In the majority of initial meetings with potential clients, questions almost always come up in regards to the numerous details required for a wedding day. In many cases, we are the first to be contacted or hired and couples are in search of as many recommendations as they can find….Florists, cakes, venues, DJs, hair, make-up and so much more.
Those of us who have done this for a while have seen it all; the good the bad and the ugly so to speak and the last two parts of that are something that we wish to never see. With that said, I will be periodically posting my personal thoughts on the subjects from my perspective, behind the lens.
One of the most requested recommendations from brides is for a make-up artist. Like photographers, there are MANY of them out there and how can you really tell who is truly excellent at what they do?
My number one recommendation is always about passion. No matter who you hire for any job; can you tell immediately that they love what they do? Of course there is much more to go along with that but it is so important. A portfolio is important. It tells the truth of how long someone has been doing the job and how they work in differing situations. Time can do funny things to people though. You do want someone with experience, of course, but experience can sometimes drive the passion out of someone if they let it and this goes for any profession. Passion is highly important and a love for the job ensures that the person you hire will always strive to do their absolute best. If they enjoy their work, you will enjoy having them there! It is, sometimes, a difficult thing to determine but the difference between a sales pitch and a conversation with someone who loves what they do can be easily determined if you are paying attention.
One recommendation I always make, when it comes to make-up, is this (and I know many will disagree with me): Stick with the old school methods of artistry with brushes!
Airbrush applications are flattering, especially on younger skin. The problem is that it often doesn’t last. Your wedding day is long. You are constantly moving. You will probably work up a sweat at some point. There will most likely be tears. There is just so much going on and you need your make-up to last until your grand exit.
The problems, from my perspective, that I often see are with settling. Almost every person I have seen with a stand-alone airbrush application has some settling into fine lines at some point during the day. No matter how minimal it may be, this settling accentuates those lines and it does show up in the images that I will take (especially in those close-ups).
An experienced make-up artist is just that, an artist. What they do with their collection of brushes, primers, foundations and color can not be matched by an airbrush. It can’t, no matter what they may tell you.This might upset some make-up professionals out there but I am only speaking of what I have seen, for a long time now, from the other side of the lens and in many, many photos floating across my screen during the editing process. When an experienced make-up artist places their brush to your skin you can be almost sure that they will paint the perfect picture of you for everyone, and the camera, to see. It often takes a little longer but the time is worth every penny spent every single time.
I do, of course, have my favorites when it comes to make-up artists and am always happy to give recommendations when asked. There is much more that could be said on the topic but if you begin with the two very simple points made above, I can assure you that you will be on the right path to the perfect artist for you.
No matter who you choose; congratulations on your upcoming wedding day or whatever the event might be and remember; professional make-up shouldn’t be held for only the big event days. Any time you have a professional photo session, a professional make-up application will have you looking your absolute best for those captured moments!
Best Wishes to You All……Jason
