I wanted photos, but I didn't want to pay for them. Computer technology to help the master

The Village continues to talk about how people's budget works different professions. In the new issue - make-up artist. The salary of a makeup artist depends on his portfolio, the number of clients and the direction in which he works. Someone chooses beauty salons, other make-up artists work only at weddings, others conduct master classes or personal classes, work at shows, filming, television projects. The cost of nude makeup is on average 2–5 thousand rubles, and you can get an individual consultation and analysis of a cosmetic bag for 5–10 thousand. We learned from a girl who gave up her career in IT for the sake of a make-up seven years ago, how much she earns and what she spends money on.

Profession

Visagiste

Average income

100 000 rubles

Spending for the whole family

9 000 rubles

communal payments

4 000 rubles

40 000 rubles

products

15 000 rubles

entertainment

40 000 rubles

private Kindergarten, tutors and circles for children

4 000 rubles

cosmetics

12 000 rubles

gym

2 000 rubles

How to become a makeup artist

I graduated from Bauman Moscow State Technical University. After graduation, I had a good career: I worked in the distribution of computer components. Neither I nor my family considered make-up as a possible profession, but I always liked doing make-up and painting others. When I was on maternity leave, I decided to take a personal lesson with a makeup artist. I was impressed by how difficult science is, and a trip to the USA, where the industry is most developed, helped me finally decide on the choice of occupation.

My husband supported me from the very beginning. Mom and many relatives decided that I was leaving a good position to do "strange things." After all, at first you have to invest a lot, they don’t take you seriously. But my husband is a golden man. He knows what a highlighter is, and when I want to buy some million dollar jar on a trip, he says: “Of course, buy it!” Sometimes he watches RBC-TV and remarks: "Look how badly made up." Husbands of makeup artists have no choice: they begin to understand the make-up.

I have always approached everything thoroughly, that's why I chose the make-up school with long-term training and practice. The training cost 100 thousand rubles. In the process, I did well, but I had to work a lot for free. The blog helped in attracting clients: there I talked about how I study and posted my work. Then Instagram was just gaining momentum, I started an account and began to collect a portfolio.

Several times I went to study in New York. A trip there will be very useful if you want to master the coolest techniques, peep the chips and work with interesting brands of cosmetics. Even now, after seven years of work, I am constantly learning: I read, watch, go to master classes. Our profession does not allow stagnation: if you slow down, you will fall behind the locomotive.

Carier start

The first year I earned no more than 20-25 thousand rubles a month. Orders brought the announcement of my friend, who maintains a fairly popular blog. Over time, my Instagram account also became in demand. How large a percentage of the audience goes through social networks, I realized when I was in the hospital. Then I wrote that I was temporarily not working, and for some period no one called me. Of course, customer references are just as important. If you beautifully made up the bride, she will definitely tell her friend who is getting married about it.

I got to my first television projects thanks to contacts from New York. The producer liked my responsibility, and he began to invite me to next projects. Now I'm hiring makeup artists myself. I do not participate in photo shoots and commercial shoots very often, but I know make-up artists who almost always work in tandem with a photographer. There are also shows and fashion weeks, but this is more for the portfolio, and does not bring money.

After the make-up school, it is best to go to work in the corner of some good cosmetic brand - Mac, Bobbi Brown, Nars. Then immediately there is access to a huge amount of cosmetics, a consistently large flow of people. You can test different products, train on people with different looks, skin types and wishes. So the hand is stuffed in a few months. You can make up a client in the store with cool make-up, then he will ask for your contact and become the first client. Another opportunity to start a career is to write to a photographer and, if he likes it, work as a couple on set. You can also go as an assistant to an experienced makeup artist, and after a while he will begin to share orders.

Features of work

A makeup artist's day can be super busy if the shoot starts at 7am and ends at 3am. Or when at 06:00 - the first bride, at 09:30 - the second, and in the evening there are still private clients. Or prepare 20 people for a corporate party from 10:00 to 17:00, and then conduct a personal lesson.

A make-up artist is the person with whom a wedding or shooting begins. If he is late, everything else will move. You can’t be late, so I always play it safe and leave my country house in two hours.

I had a case when the show was arranged on a ship, and he sailed at nine in the morning. The day before, I was knocked down by rotavirus - I could not move away from the toilet, let alone get to the ship. I had to urgently look for one of my colleagues. This is your area of responsibility: if something happened to you, you need to find a specialist no worse, otherwise word of mouth will quickly change tone. Then my friend broke loose and went instead of me.

When I first started, I thought that working as a freelancer would allow me to do everything. But now more often it happens like this: “Oh, what a good fee”, “Oh, my favorite regular client”, “Oh, what an interesting project”. As a result, I work five days for 12-14 hours, I arrive at the end of the week and I hear: “Mom, we forgot how you look.”

Niche selection

Makeup artists can choose the direction of work for themselves: wedding makeup, TV project, commercial shooting, and so on. Some, for example, position themselves exclusively as makeup artists for brides or work mainly at offsite weddings abroad. This job is not for me: I have two small children - but a couple of times I was at outdoor weddings. Of course, they are paid better, the cost includes flights, accommodation and meals. For two days you can get at least 30 thousand rubles.

