a few professional pictures calling themselves "models", and "make-up artists" with about 5 photos from the same shoot and blatantly over-photoshopped.

I made the mistake of including a lot of gothic, glamorous looks in my first portfolio and found myself getting nowhere. I just assumed that clients would want to see the most extreme stuff I could do. Since swapping most of these photos in favour of more clean-looking, tidy looks I've gotten a lot more work and am taken more seriously. It shows you can do a range of stuff.
It really is all about whether you can enhance a model's natural beauty or not since that is what "the mainstream" and majority of paying clients look for. A portfolio full of dramatic smokey eyes and unusual lip colours and decked in glitter could give the client the impression that you're trying to distract them from a less-than-perfect base or smudgy, uneven lipliner. That's most of my portfolio knowledge so far haha

Feb 1, 2012

Megan O.

@Kimberly M. I did it myself which is shocking because I suck at everything technology related lol After my year is up with the hosting site I might switch but for now I'm on wix.com and it's $5 a month. I feel like it's more professional than sending people to modelmayhem.

Also, I agree MM is just a site full of aspiring people. You have to choose who you want to work with and look for people who will contribute amazing things to your portfolio.

Feb 2, 2012

Andrea F.

What is the best way to find photographers and models, modelmayhem aside, then?

Feb 2, 2012

Shelby T.

Do you have an Art Institute or something of the sort near you? Some of those schools (at least Mine) has a list you can Put your Name on and students can contact you when they need an MUA for Projects. I also got one of my first jobs for a Fashion show through Craigslist but PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF CRAIGSLIST, theres some creepers on there. 

Feb 2, 2012

Lauren C.

andrea, google :) If you have no one already in the industry you can ask, then seriously just google your butt off til you find someone in your area who does amazing work. I recently relocated to a different state and I've been doing that a lot. A lot of times, a well established photographer will have great models that he has worked with and can call on them again. If you're hiring this photographer, you can hire him to provide the models as well so you're not left up to it. 

Feb 2, 2012

Jemi E.

@JordanL- in regarding the photographer agreement, its not to have full-rights to their photos. Starting out I have had photographer use my service for free and I never got any of the photos. A contract is to safe guard yourself for legality purposes. Their photos are on my websites, facebook pages, profileson sites like these and alike. There's too many people out there that won't take you seriously unless you know your rights as a business professional. Second, I am a photographer as well as an MUA so I know both sides.
As to model mayhem, I have gotten work, models, expand my portfolio to great heights because of that website. I guess I have been blessed with nice, professional people that have given newbies a chance. There's a reason you look at portfolios. Find someone you can jive with. Everyone starts somewhere and if you loose respect for those that need to learn from expertise you shoot down any chances to expand yourself and another. We are here to learn and grow from eachother whether we are MUAs, bloggers, youtubers, makeup addicts, and those that just wanted to learn. I'm not going to brag about what my credentials are or whether or not to say this photographer sucks or not. I say that no matter why we are on this site, give credit where credit is due and encourage those that want to learn. 

Feb 2, 2012

Jemi E.

Oh and another thing, be aware of pervvy photographers on modelmayhem. I've gotten work from colleges, artists, music directors and so forth from intrducing myself at business networking events, art events, and social events. Meetup.com is a cool place to find networking events.

Feb 2, 2012

Lauren C.

jemi, there's a difference between a contract and a model release.

a model release is in itself a very specific type of contract saying that the model consents to you using the photos that she's in. Not to be confused with a general contract.

you can make a contract up between you and the photographer stating how many images you want, what time frame, etc. But it's totally different than a model release.

I don't think anyone here is putting down or discrediting the newbies.

Feb 2, 2012

Jemi E.

@Lauren, yeah I know the difference... got contracts and agreement forms plus photo release forms. Some were saying about photos they can never use and such. But all in all, I think all of us have strengths and weaknesses and it's great to know there's so much info on this website that's useful. I'm still learning.

Feb 3, 2012

Andrea F.

When first starting a portfolio- are good quality self-taken digital camera photos acceptable? Or should they definitely be from shoots? 

Feb 4, 2012

Jemi E.

Hey Jordan, yeah I agree with you. Clarifying things like that especially with newbies is VERY important. I didn't really plan on making any money from these photos from photographers, another reason why I do my own photography now. Best thing is I never have to worry about that third party. I just use the photos from other photographers as work I've already done. Unfortunetly I'm not at your level yet Jordan but I definetly aspire to. Any advice you give me is taken to heart. PS I didn't think you were attacking me. It's a learning experience for everyone.

Feb 4, 2012

Jemi E.

@Andrea, I wouldn't use a photo like that for a portfolio. It's cool for beautylish purposes but for perspective clients and gigs, you want to come across like you've been doing this for a while. Trying visiting some makeup artists websites and check out what kind of photos they have. It's best to have a natural look, something for wedding, and maybe editoral. Do your research and go from there. You'll make better decisions,

Feb 7, 2012

Andrea F.

How about everybody post their favorite picture from their portfolio? :) Or is it a confidential thing? Would it be not wise to go around posting your pictures because of fraud or does it not matter?

Feb 10, 2012

Renae L.

Has anyone tried perfectpose.com for starting a portfolio?