I am a very very anti-catty makeup artist. There is no reason for us to look at each other as competition; there is enough work for all of us. Instead, we should look at each other as colleagues. Here are a few things I had to learn the hard way that I wish a fellow artist had told me...
1. As lame as this may sound, ONLY AGENCY MODELS IN YOUR PORTFOLIO
2. Don't put off meeting with agencies because you're afraid your book isn't ready. You'll never think you're ready. Just do it and look at is as a learning experience...and you never ever know...they may just love you!!
3. Be picky when deciding to work for prints with so-so photographers. I have a stack of CDs of shoots that I can't put in my book because the pictures are bad. Either they are un-retouched, bad lighting, bad model or just plain bad. I know that when you're first starting out you never want to say no to a job because you're just happy to do a shoot. But unless you really need the practice, don't waste your time. It's a real let down getting images that you can't use when you worked your butt off on a test. Go after the photographers that YOU LOVE, trust me, they are probably still testing sometimes.
4. You are your kit...I didn't realize how sad my kit was until I moved to NYC and saw a real pro kit. I kid you not, I had Lancome gift with purchase products and sad selection. It took hundreds of dollars to get a great kit together but it is so worth it...you look like you're worth a million bucks if your kit is great. That means professional grade products, good selection, clean packages and organized layout when you set up.
5. Always sanitize your hands and your product!! I had a client today that was so germaphobic I had to use her products and brushes. If you have a boss, don't think they won't complain because they just might.
6. Always keep business cards/comp cards on you...even if you don't think you'll need it. I've gotten jobs from people I've met on the subway and from people I met on a job that was just passing by. You never know!
7. Assisting is NEVER below you. I have been doing this for 10 years and I still assist. I do it for the money, to see what other MUAs are using in their kits and to make connections. It's a great way to meet people and hopefully get work passed on to you later. It should never be degrading and don't let the key treat you like crap...that was never a part of the deal right? Assisting does not mean slave! Stand up for yourself when necessary and don't let someone take advantage. In all my jobs assisting, this has rarely happened but just keep your eyes open.
8. Never talk crap about anyone to anyone else on set. You never know who already knows someone and it's just plain un-professional. Always have a smile and look eager to help. Don't hide out by your makeup chair like a wallflower. It's sad but true, you're judged on your personality on a shoot almost more than your skills.
9. Don't wait for people to call you. Set up a shoot yourself. Call the modeling agency you like and find out who their new faces are. These are new models that also need work in their books and are usually available to do a shoot in exchange for images. Stylists, hair people and photographers too. Develop a concept, pitch it to the photographer that you think would do well and find some crew. The photographer will appreciate your help and you'll have more of a say in creative direction and hopefully end up with images that suit your needs.
10. Learn how to use Photoshop. I have had to re-size, re-touch and who knows what with images I've gotten back from photographers. They don't always retouch makeup right and for the shot to be good enough for your book, some adjustments may be in order. Always get permission from the photographer first but learn how to crop, resize images for your website and portfolio, retouch blemishes on skin etc. I'm addicted to Photoshop and love retouching...to me, it's like a new form of makeup artistry and better me fixing it than a photographer who may not understand my vision.
Friends...fellow artists...feel free to add on to this list and tell me what you think!