Another part of my work is personal training. I give my students basic knowledge of decorative cosmetics. The girl comes with her cosmetic bag, we sort it out: we understand what fits, what doesn’t fit, and what needs to be bought. I try to make the girl leave not only with an understanding of how to properly apply the tone, what is the base for makeup and how to paint the lips correctly. I want that when a consultant comes up to her in the store and says: “Oh, you don’t have a primer? Take it urgently,” she replied: “Calm! I have a moisturizer." I try to adapt to the students. If a client comes in with a cosmetic bag the same size as mine, then we can have time to work out arrows, smokey, red lipstick and a bunch of other things. But 80% of clients have only mascara and the wrong foundation in their cosmetic bag. It happens that makeup artists themselves are “pumped” with me - a colleague from Finland recently came.

Of course, there is competition in our field, but stories are different. For example, if I cannot come to regular customer and instead of myself I send a colleague who, in the end, likes the client more, then what's the point of being offended? Competition makes it difficult for customers to choose. Now a bunch of tools - from Facetune to a ring lamp - allow you to change the end result. Sometimes the work in the photo looks just magical, but live is different at times. But be that as it may, makeup artists should not publicly pour negativity on each other. In this sense, we need to take an example from the American community, where everyone praises the work of colleagues. With us, it is very rare for a top makeup artist to approach another and mark the work. Although I personally have many friends who are makeup artists: we help each other out, share new products, and sometimes clients.

Difficulties

Freelancing is not always a convenient schedule. This is a frankly heavy suitcase with cosmetics that you carry on yourself. It's good that I have a car, those who do not pour cosmetics into small jars so that it is not so hard. But here you need to understand that the client pays not only for the final result, but also for the surroundings. You need to paint with Tom Ford lipstick, not with a brush from a plastic container.

Sometimes makeup artists think they are artists and condescend to clients. I try to remember that I work in the service industry. At first, when you are just building up a name and a base, you can come across all sorts of people. Today, all my clients go to make-ups that they see on my social networks, and do not ask to “make an extravaganza”, which I will not do.

Experience comes with the first jambs. Often a person has unlearned, found a win-win combination, he is very confident in himself, takes out his favorite shadows - and bam, it no longer looks beautiful on a particular person. The young make-up artist is lost, he begins to urgently think about how to fix everything. An experienced makeup artist always analyzes first.

Communication with customers

You need to be able to communicate competently with the client so that he does not see frightened eyes and shaking hands. The better the makeup artist can speak, the easier it is for him to work. It is important not only to paint, but also to tell what you are doing, although if the client does not want to communicate, it is important to shut up in time.

For a bride, the best day of her life starts with me. I cannot allow her to remember how her aunt came to her with a dirty head and out of sorts. By the way, in the beauty industry everyone is judged by their clothes. You can't look like an accountant. And one more rule: all cosmetics must be perfectly clean.

There will definitely be those who do not like how they made up. It is important to remember that makeup is still a subjective thing. Let's say that it was not possible to feel the client to the end, but this is not a reason to move on to a showdown. Makeup can always be fixed - it's not a tattoo or hair coloring.

I had a funny case when I was painting a designer: she was under substances and perceived colors distortedly. Therefore, when I took golden shadows, she said: "Purple does not suit me." There were actresses with a hangover, but here everything was easier. When working with stars, it is important to remember that these are people who have little time, and during the make-up they need to do a hundred more things. Therefore, the task of the make-up artist is to contrive, but to crawl up and gently make up while the person is doing his business. Once my client fell asleep, I put a pillow under her head and finished her makeup.

Income

When I was a product manager, one of my tasks was price monitoring. If I monitored makeup prices in Moscow, I would have to work hard. There is makeup for 3 thousand, and for 20 thousand. There is Gohar Avetisyan for 40 thousand rubles. But Elena Krygina is no longer a makeup artist, she is an entrepreneur and a locomotive who has made a great contribution to the popularization of the profession.

Today the cost of my services is slightly higher than the average for Moscow. Makeup with departure costs from 5 to 7 thousand rubles, depending on the day of the week. If you need to do more styling - from 8 to 10 thousand rubles.

For a shooting day on TV, my usual rate is 15 thousand rubles. If some projects are very interesting to me, I can make a discount. A private lesson costs 10 thousand rubles. If I give a master class, then my fee varies from 15 to 25 thousand rubles, depending on the number of participants. Before, I also did eyebrows, but now I have a studio where girls work, whom I taught everything. Eyebrow shaping and coloring is a very good skill for a makeup artist. If there is no work, then you can do eyebrows and earn a normal amount in a day.

The average income of a make-up artist in Moscow is 100 thousand rubles. Wedding makeup artists can earn up to 300 thousand per month during the high season. My income is quite stable and equal to the average for the market, but sometimes I work less than I could, because I try to make time for the children.

Costs

We live in the suburbs, in a three-room apartment. For utilities we pay 9-10 thousand rubles a month. We buy food at Tvoy Dom, sometimes some delicious things at Azbuka, something at the Danilovsky market, but at the same time, there is Pyaterochka in our house, which we also go to. For a family of four, 40 thousand rubles are spent.

A private kindergarten costs 20 thousand rubles a month. A tutor in Russian, mathematics and English, as well as functional training with a trainer - about the same amount. There are also computer programming courses for an older child and equestrian sports for a younger one. Sometimes a nanny comes to us.

