Working as a Hair and Makeup Stylist on a Fashion Shoot

A life of photo shoots, models and celebrities awaits you in the high fashion makeup and hair field! It’s a hard industry to break into, but with a little inside help, you’ll be well on your way!

Job Duties for Photo Fashion Shots

As a high fashion makeup and hair stylist, you'll adapt to any situation for photo shoots. Stylists may have to work at various locations including outdoor, studio or even motel shoots. Typical duties include:
  • Booking appointments: Most high fashion makeup stylists work with agencies that secure bookings. In your early career, you’ll have to find your own photo shoots.
  • Discussing photo shoots: After you have been booked for photo fashion shots, you'll discuss the fashion shoot on the phone, via email or in person with the client. You'll discuss the theme of the fashion shoot and how many different high fashion makeup looks you'll need.
  • Prepping model: After arriving at the photo shoot, you'll prep the model for high fashion makeup and hair by cleansing and moisturizing the skin.
  • Styling model: After prep work, you'll style the different hair and makeup looks for the fashion shoot.

High Fashion Makeup Salary

High fashion makeup and hair artists earn more money with more experience and fashion shoot clients. Your income will depend on types of photo shoots, and whether or not you have an agent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay for makeup artists in 2008 was $12.63. This may increase greatly when providing high fashion makeup and hair services for high profile clients.
 
Photo shoots for advertising campaigns usually pay higher than editorial photo shoots, although this type of fashion shoot can help build your portfolio.
 
Opportunities in this field are expected to increase by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, with most jobs in fashion centers such as New York City, NY and Los Angeles, CA.

Training for Fashion Shoot Work

You'll want to attend cosmetology school to get the training you’ll need for photo fashion shots. Full-time cosmetology programs can last as little as nine months. While enrolled, inquire about classes specifically on high fashion makeup and hair or styling for a fashion shoot.

Fashion Shoot Career Advancement

Your career as a high fashion makeup and hair stylist will depend on your specialty. Some artists choose to concentrate on just editorial or advertising work. Most find it wise to get an agent and work on all types of photo shoots.
 
To get your foot in the industry, start out as an assistant in high fashion makeup and hair. Call local agencies in your area and ask if their stylists need assistance for photo fashion shots. Team up with emerging photographers and fashion stylists to produce free shoots to beef up your portfolio.

High Fashion Hair and Makeup Groups

For more information on how to provide high fashion makeup and hair services on the sets of photo shoots, consider contacting these professional organizations:
  • Ford Models
  • Makeup Artist Magazine
  • National Association of Screen Makeup Artists and Hairdressers.
 
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