Makeup Artists ..

In the fashion and beauty industry your make up artist is a key to creating great images. Sadly, fashion is not all about shooting images for Vogue or Elle. Catalogue work, often for lower end brands, is the “coal face” of the industry. Budgets are tight and often the client may provide their own MUA who is an unknown entity.

Always bear in mind that the final image results will always be a direct reflection of your ability in the clients mind at any rate. Attempts to blame abysmal images on the lack of a competent creative team, will fall on deaf ears after the event has occurred. So best be in a position that you can take an inexperienced MUA under your wing for the day and get the best possible result.

If I am at all in doubt about the MUA’s experience I will always mention even in a humorous way that it is much easier to edit imperfections and warm up flesh tones in post-production than attempting to fix flesh tone and colour with excessive makeup. It follows that If your MUA is not trying to match the colour of foundation to the natural colour of the models skin in neck/chest area you may want to heed this as a warning that you may be working with an artist who may be more at home with makeup for weddings and such social events than he/she is with a photographic shoot.

My approach, is to spend a few minutes chatting to the MUA before she gets to work.  I help her set up in the make up area and by doing this get a first hand peak at what kit she has with her. The range and quality of brushes and how well worn they are. The products she is using gives me a heads up on who I am dealing with. In the general chit chat about what looks we want to achieve for the day I’ll name drop and see if they have heard of photographers Steven Meisel or Craig Mc Dean or has any interest in high end fashion and make up. If this is positive I go deeper and ask what they think of the work of Pat McGrath (mua who Meisel prefers to work with) Stephane Marias and Francois Nars?  We may then natter about latest products from MAC and Bobbi Brown and "has she used the uber kewl new illuminating powder from Guerlain?"

Sure, I sometimes ruffle feathers but in general by understanding that the photographer is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their craft,  the MUA will be happy to accept guidance if she/he needs it  -  or at least take your opinion seriously if he/she doesn’t.