Entertainment is also mostly for children: some parks like KidZania, museums, excursions, although they also love movies and restaurants. I think I spend at least 15 thousand rubles on this.

We don’t have loans now, we even try to save money, but not from my salary, but from my husband’s bonuses. My salary goes to current expenses and family needs.

I don't have free time, and when I get a minute, I sleep. Now my husband sponsors most of our vacation, but there was a period when my husband was left without work and I supported the family: although I worked a lot, we had enough for everything.

I buy beauty goodies every month. I can spend a thousand, and 15 thousand - this is how it will incur.

The search for models, make-up artist, stylist is a question that worries both novice amateur photographers and pros.

All photographers and models, makeup artists and stylists would like to have a respectable portfolio. This is the only way they can show what they are capable of. WITH good portfolio increasing opportunities to get interesting jobs.

For those who are starting to shoot and have already taken pictures of all their relatives and friends many times, the question also arises, what's next. Who and where to shoot next?

Here you will be helped by the possibility of cooperation with models, make-up artists and stylists based on TFP (time-for-print) - the terms of cooperation between the model and the photographer, meaning in translation “time for printed photographs”.

The model invests time and gets free photos. The photographer does not pay for the services of the model, and the model does not pay for the services of the photographer.

For model entry level it good way gain shooting experience and get interesting photos for a portfolio, and for a photographer - an opportunity to get a model for free to realize their creative ideas.

Shooting based TFP mainly used not only by amateur photographers and entry-level models, but also by some professionals.

It is important to make sure that both parties benefit from such cooperation. Experienced professional models will not work on a TFP basis with a novice photographer, and professional photographers will only in exceptional cases work for free with an inexperienced model.

As a rule, each side bears its own costs when shooting TFP. Sometimes models ask to pay their travel expenses or make-up artists ask to reimburse the cost of the material, or many photographers demand studio payment from the model, but from our point of view, this is not correct. Either this is a commercial order and each of the parties receives a reward, or it private project and nobody pays anything. There may be options - the photographer invites the model to shoot and all the costs of renting a studio, etc., if any, he takes over, while he can voice the model that, if desired, she can pay in any share that she considers necessary or the model invites a photographer to shoot, then the costs are divided in half or a model studio, if the proposed image and shooting for the photographer are not of great interest.

In our opinion, photographers and models look stupid when they say publicly: I do not shoot on the basis of TFP. Even Tyra Banks shoots for free if Matthew Jordan Smith asks her to. Or Heidi Klum when Rankin suggests shooting.

Of course, when shooting TFP, all participants should receive a benefit that will justify the time spent. What's the point for a professional model to work with an aspiring photographer if she doesn't get new high quality photos for her portfolio. Conversely, with a novice model, even an experienced photographer will not get interesting photos for your portfolio. Exceptions, of course, prove the rule. Some photographers specifically work with beginner models, because they can be molded into what the photographer needs, their poses are not standard and not hackneyed.

What if the model would like to get an experienced photographer to shoot based on TFP?

The model can send a request to the photographer, providing all their personal details and attaching some of their photos. The model may be of interest to the photographer if she has her own specific ideas, clothes for shooting and she can bring a make-up artist with her.

Don't forget to sign a document called model release with all photoset participants. If a minor was involved in the shooting, the release must be signed by the parents.

So, where do you find a photographer, model, makeup artist, and stylist for a TFP shoot?

Here are some sites that we can advise you in Russia. First site http://www.tfpportfolio.com . You will have to register, fill out a form and upload twenty photos. You can search for models by city, send private messages to models, create public castings. Most of the models on this site are not professional, but it is quite possible to find interesting models here.

LiveJournal has a communityhttp://community.livejournal.com/iwy_model. This community reads a large number of models and there you will surely find the model that suits you. Remember to follow the community guidelines when posting an ad.

Another resource http://www.fashionbank.ru/. Here you will need to register and upload some portfolio photos. On this resource you can find excellent, including professional models.

Next site - http://tfpforum.ru . Register and create a topic on the forum.

Another site where you can find a great model - http://www.face.ru . Most of the models here are professional, but you might be able to get someone to shoot on TFP terms.

Tell us about your experience! Do you, as a photographer, have any tips for models. If you are a model, do you have any wishes for photographers? If you have experience with TFP, it would be interesting to hear your opinion and advice.

snapshot
Photographer - Nadja D.
Model - Olga K.

I would like to tell you about current DFT-shooting.
First, what is TFP? From English. Time For Print - "time for printing, photos." Initially, it was understood that "time" is the work of the model, and "photos" are the result of the work of the photographer, respectively. It had nothing to do with stylists.
Now this term has been actively applied to the work of makeup artists. In fact, this means that the photographer, model and makeup artist “agree” before shooting that their work is worth an equal amount of money. Since the amount is equal, no one gives it to anyone. The whole catch begins when "set-off" is replaced by the concept "no one owes anything to anyone" and further, along the associative chain, with the favorite word "freebie". Now I will try to talk about all the pitfalls that lie under the name TFP, to a greater extent, for makeup artists.

