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Building a portfolio

It is important that you build a portfolio of professional photographs as soon as possible. Without this important portfolio it will be difficult for prospective employers to know what your capabilities are or even in which category of make-up you specialise. When building your portfolio make sure that the photography, lighting and models are of the highest studio quality.

As there are many graduate or up and coming photographers who are also building new portfolios it should be possible to find some who are willing to work with you at no cost. There are also plenty of new faces out there modelling who would be more than happy to work free of charge and receive photographs for their portfolio.

Many professional make-up artists are on the books of an agency who find them the work. Most agencies will only consider adding you to their book if you have a portfolio of Tear Sheets. This terminology refers to published work in a magazine or journal. You should also take into consideration that an agent will take up to 20% of the money you receive for finding you the work.

As it may be many months before you have a decent portfolio suitable to show an agent or client and you are not yet earning a living wage it will become necessary to supplement any income with other work. If this is the case then try and work with a fashionable make-up house selling products or even find a company that does makeovers on the public. This way you are still working in the make-up industry and may be able to pick up extra work as a make-up artist from word of mouth from people whom you meet at work.

If you take a job which has nothing to do with the industry then you have little chance of promoting yourself.
Remember it is important to network and meet the right people. Never leave home without your business card.