Kris Krieg wrote:
When working with a photographer, you might ask if he/she would compose a photo that emphasizes the make-up. You might also ask if the photographer would prefer not to retouch that particular photo for you, then maybe you could have a retoucher work on that specific shot at your expense. This would allow you to get more beauty shots in your portfolio that would allow the make-up to be the emphasis. Not sure if a photog would be open to this or not, but I would consider it if an MUA asked.
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-Kris

thanks for your input. I will definitely reconsider this in my next few projects

Brittany Wand HMUA wrote:
...I would like critique from the standpoint of a photog looking to hire a HMUA for an editorial shoot...

Brittany forgive me for using my MUA profile to reply... rest assured I'm a published photographer with considerable commercial tenure, albeit my primary revenue stream is from bridal makeup artistry.

That said, I would not likely hire a HMUA for an editorial session... Editorial by it's very nature has no client in the mix... When I hire team members their recompense is a pass through expense born by the client... No client, no revenue, end of subject.  Believe you would benefit from getting your head around the brutal fact that at the commercial level of our industry editorials are nearly always creative test in which each team member contributes pro bono their expertise to the image equation...  if you are looking for editorials in your book, then you will likely have to consider creative testing...

For non commercial work with the likes of Mayhem hobbyist you are most likely going to be "hired" for glamour... which we both realize is virtually worthless for agency level talent's book...

Also realize you are now competing with all the other graduates of the Aveda Institute of Austin who have likely saturated your market... Austin and/or San Antonio aren't even minor fashion markets only Dallas has much to offer in that genre... Your chance of breaking into our industry at the commercial level involves relocation to a major market area... NYC, Chicago, and LA... Columbus OH is now home to Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, DSW and L.  Considering the cost of living, Columbus would be my first choice if just starting out in as they are now host to the Columbus College of Art and Design. With such a fertile field of Fashion Designers Columbus is prime to become a serious player in the mix.   

And Mayhem? The Lion's share of the few rare commercial fashion shooters on Mayhem are pretty all located in major markets... It's a matter of economics... You simply have to go where the fashion clients are (read follow the money here).

btw, my most important commercial client is an NYC advertising agency who now books me for many of their Washington DC sessions (primarily video).  Still photography is a vanishing breed... the future for you is in video...

As how to thrive in your current market... One thought...
A strong Commercial Web Portal without which you will not likely be taken seriously...

Hope this helps...
All the best...