So let's go!
1. You may end up with a bad inexperienced photographer. As a result, your expectations do not match reality and instead beautiful photos you get those that are embarrassing to put in a portfolio.
2. You are wasting your consumables. If you get carried away with this process, then you can be left with nothing, because cosmetics tend to run out over time - this is not a self-replenishing resource, and the money spent on training, master classes, cosmetics and beautiful cases will go nowhere. This applies to those for whom make up is the only source of income.
3. "No money - no honey!" In our case, this expression can be rephrased as: "no payment - no responsibility." Each participant subconsciously allows himself to do his job "for fuck off", because no one has an incentive. This does not apply to creative projects where all participants are burning with one common idea. In addition, the model may not be warned that there will be a makeup artist, she did her own makeup and refuses to wash it off for fear that it will become worse. As a result, you drive in vain and no one compensates for it.
We also include here the delays of the project participants and the fact that the promised photos can be expected for a very long time or not at all.
4. "Unpaid nerves" - this means that you may come across capricious models (they want to get a masterpiece without paying a penny, people call it "and eat a fish and ride on a swing) and harmful photographers. As a rule, these are often found among beginners: they believe that they have already reached the level of "God" and actively use this status, poke their nose into all processes, including those that are outside their area of competence.
5. For models, there is a huge risk of getting to a novice makeup artist who, instead of doing a beautiful make-up, will turn you into a drunken clown ... or to a novice photographer who, instead of hiding flaws, will emphasize them.
6. Learn to appreciate your talent and stop being shy about taking money for your work! Remember that professionals do not work for free (except for creative projects).
7. Sounds mercantile, but! - look for benefits in any offer. if you are offered to do regular makeup and participate in a regular photo session on TFP terms, do not agree or at least charge for consumables. Oddly enough, but you can get a really good offer on TFP terms, for example, in the end you will get a publication in a magazine or meet famous photographers, designers, models.

What then is good about DFT projects? - you ask.
Firstly, DFT helps novice models, makeup artists and photographers gain experience.
Secondly, you can get really good connections and cooperate in the future.
(Perhaps that's all, if I forgot something, you can add it in the comments).

Of all the above, I will give you some helpful tips :

At TFP, always take the minimum payment for consumables, no one will get poorer, but this is a guarantee of a good result for everyone and do not hesitate to name the amount for your talent (read item 2).

Discuss all the conditions in advance: who pays for what (studio, costume rental, etc.), consider force majeure (exceeded the time spent in the studio, not enough money to pay, something broke, someone was late or not at all came).

All participants must be equally informed about how the shooting will take place, what will be the makeup, dress, etc., so as not to waste time on the spot and immediately get down to business, and not inventing poses or creative makeup. This greatly simplifies everyone's life and saves time and nerves.

All participants in the DFT shooting should respect the joint work: do not be late, do not put forward your own demands, be loyal to novice makeup artists, because you should not expect super work from a beginner, and if you want super work, then this will definitely not work. is free.

Be sure to negotiate with all participants so that they sign the makeup artist on the photo or at least under the photo, and with photographers that they throw off the portrait, and not the photo where your work is not visible at all.

Respect for each other is the key to excellent joint work, positive emotions and excellent results. Good work for all of us!

How will it look like:

Comments on the article:

Vlad Romm 31.10.2014, 02:25

As far as I understand the author's message - we are talking about the pros. Let's help. For example, I worked with first-tier makeup artists, such as Kartashev. I don't want jobs below his level. And then a 20-year-old boy makeup artist appears, who does at THIS level. Makes using the world's best brands. Knowing that my result will be many times better and will help attract a client. This is work on an equal footing, and sometimes spending 2t.r. on consumables. for the image, he gains experience in team work and replenishes the portfolio. Of course, when a paid order comes to me, I give it to the phone. Not because he owes him these tifipi, but simply because he cannot work badly. Here are such pies with kittens, such a benefit to him. And you pancake about 300 rubles?! There is a girl here - the make-up artist writes if it is possible to cooperate with you. I go to the portfolio and see a complete pipets. Some creepy friends. somehow painted. I write to her - you commercial basis want to? Yes! On commercial and only! But my friends, are there any criteria to evaluate yourself?
By the way, make-up artists, make it a rule to offer your services without proper quality content, be prepared that at least they will not answer you, but at most they will send you to hell. Sincerely, Vlad Romm.

Maria Borovskaya 29.10.2014, 21:05

Tatyana, I just wrote that if you are a super-pro, then of course everyone works on the same conditions, but lately TFP means doing ordinary makeup for a completely ordinary photographer and getting not very good results. good photo in not very good processing and not the fact that a portrait ... that's what I wanted to say with my article ...

