There is a method to building a portfolio, don't just add "pretty" pictures that you like. First, your printed work should be 11X14," presented in a professional portfolio. Inexpensive prints as well as portfolios and anti-glare sheet protectors can be purchased through adoramapix.com.
The next step is organization. If you are looking at potential agencies, your strongest work should be in front - this DOES NOT necessarily mean your most wild look. Usually this image demonstrates flawless complexion application and the ability to create very clean and polished work. Your more creative work should be further back in your book, and always leave a conversation piece for last - it keeps the conversation moving and closes your port on a positive note.
Feather lashes, 400 bright colors, facial appliques, and rhinestones will not impress agencies. Keep in mind, agencies deal with current trends and high-fashion, and extras like that are considered cliche and amateur. Put in your tears, and keep your port diverse. Be bold in a more expressive way - twist trends and even cliches to make them current and interesting without veering off into left field.
"Creative" looks often alienate agencies that want to see a clean demonstration that shows your ability to ENHANCE the model, not cover her. They also hire based on trends, and if your most creative looks look dated, heavy, or gothic, you might have shot yourself in the foot.
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)
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!
Jemi - getting a model and photographer release is the first way to shoot your career in the foot. It is completely inappropriate for a makeup artist to make a photographer sign a release UNLESS you are paying the photographer to shoot images for you as a service. Model releases are also to be signed and given to the client or photographer, not a makeup artist or hairstylist etc. You do not need any release to display an image in your personal portfolio.
Most other instances only require an email offering permission for use - the only time you would need a release is if you were SELLING or making a direct profit from the images.
Photographers don't want to sign their work away to every team member - a release signs away their ownership to the image and allows you to go out and sell it or distribute it without permission. Obviously, 98.9% of photographers would not be comfortable with this, and any worthwhile photographer would laugh if the topic ever came up. Go to a modelmayhem photographer forum and post a question about their feelings and watch them attack like killer bees lol.
Modelmayhem is a fantastic resource for new makeup artists, but be wary of some of the advice on there as most of the advice COMES from new makeup artists. This is what made me take down my profile last year after several years of helping new artists develop their careers - too much misinformation. I LOVE that you're thinking ahead of the game, but I would hate to see that bite you in the tush!
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.
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..
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
@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.
There is a lot of hate towards modelmayhem, and I removed my profile for the same reasons you all have. Images from my magazine work and fashion week work were stolen constantly, as well as images from my upcoming instructional makeup book - and were then posted on people's profiles claiming the work as their own. When I was NEW, the site offered lots of opportunities to LEARN and network. So it was great to start out with. And actually, a large number of people I know and work with today I met on there. We used to have meet and greets and share celebrity horror stories...things were good. But we grew past it as our careers excelled - me with my brand and book, others with tours and endorsements. So while the site isn't good for me NOW, it was then - and there are some really great people on there if you dig deep!
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
@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.
Andrea- I say if you do an awesome job taking photos, do so with other models. Make sure you get before and after photos and professionally retouch them. It's always best to get professional photos from photo shoots as well though. Here's one of my photos from my first photo shoot as a photographer and MUA. African Tribal was the theme. What do you think?
Awesome. :) I love the colors and how you edited it and her tattoo! Really cool. Just for info purposes- what would you think about a photo like this in a portfolio? Too amateur looking or would it be cool for a beginner or what?? :) Also- who do you show your portfolio once you have a good one? Do you just keep it for references for job interviews or gigs? Or would it kind of be like those modelling shows where they just go all sorts of places showing it off??
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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
Jordan L.
There is a method to building a portfolio, don't just add "pretty" pictures that you like. First, your printed work should be 11X14," presented in a professional portfolio. Inexpensive prints as well as portfolios and anti-glare sheet protectors can be purchased through adoramapix.com.
The next step is organization. If you are looking at potential agencies, your strongest work should be in front - this DOES NOT necessarily mean your most wild look. Usually this image demonstrates flawless complexion application and the ability to create very clean and polished work. Your more creative work should be further back in your book, and always leave a conversation piece for last - it keeps the conversation moving and closes your port on a positive note.
Feather lashes, 400 bright colors, facial appliques, and rhinestones will not impress agencies. Keep in mind, agencies deal with current trends and high-fashion, and extras like that are considered cliche and amateur. Put in your tears, and keep your port diverse. Be bold in a more expressive way - twist trends and even cliches to make them current and interesting without veering off into left field.
"Creative" looks often alienate agencies that want to see a clean demonstration that shows your ability to ENHANCE the model, not cover her. They also hire based on trends, and if your most creative looks look dated, heavy, or gothic, you might have shot yourself in the foot.
Hope that helps;)
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 28, 2012
Jordan L.
Jemi - getting a model and photographer release is the first way to shoot your career in the foot. It is completely inappropriate for a makeup artist to make a photographer sign a release UNLESS you are paying the photographer to shoot images for you as a service. Model releases are also to be signed and given to the client or photographer, not a makeup artist or hairstylist etc. You do not need any release to display an image in your personal portfolio.
Most other instances only require an email offering permission for use - the only time you would need a release is if you were SELLING or making a direct profit from the images.
Photographers don't want to sign their work away to every team member - a release signs away their ownership to the image and allows you to go out and sell it or distribute it without permission. Obviously, 98.9% of photographers would not be comfortable with this, and any worthwhile photographer would laugh if the topic ever came up. Go to a modelmayhem photographer forum and post a question about their feelings and watch them attack like killer bees lol.
Modelmayhem is a fantastic resource for new makeup artists, but be wary of some of the advice on there as most of the advice COMES from new makeup artists. This is what made me take down my profile last year after several years of helping new artists develop their careers - too much misinformation. I LOVE that you're thinking ahead of the game, but I would hate to see that bite you in the tush!
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.
Jan 30, 2012
Kimberly M.
^Did you do the website yourself? Or did you get someone to design it?
Feb 01, 2012
Mari P.
As an aspiring MUA, this information is very helpful. Thanks!!
Feb 01, 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 01, 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 01, 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 02, 2012
Jordan L.
There is a lot of hate towards modelmayhem, and I removed my profile for the same reasons you all have. Images from my magazine work and fashion week work were stolen constantly, as well as images from my upcoming instructional makeup book - and were then posted on people's profiles claiming the work as their own. When I was NEW, the site offered lots of opportunities to LEARN and network. So it was great to start out with. And actually, a large number of people I know and work with today I met on there. We used to have meet and greets and share celebrity horror stories...things were good. But we grew past it as our careers excelled - me with my brand and book, others with tours and endorsements. So while the site isn't good for me NOW, it was then - and there are some really great people on there if you dig deep!
Feb 02, 2012
Andrea F.
What is the best way to find photographers and models, modelmayhem aside, then?
Feb 02, 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 02, 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 02, 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 02, 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 02, 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 02, 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 03, 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 03, 2012
Jemi E.
Feb 03, 2012
Andrea F.
Feb 03, 2012
Kimberly M.
Thanks everyone for the great tips!
@Megan, thanks for the info!