Your portfolio is probably the most important part of your armory as a bridal makeup artist. It will be the deciding factor for a bride whether she chooses to initially email you or not. When you are first starting out this can be a hard thing to get off the ground. You have to start somewhere!
When I started out, I organized a mini photo shoot with a local photographer who wanted to do a ‘test’ for his portfolio, I asked my cousin who was keen to get into modeling if she would mind posing as a bride which she was more than happy to do, everyone was a winner! I borrowed a dress from one of my married friends and off we went!
Alternatively, every time you make up a friend, family member, or client, make sure you take a good, high-resolution close-up photograph of the before-after finished makeup look. Future brides always like to see the transformation of previous clients (even if it is your mum or sister). You may also be able to obtain a copy of the professional photographer's image if your client was a bride.
Another option for building your bridal makeup artist portfolio is to assist other makeup artists. Many bridal makeup artists need help with large wedding parties. It is a fantastic chance for the newly qualified bridal makeup artist to learn the skills required in coping with the special demands of a nervous bride or emotional mum. To show what you can do, as well as having professional photos at the end of it. Please do bear in mind though, the work would need to be entirely your own. It would not be good practice to put the other makeup artists' work as your own. Explain you are trying to start your portfolio and would she mind if you worked on one of the bridesmaids yourself so you can get a nice photo to use on your website.
It is extremely important to note that if you do assist another artist, and post work from the day on your social media, you must always credit them. They were the ones that got you the job in the first place and you are more likely to be asked again if you follow good practice.
Initially, these photos can be gathered in a gallery on a Facebook page or on an Instagram profile. These platforms are hugely popular and an absolute must for bridal makeup artists today. Especially when you are starting out, even if some people still prefer to look at a book.
Eventually, you will need to have your portfolio accessible on a professional website. The website will be your showcase and the focal point for your work and your bridal makeup artist business.
As a bridal makeup artist, it's crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and techniques. But in today's digital age, it's equally important to protect yourself from hackers and cyber threats. Having recently suffered from an attack ourselves and been locked out of all accounts, we can speak from experience! As a small […]
Can you give us a brief overview of your background/qualifications and what attracted you to the beauty industry? I started off in the industry as a commercial model and I always felt so much more confident when my makeup had been done that I often thought how nice it would be to do the same […]
Bridal makeup tips for makeup artists
1. Practice. Practice. And then practice some more. Practice makes perfect no matter which industry you are in and makeup is no exception. If you want to hone your craft, here are some great bridal makeup tips for makeup artists. To be in high demand as a reliable and talented artist, you really can’t practice […]
Health and safety for makeup artists
When starting up your new business as a makeup artist, the most important aspect is to be aware of the health and safety requirements concerning both you and your client. Health and safety for makeup artists and clients come first at all times. Cross Contamination This is the most important aspect of your work as […]
How do I start my bridal makeup business?
Starting up your own bridal makeup business can seem daunting but it is actually quite straightforward. Just remember being your own boss and working for yourself is fantastic. Owning your business allows you more freedom than a conventional 9-5. You can work as hard or as little as you feel. Set your own hours and […]
Checking out the market for a bridal makeup artist
Bridal makeup artist competition research Before you set up a business as a bridal makeup artist, make sure there is a market for your services. Carefully check out the competition in your area. This can be done by searching the internet to find other makeup artists in your region (and outside), in particular those specializing […]