29.10.2014, 01:21

I agree with Lelya 100%.
if super-pros are going, and you are sure of the result, then it costs more than 300 rubles. for consumables

Andrey Shtonda 28.10.2014, 16:38

Miser pays twice. Facts do not cease to exist because they are neglected.
TFP. What's this? As for me, this concept has long been devalued. For various reasons, now the definition of TFP in the understanding of many is synonymous with getting a profit "for free".
Everyone takes their first steps in something. Experience does not come from birth.
There is a widespread opinion that DFT is the path of beginners, a sort of way to train "on cats"...
But this is pseudo-economy. Look, I'll tell you about my experience...
You are an aspiring photographer looking to practice with an eye towards your future portfolio. Rent a studio for a few hours. They called a TFP model and a TFP make-up artist. The make-up artist, due to inexperience, prepares the model for shooting for a long time. The model does not know what to do in the frame and is furious that you cannot tell her what to do to make it cool. And you, due to your inexperience, cannot put the light on for two hours, formulate the model what you want from it, etc. Is there a chance to get a cool result?
You have to be honest, at least with yourself. If you want a cool result, invest in it... It's better to have one normal shoot, call an experienced model and an experienced makeup artist, honestly pay for their work, than go through several such DFT stories (I mean when everyone is of the same level, and he is not high)

Maria Borovskaya 10/23/2014, 22:29

And I also wrote about the fact that the level of participants should be the same, professionals even at TFP will not take a novice makeup artist ... you, just like a photographer, will not go to photograph an ordinary girl in a chamomile field for free, for you it’s the same as for us to make smokey ice or wind our hair; It's nice to travel to interesting projects with interesting people and it's nice to work on TFP terms when you are 100% sure that you are working with professionals and what the result will be :-)

Maria Borovskaya 10/23/2014, 22:23

Lelya, I agree with you, I am happy to work on such projects for free, and the article stated this: "7. It sounds mercantile, but! - Look for profit in any offer. If you are offered to do regular makeup on TFP terms and take part in a regular photo shoot - do not agree or at least charge for consumables. Oddly enough, but you can get a really good offer on TFP terms, for example, in the end you will get a publication in a magazine or meet famous photographers, designers, models."

People really get impudent and ask for a regular make-up at TFP, for which no one takes less than 1000! Certainly,

Lelya Martian 23.10.2014, 21:36

Maria disagrees. When really professionals gather, there can be no talk of any 300 rubles. It will even look kind of stupid. When a model is working on the set who has just arrived from fashion week in New York, it is a great success for many makeup artists to work with a truly professional model, world-class. And by the way, there can be no talk of such a model paying for the studio))
The make-up artist works on his book with tfp so that it is of high quality (!) and that looking at him, he was invited to really good big commercial shoots. Also to make connections with photographers who have a lot of commercial shoots, so that he would be called on them. This is how a make-up artist earns.

Maria Borovskaya 10/23/2014, 18:35

Lelya, I wrote about making it comfortable for everyone to work, sometimes the model also pays for the studio. In addition, I wrote that this should be agreed, and depending on the project itself. How, in your opinion, do make-up artists make money in general then, if after you say "300 rubles for consumables" you are blacklisted?))) Personally, I think that the make-up artist has nothing to do with TFP, they agree on paying the studio model and photographer - this was originally when the term DFT first appeared. And if shooting at all on the street? No one pays anything for the studio, and only "thank you" to the make-up artist ... I just write that it is necessary to respect each other's work, the make-up artist, I think, should be paid in general by the model, because in principle everyone is trying for her: both the photographer and the stylist. ..

Lelya Martian 23.10.2014, 02:01

The article is written only from the position of a make-up artist and rather for "beginners" photographers and make-up artists. The fee for "consumables" is the same if the photographer, during creative work, takes money for retouching, correcting the flaws of the same make-up artist.
Besides, in creative projects most often the photographer pays for the studio .. Which is much higher than consumables.

Ps offer me a make-up artist to pay for consumables, when I pay for a studio and shoot a model from a European agency, I will immediately put it on my personal black list.

Maria Borovskaya 10/20/2014, 15:50

Stas, this already needs to be discussed with the organizers of the shooting itself: either the photographer or the model ... because the presence of a makeup artist is beneficial to both sides of the shoot: the model in the photo will look better than without makeup, and the photographer has less to process if the makeup artist has done his job well work...

Stas Mahler 10/19/2014, 22:58

"- At TFP, always take the minimum payment for consumables, no one will get poorer, but this is a guarantee of a good result for everyone and do not hesitate to name the amount for your talent."

Please specify from whom this fee should be taken?

Today was the first day of New York Fashion Week and I'm working for Maybelline again - painting the Maybelline messengers who work in the bead in the main lobby. The work is simple, pleasant and profitable:)))
And I return to the answers to the eternal make-up questions :) This time - a question from Tatyana:

" Nastya, hello! I would like to ask you for advice. I live in Italy, now I have begun to closely develop contacts with local photographers, although everything is somehow difficult here ... I think you will understand me, since you also live abroad. Maybe my question will seem silly to you, but still)) How did you meet photographers? ..
By the way, it is very common for photographers to call a makeup artist for a paid shoot for them in order to allegedly evaluate how he works. I'm just at a loss - it's just that every first photographer does this! It's just hands down..."

Hey Tanya! How I know all these feelings! In the four and a half years that I have lived in the US, only the last year can be considered truly productive. In terms of career-work. At the same time, let me remind you that I have an additional advantage - I know the technique of body painting, unlike many of my colleagues, so I can fulfill unique orders. Therefore, today I will try to tell with examples from personal experience how to accelerate your infusion into the industry of a new country. I'll try to pick some general points that I think will work everywhere. Although there are specifics in each country, there are a lot of differences between Italy and the USA.

The points:

It will take you three to five years of constant work in a new country to build a career as a makeup artist. ( my count, no guarantees)
Most likely, your portfolio will not fit the new market and will need to be almost completely rebuilt.
You need web site, corresponding to the requirements of the new market in the relevant language + English, for example, Italian + English.
It is necessary to explore the possibilities of social Internet activity in the new country. Social networks and some events, hangouts in "real life".

