In every photoshoot, there is a whole team of people behind the scenes working together for the end product. One of the most important people in any photoshoot is the makeup artist! Whether you’re photographing clothing for a boutique, or taking images for a portrait session or wedding, a makeup artist can help your images look the very best that they possibly can.
One of my favorite makeup artists to work with is Kailie! I first met Kailie when I was searching for a makeup artist to help me with my astronomy themed fashion shoot. Working with her was an amazing experience! She
– communicated with me ahead of time, to make sure she understood the plan, and the looks that I needed
– provided makeup products that she specifically chose for the model’s looks in the shoot
– showed up early, completely prepared
– created a stunning look perfect for each model, and for the theme of the shoot
– was SO nice and easy to work with
and overall made the shoot run smoothly! I couldn’t have created these gorgeous images without her!
Today I’ve asked Kailie to share some of her tips for finding a makeup artist! As well as some fun facts about her 🙂 Here is what she had to share as my guest blogger today!
Meet Kailie
Hi! I’m Kailie, a certified Makeup Artist and self taught formal hair artist. I’m so happy to be guest posting for Whitney today! I’ve been fortunate to be able to work with Whitney on fashion shoots and they are always a favorite of mine. Today I’m going to share with you a few tips for selecting a makeup artist for your upcoming event.
But first, a little bit about me. ☺
- I was born and raised (and still reside) in Utah county, my husband and I met twelve years ago in high school. He would hunt me down to try to talk to me and I’d run away from him down the halls because I was so shy back then. I’m so glad he was persistent throughout the years! We’ve been married for seven years and have a three year old son who keeps us on our toes.
- I went to makeup school for fun four years ago while battling infertility. It was supposed to be an extension of my favorite hobby to help distract me from the struggles that come with infertility. Later, my husband encouraged me to turn my hobby into a business and I’m so happy I took that leap, it has been such a fun journey!
- I love to find the affordable makeup that work just as good, if not better, than higher priced products and share them with my friends on Instagram. It’s my fun little mission to find the best, underrated beauty products!
- I also share tips and tutorials on Instagram. I try to keep them “realistic” and simple, meaning everything from the bare minimum to date night in as few steps as possible! I save the complex and extra steps for my clients on formal occasions such as dances, pictures, and weddings. I love to share both processes with my viewers!
I’ve put together some pointers when choosing a makeup artist for your event. Some things to consider when looking for an artist-
- First, research several artists. Do some digging and look at several artists’ pictures, talk about their pricing with them, compare the styles of makeup they do, etc. If you have a particular style or inspiration picture on hand, try to find an artist’s portfolio that matches your inspiration best. Then share with your artist what you like about that particular look, and what you’d like changed.
- Consider both the location of your artist and where you’ll need your makeup and hair done at. Some artists such as myself offer a package where the client can come to their studio for a certain price, or they can travel to your venue for another price. The travel fee can vary depending on the location. If cost is most important to you, try to find an artist near you so you can either go to their studio or their travel fee will be more cost effective. If finding an artist who matches your vision best is your top priority, by all means book them! Just be prepared for the possibility of paying a little more in travel fees.
- Think about the needs you have for your appointment. Do you have a large bridal party that needs services as well? Do you only have a small window of time for your appointment? Any allergies to certain products? Discuss those with your artist to make sure they have to proper products for you, the ability to bring on an assistant or second artist, etc.
- Last but not least, schedule a trial run with your artist. Yes it costs money, but nearly every client who schedules a trial will change their mind about something they thought they wanted the first appointment. A trial is a great time to discuss concerns and swatch colors without feeling rushed before your event. It can help confirm what things you liked and tweaks you’d want changed before your final appointment. As a bonus it will help your artist cut down on time for the day of your event too!
Weren’t these tips great?? She’s just the best!
Here are some fun samples of her work from shoots we’ve done together!
For my astronomy fashion shoot, she did a PERFECT job of matching the makeup look to my concept.
Here are more closeups of her gorgeous work on this shoot
I can’t say enough how well she did. She was an absolute joy to work with!
Professional makeup really makes a world of difference in a fashion and portrait session. Whether you are doing a personal branding photoshoot, are getting married, or just need some portraits to celebrate yourself, hiring a makeup artist can HUGELY benefit your session. And if you need one that you know will do a good job, I highly recommend Kailie! I just loved working with her, and know you will too.
To see more of her work, visit her instagram at @kailie.makeupartist
Thanks for reading!
