Makeup Artist
Ana Merfu
Posts: 3
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I've been mostly just building my portfolio through free work the past few months. I've managed to score one paying gig, but in general they seem really difficult to find. I'd love to get an idea of how others find work, through which websites, advertisement, etc.  Thank you Edit: This is not at all to say I'm no longer willing to do free work for my portfolio, I'm aware that's important. I'm also a full-time fashion student and will be working on photo shoots during the winter break to update my portfolio. I just want to get information on getting paid work in the future.
Makeup Artist
LC Makeup and Styling
Posts: 90
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
I generally go on a local site that offers a jobs and business services section. I look under health and beauty and then select "wanted" to see what people out there are looking for. Given Im also a qualified beauty therapist, this is great for me and Ive got a few Bridal makeup gigs through there too.
Makeup Artist
Aaliyah Oke
Posts: 226
London, England, United Kingdom
Ana Merfu wrote:
I've been mostly just building my portfolio through free work the past few months. It's only been a few months. It takes years for MUAs to get regular >>industry
Photographer
Star
Posts: 17966
Los Angeles, California, US
Ana Merfu wrote:
I've been mostly just building my portfolio through free work the past few months. I've managed to score one paying gig, but in general they seem really difficult to find. I'd love to get an idea of how others find work, through which websites, advertisement, etc.
Thank you For the most part when you are starting out free work looks like free work. Unless you are working with commercial photographers on agency standard models you are not going to get the portfolio you need unless you are willing to shell out some money and pay someone to help you create a commercially viable book.
I see a lot of MUAs just starting out, LA has a ton of academies, and almost none of them are still around in two to three years. The ones that are either got very lucky, or they realized that to make money you have to invest money. nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Makeup Artist
TheMakeupMan
Posts: 3799
Los Angeles, California, US
My advice
Go to all the local film schools , colleges with photography depts , photography studios ect ect . And leave your card or information. And talk to as many people as possible
Today's students are tomorrows directors and photographers
And any contacts you have. Call once a month at te end of the month and let them know your doing your Calander for the Comming month and ask if they have any hold days for you , as a courtesy. Even if they don't , if something does come up you'll be fresh on their minds and they will appreciate first dibs at you
Worked for me
Hair Stylist
Angel Graves
Posts: 2358
Fort Collins, Colorado, US
This ^^
In the GTA alone there are numerous commercial photographers shooting with agency models from the US/UK/etc every day (a lot of my print book started here) and a ridiculous amount of future film professionals (a vast amount of my film experience achieved networking with these people) and once you've established those relationships... It at all starts to happen from there!
Makeup Artist
Ana Merfu
Posts: 3
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aaliyah I wrote:
It's only been a few months. It takes years for MUAs to get regular >>industry
Makeup Artist
Makeup Natalie
Posts: 175
Los Angeles, California, US
TheMakeupMan wrote:
My advice
Go to all the local film schools , colleges with photography depts , photography studios ect ect . And leave your card or information. And talk to as many people as possible
Today's students are tomorrows directors and photographers
And any contacts you have. Call once a month at te end of the month and let them know your doing your Calander for the Comming month and ask if they have any hold days for you , as a courtesy. Even if they don't , if something does come up you'll be fresh on their minds and they will appreciate first dibs at you
Worked for me +1 great advice!
Photographer
TerrysPhotocountry
Posts: 4649
Rochester, New York, US
Try to cover your cost. Then as work increases increase your rates!
Makeup Artist
Dianna Quagenti
Posts: 377
Boston, Massachusetts, US
TheMakeupMan wrote:
My advice
Go to all the local film schools , colleges with photography depts , photography studios ect ect . And leave your card or information. And talk to as many people as possible
Today's students are tomorrows directors and photographers
And any contacts you have. Call once a month at te end of the month and let them know your doing your Calander for the Comming month and ask if they have any hold days for you , as a courtesy. Even if they don't , if something does come up you'll be fresh on their minds and they will appreciate first dibs at you
Worked for me ^^^ This x 100000000 ! Also, get in touch with artists in your area, buy them lunch, offer to assist, and follow up with them regularly as well.
You'll always test to improve your book, make new connections, etc (even 10+ years in). Expect to pound the pavement for a few years before you start making any real money.
Good luck!
Model
Smile2Die4
Posts: 8
Denver, Colorado, US
Also, I've found checking in at local bridal shops (or ANY wedding vendor), media companies, photography studios, even leaving cards at your library and grocery store can help. It seems silly, but if you check in with those places once a week or so, word gets around. The merchants then know you, and tend to keep their ears open for you.
Good luck!
Makeup Artist
Diana
Posts: 2373
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ana Merfu wrote:
I've been mostly just building my portfolio through free work the past few months. I've managed to score one paying gig, but in general they seem really difficult to find. I'd love to get an idea of how others find work, through which websites, advertisement, etc.
Thank you
Edit: This is not at all to say I'm no longer willing to do free work for my portfolio, I'm aware that's important. I'm also a full-time fashion student and will be working on photo shoots during the winter break to update my portfolio. I just want to get information on getting paid work in the future. Hey Ana...
It is far too early in your career to think about charging just yet. You need to continue to build your portfolio and assist senior artists to get real on set experience - film, filters lighting & etiquette.
Some excellent advice has been given but as I am in your market, will add this:
Contact the local artist agencies and get on their radar. Let them know you're available to assist in any capacity. Don't expect to be put on an assistants list just yet though as there are many jr artists ahead of you with far more experience. The Toronto agencies are:
P1M
Plutino Group
Judy Inc
Ford
None of this is meant to be discouraging, just the hard cold truth.
Continue to 'test up' (work with the best photographers/models), be available if/when you're contacted and soon you'll be on your way to charging a decent jr. rate.
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