And now in more detail.
A few years of constant work, not an idle stay in a new country. Of course, no one knows you. Moreover, you are a stranger, from another country. How can you be relied upon? Only if someone has already worked with you. Preferably eminent and serious. The industry also has its own etiquette, for example, you must also be able to write a letter, and it’s not a fact that they will answer it, yes. In America, it’s quite simple - there are websites and books that talk about business etiquette. There is even a career guide book for makeup artists, stylists and hairdressers! I did not buy it, because in principle, I already know everything that is written there. As for other countries, I don't know. The best recommendation is that of a person in the industry. When a photographer is looking for a new make-up artist, he does not look through the telephone directory, but through colleagues and other pros - hairdressers, stylists, etc. I am now recommended by photographers with whom I have worked, hairdressers, models. Several times I got the opportunity to work with an eminent photographer, when for some reason the planned makeup artist merged and it was necessary to urgently find a replacement - someone from the film crew suggested me. Therefore, the more people from the industry know you, the better. Even your colleagues! I often recommend one of my fellow colleagues for a job that I cannot take myself.
Portfolio. It is a mistake to assume that a portfolio is 10 photographs taken on the same day by one photographer. Portfolio is your experience, all your works worthy of attention. These are good models, first of all. Well nice photos and neat, beautiful retouching. What make-up should be in the portfolio? Pay attention to the work of makeup artists recognized in your country - go through the websites of agencies, pay attention to what is there in the portfolio of makeup artists? Cleaner, more commercial work? or creative? or a traditional make-up, like smokey eyes? Focus on this style when shooting new work. Yes, and the models are exclusively from modeling agencies. This is a mast)

To write or not to write to photographers? My answer is yes, write. In the email, you can attach several photos of the Internet resolution to show your work and indicate your site. I have another trick. I collected several of my works without retouching, mostly beauty and close-ups. I show them to the photographer when I contact him to show my level of work. I absolutely know that many photographers do not like working with new makeup artists, because they are afraid that they will ruin the shoot. I have already heard such stories - they say, at the make-up artist good work in beech, but on the shooting everything was very bad - uneven tone, crookedly oblique lips-eyeliner ... Elementary, Watson - what we see in beech and on the site - work after retouching. I heard a story about how one photographer had to retouch makeup for several months, practically "drawing" it again - after an unsuccessful acquaintance with a makeup artist! No wonder photographers are wary! And more about photographers. Everyone is interested in what you can, as they say in America, put on the table. That is, what are your ideas and do you have a team that will help make it happen. Make sure you have prepared mood boards, stories that you can implement as a makeup artist. If in the letter you attribute that you have a familiar manicurist, hairdresser, etc. - which will help to realize the whole story - this will raise your chances of success. And about the tactics of communication with the photographer. I write once - I do not like to be imposed. Many, of course, do not answer. But there are guys who attack photographers with gunnery frequency - they write e-mails, comments on social networks, constantly scatter in compliments and willingness to work. And this tactic eventually works - many of my acquaintances photographers were inferior to annoying applicants. True, as a rule, the acquaintance did not last long - such annoying people are reluctantly given a chance, if necessary, and any mistake is a guarantee that he will not be invited again :) In general, decide for yourself, the main thing is to measure your portfolio, as they say. Don't try to jump too high. Unless...you're willing to pay a photographer! Yes, this is also a very effective way - you pay the photographer for his work, getting photos for the portfolio and the image of the make-up artist who worked with the Sort Photographer (because no one knows what you paid). I would love to use a paid way to meet a photographer, but at the time when I needed it, I stupidly didn’t have that kind of money :) In the USA, this kind of shooting can cost from 750-1000 dollars (this, of course, is exclusively the photographer’s rate) .
You must have your Business Cards. It is not forbidden for a makeup artist to have a card with information on one side and a beautiful picture on the other. Ideally, it should be a graphic closeup, the more interesting the performance, the more intrigue. This picture on the back of Julie Begin's business card, I know, "catches" many:

About the agency. Of course, it is a huge illusion to hope that you, a new person in a foreign country, will interest the agency. They need pros with their own client base, that's the main interest of the agency. It makes no sense to take an unknown young, but talented person, an agent can keep you in mind for several years, watching your growth and at some point get in touch. But - not before you start earning properly) But you can get a job as an assistant in the agency and work with the makeup artists represented, getting little money - but it's very interesting! Assistance is best school for the makeup artist. If I lived in Italy, I would ask for Linda Cantello as an assistant :)
In America, this is how: each agency has a book of drop-off hours: at this time, any professional can bring his portfolio and leave it at the agency for review. A note that you are an applicant for a job as an assistant to makeup artists can be left in a note on the first page.
Be socially active- go to parties, parties, especially events organized by cosmetics brands - MAC does this, for example. Well, do not forget the Internet - create a Facebook page that will be dedicated to your work, comment on your friends and colleagues. Find. what other resources are available - there are social networks for beauty industry workers. There used to be such a popular Model Mayhem site, but at some point I stopped even going to it - there are too many low-level models, makeup artists, etc., real pros are lost. There are other social networks that are popular in different regions. I heard a lot of stories about a fashion bank, such social network for stylists. Usually everyone complains that all spam comes through it and Wonnabiz models are asking for a shoot. So I can tell you that in American networks everything is the same! But sometimes - something works.

If you live in Europe, don't limit yourself to one country - you can and should go to all European fashion weeks, work in London and Paris, even if you live in Milan. It's not easy, but the way is the same, through agencies. Write to agencies that represent famous makeup artists in Paris and London - at some point it will work!

And further. Let's just put aside any illusions. Do you think everything is perfect, rosy and just developed in New York? As soon as I arrived, clients and magazines came running to me asking me to work for them? How many free shoots have I done and still do? Dozens. And not all the results I can use on the site and portfolio, unfortunately. There are clients who still have not paid off with me and will not pay off - I was simply used, due to my inexperience. How often I had to carry heavy suitcases on the subway and through slushy streets, because I had to earn these fucking 200 dollars, and there was no way to spend money on a taxi. Now I can brag interesting projects and magazines and earn good money from my work. However, all this was not as easy as it might seem to the readers of my livejournal :) Let's be realistic - a career requires hard work, even in home country! I can only wish a lot of strength and patience to my colleagues who have moved. Just like myself :)

Success means doing everything! What does a make-up artist need to do in order to achieve fame, recognition, wealth? How to become a sought-after make-up artist, to whom it is difficult to sign up even in two or three months? Secrets of development in the beauty industry. Read on for 20 practical tips!

The profession of a makeup artist is able to provide earnings no less than that of show business stars.
VIP clients, prestigious make-up courses, master classes, fashion shows, exhibitions…

How to become a famous, successful, rich makeup artist?

1. Study, study and study again. You need to master the basic techniques of salon makeup at a professional level - this knowledge and skills can provide stable income make-up artist at weddings, graduations, birthdays, photo shoots. When you want to go beyond the narrow limits of salon makeup, when there is a need to create more complex, interesting, creative works, you need to go training 1-2 best make-up artists in your city (country). If you choose the right make-up courses for professional development, then you will have the opportunity to create complex conceptual works that can attract famous photographers, magazine publishers, famous fashion designers.

Need to develop in professionally, regularly visit interesting make-up master classes. Even if it seems to you that you are already fluent in all the declared techniques that will be demonstrated at the MC, there may be useful “tricks”, secrets, personal discoveries of the make-up artist-speaker, with which you can replenish your knowledge box. Be sure to go to MK with clean makeup templates and colored pencils to record the stages of creating each makeup, write down important moments, “insights”, ideas, valuable grains of knowledge.

Makeup artist Olga Osadchieva, Kharkiv. Advanced training at MK on complex make-up schemes in pencil technique with Taisiya Vasilyeva.

2. Lots, lots, lots of practice. If you do not yet have a large client base that allows you to do at least 3 commercial make-ups per week, invite beautiful models and practice on them, fill your hand, polish your professional skills, work out new ideas, makeup sketches. Why is it best to practice on outside models, and not on sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers? Because, firstly, invited models can become your clients in the future, because they actually recognize the hand of the master and, if necessary, will use your services. Secondly, beautiful models are the pearls of a professional makeup artist portfolio! Be sure to take pictures or invite photographers to capture your work! To search for models, create an album “Makeup Models” on your page or VKontakte group and announce it from time to time so that interested girls add their photos there.

Makeup artist Olga Osadchieva. The photo shows model Sofia Martsenyuk, who uploaded the photo to the album " looking for models” and was invited to shoot with fashion photographer Svetlana Mikulina.

3. Do not save on cosmetics and brushes, especially at the beginning of a professional journey. It is better to save up and acquire the necessary minimum of high-quality cosmetics and branded brushes than to buy a lot of cheap palettes, mascara that curls up and crumbles, an inexpensive selection of brushes that do not hold their shape and create dirt on the face, dubious tonaks "You won't name). Remember that professional cosmetics is the image of a makeup artist, it is a good reputation, it is, after all, peace and a clear conscience, that the makeup done will last until the end of the banquet and longer: if the client sleeps with makeup, then even on the second day it will look the same cool! Cosmetics and the case you come with, the brushes and the case that holds the brushes, even your appearance, cleanliness and neatness of your clothes are very significant in shaping the impression with the client.

Paradise for a make-up artist - a lot of professional cosmetics, Atelier palettes, a free choice of colors, shades, different textures and products.

4. Take part in competitions and exhibitions for make-up artists. Believe in yourself, take risks and win. Each competition is a small step towards success and popularity, an incentive to become better, an opportunity to show oneself, to look at others. In preparation competitive work a professional make-up artist is very important, who helps to create an impeccable image, guides, prompts, helps to correct mistakes, promotes professional growth. Participation in competitions is always a big financial outlay, training, preparing an image, purchasing additional cosmetics, brushes, decorative elements, accessories, outfits, etc. The game is worth the candle if, in addition to awards and diplomas, you bring new knowledge, experience, useful contacts and a high-quality portfolio from the competitive arena. Take the trouble to invite a photographer who will shoot the backstage of preparing your competitive image, and then conduct an individual photo session for your model.

Use the development algorithm below, activate the mechanisms of wealth, success, financial well-being.

5. How to become a rich makeup artist? Need to practice financial planning, control your budget, clearly record income from makeup and expenses for cosmetics. After you have invested in your profession, have been trained, bought cosmetics and brushes necessary for work, follow the algorithm of wealth and development: spend 10% of your total income on advertising, no more than 30% on purchasing materials, on professional growth(competitions, advanced training, master classes) 20% of the total income. The rest of the income is for living.

Helpful tips: do not buy extra cosmetics that are rarely needed at work. Do not take more money to cosmetics stores than you need to buy everything you need on the list. It's hard to resist buying something new and cool that you could do without. You need to experiment with the cosmetics that are already available, especially in creating creative images - use lipstick, eyeliners, mascara for other purposes (for example, when creating a creative image, you can paint a few curls or part of your face with bold bright lipstick or do it with using mascara "shaggy" fashion eyebrows).

An example of art makeup, in which cosmetics are used for other purposes: lipstick on the hair, glitter on the highlights of the cheekbones. Make-up of a student in the class ‘ ‘.

6. Chat, make friends, collaborate with other makeup artists, hairdressers and photographers. Exchange of orders, assistance in force majeure situations, joint planning of a busy work schedule ... most importantly, do not forget to thank partners who "share" orders with you. Maintaining friendly relations with the leading make-up artists of your city, you will be able to pick up new trends, techniques, make-up technologies, share ideas, ask directly “what is it made of?”, “where did you buy it?”, “how to find this model?”…

7. Settle for interesting non-commercial projects, especially if you are promised high-quality photos for a portfolio or publication in magazines, promoted blogs. The world is small, everything happens for a reason, useful connections are always needed. However, be vigilant when working as a TFP makeup artist for photo shoots. Before agreeing, carefully read the photographer's work, style, color reproduction, ability (or inability) to shoot high-quality portraits. Discuss in advance with the photographer how many processed photos and in what terms you will calculate how to in social networks photos will be signed (for example, Make-up artist: First name Last name Link to the group), whether your logo will be indicated on the photo. Don't let yourself be used like a freebie labor force, refuse projects where all participants (organizers, photographers) have their own commercial benefit, and they want to leave you without a fee. Respect your work, time and expensive materials of a professional makeup artist.

Fantasy make-up "Pomegranate" with large decorative forms.
Makeup artist Olga Osadchieva
Photographer Alexey Osadchiev

8. Portfolio - the face of a makeup artist. Sort yours wisely best work by albums, write descriptions. If you are a beginner make-up artist, then the photos that will make up your first professional portfolio- these are educational works performed at make-up courses or individual lessons with a stylist-make-up artist. The most prestigious makeup courses provide a basic portfolio service academic work, inviting at the end of each practical session professional photographer.

Update and expand your portfolio. Be the strict judge of what you are about to publish. Instead of posting a series of similar photos of dubious quality for your subscribers to see, choose 1-2 the best photos and send them to professional processing magazine level retoucher. Add to your portfolio only quality work done on attractive, watchable models that are liked and admired. Believe me, no one is interested in what a beautiful make-up you did for Baba Klava, but everyone will appreciate your masterpiece, made on the first beauty of the city, even if it was a non-commercial TFP make-up, for which you did not receive a penny. On social networks, be sure to tag models in your photos so that their friends can see your work in their news feeds. Ask models to repost from your group.

Makeup M&M's or Vanilla chickenpox, work from the course ‘ ’
Idea, sketch: Olga Osadchieva, student: Irina Buryakovskaya
Photographer: Alexey Osadchiev
Jewelry: Yana Rys
Retouching: Oksana Gordienko
Model: Anastasia Shportyak

9. Start e-book reviews. Ask clients to “drop a few words” about you as a master, impressions about the makeup that you did. Place screenshots of correspondence in which customers and partners thank you in the guest book. Feedback from clients is the consolidation of opinions about your work at the verbal level, the establishment of trusting relationships with future clients!

10. Do not forget to congratulate clients, partners, subscribers on their birthday, New Year, March 8th. Congratulations to the brides on the anniversaries of their family life. Without spam, unobtrusively remind about yourself, then people will more often need your services as a stylist-make-up artist.

Working as a make-up artist at a wedding is good because your services may be needed for anniversaries of family life, for pregnancy photo shoots, discharge from the hospital ...

11. Start teaching. If you are making progress in your work as a make-up artist, then you have probably already accumulated enough knowledge and skills, secrets and “tricks” that you could teach to those who are interested and need it right now! Drawing up an author's course and teaching makeup techniques is an important step in your career development. You should not wait for a favorable moment when the economic situation in the country improves, when you win all possible titles, medals, diplomas at make-up competitions, when there will be funds to open your own luxury make-up studio with euro renovation in the city center. Perhaps when all this happens, your courses will no longer be relevant, because thousands of other more daring and confident makeup artists will outrun you.

Conduct an experiment - doing commercial makeup before a photo shoot, wedding, graduation, any other holiday, tell the client, among other things, that you have a very interesting course "Makeup for yourself", where you could teach her how to use cosmetics correctly, quickly and beautifully perform day and evening make-up on your own. If she likes your services as a make-up artist, then you can be sure that soon she will want to take your “Visage for herself” training - the main thing is to convey the information that there is such a service that it is not difficult to organize, if there is a desire!

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