xElizabethx wrote:
You should charge by the look, thats the most effective way to charge.

You could do $30/per model, per look for something natural
and $50/per model, per look for more intense looks using lashes.

Or if you don't have a portfolio built up yet my suggestion would be to charge a kit fee of $30 per session.

Please disregard this advice, as this is not the professional way to do things and I know the more seasoned artists will echo this.

First, there is no such thing as a kit fee unless you're working on a film.

Professional MUAs charge half day and full day rates, not ever per look or per model. The only time this is applicable is if you're working for bridal.

If you're still working on your port (like I am!) do a LOT of testing with great photographers and models to build up your port. I'm currently doing this and even though I'm not getting paid, I'm gaining valuable images for my port (still waiting on some hmph! lol). Once my port is really up to par I can start sending my rates to anyone who wants to work with me (unless they're so amazing I wouldn't mind a trade).

So until you get your port where you want it, test, test, test!

And look up the FAQs on here, there's a lot of valuable knowledge about everything in your post.

Good luck!

Makeup By Marisa Ross wrote:

Please disregard this advice, as this is not the professional way to do things and I know the more seasoned artists will echo this.

First, there is no such thing as a kit fee unless you're working on a film.

Professional MUAs charge half day and full day rates, not ever per look or per model. The only time this is applicable is if you're working for bridal.

If you're still working on your port (like I am!) do a LOT of testing with great photographers and models to build up your port. I'm currently doing this and even though I'm not getting paid, I'm gaining valuable images for my port (still waiting on some hmph! lol). Once my port is really up to par I can start sending my rates to anyone who wants to work with me (unless they're so amazing I wouldn't mind a trade).

So until you get your port where you want it, test, test, test!

And look up the FAQs on here, there's a lot of valuable knowledge about everything in your post.

Good luck!

This is how it is done here. Every makeup artist I work with does this.

Star wrote:
if you have a great book, then you can charge the going rate from your area, HOWEVER if you currently have NO book you shouldn't be charging at all. in fact you should be paying someone to help you create a portfolio.

You could try testing, but i know artists who test for months, even years, without building a commercially viable book. The only way to know you are getting commercially viable images is to pay for a portfolio shoot.

models may need to pay. A mua should NEVER have to pay.

HFox Makeup wrote:
Elizabeth,

The makeup artists you work with are considered amateurs or newbies that are still testing (tfp).  Pro Makeup Artist (get regular commercial work) charge by half day and full day rates.

xElizabethx wrote:

models may need to pay. A mua should NEVER have to pay.

ummmm.... no. That is just plain silly.

xElizabethx wrote:
hidden post

qfm

Star wrote:
ummmm.... no. That is just plain silly.

Sheila Northcutt wrote:
Glamour, wedding or dabbling makeup artists usually charge per face, serious makeup artists follow the advice laid out here. Decide which type of artist you want to be and charge accordingly. Once you start putting yourself into one box, it's hard to move out of that box.

Glamour is where the money is at

xElizabethx wrote:
Glamour is where the money is at

There is definitely money to be had with glamour and wedding makeup - that's why I suggested to the OP they needed to decide what type of artist they want to be. It takes much longer to start making money the other way, so it cannot be about the money but rather your long term goal. My long-term goal is to be a pro-quality artist and work with amazing and artistic people. So, right now, my credit card balance is larger than my check book balance. I have no guarantee that it will ever reverse. However, I love the photographers I work with, I love the art I get to create and I believe if I continue to be smart about my process I will eventually achieve my goal. Now, I have tons of offers to get paid for makeup work. But, it's usually for things I do not want my reputation attached to and for photographers that aren't going to help me in the long run. They will always go to the cheapest MUA and when you decide that you are worth more than you have been working for, then they will say c-ya.

xElizabethx wrote:
Glamour is where the money is at

Really?  And I've wasted all this time building a brand?!  Stupid me.

Makeup By Marisa Ross wrote:

Please disregard this advice, as this is not the professional way to do things and I know the more seasoned artists will echo this.

First, there is no such thing as a kit fee unless you're working on a film.

Professional MUAs charge half day and full day rates, not ever per look or per model. The only time this is applicable is if you're working for bridal.

If you're still working on your port (like I am!) do a LOT of testing with great photographers and models to build up your port. I'm currently doing this and even though I'm not getting paid, I'm gaining valuable images for my port (still waiting on some hmph! lol). Once my port is really up to par I can start sending my rates to anyone who wants to work with me (unless they're so amazing I wouldn't mind a trade).

So until you get your port where you want it, test, test, test!

And look up the FAQs on here, there's a lot of valuable knowledge about everything in your post.

Good luck!

Great post.

Mary wrote:
LOL at this entire thread!

beginners....please pay attention to the pros, there are a few here, look at their portfolios and ignore the rest of the advice...it's just so wrong.  I can't even quote each wrong thing here and correct it, it would take all day

Just curious would you consider anything I said "wrong"...I've been in the industry for a couple years now and like to think I have a handle on things...but I'm always looking to learn more.  Appreciate your input Mary.

Andie Sleeman wrote:
Just curious would you consider anything I said "wrong"...I've been in the industry for a couple years now and like to think I have a handle on things...but I'm always looking to learn more.  Appreciate your input Mary.

what you said was right on the money.

I don't like to single people out but the pros (professional makeup artists) as usual got it right here.

Mary wrote:

what you said was right on the money.

I don't like to single people out but the pros (professional makeup artists) as usual got it right here.

Thank you Mary. 

Mary wrote:
LOL at this entire thread!

beginners....please pay attention to the pros, there are a few here, look at their portfolios and ignore the rest of the advice...it's just so wrong.  I can't even quote each wrong thing here and correct it, it would take all day

I don't mind being corrected if I'm wrong either. If I'm giving out wrong information, I want to know because I don't want to be stuck in amateurland forever.

Sheila Northcutt wrote:
I don't mind being corrected if I'm wrong either. If I'm giving out wrong information, I want to know because I don't want to be stuck in amateurland forever.

as I said, the pros were correct....as you were.... the MAKEUP ARTISTS here in my opinion were correct...


These are the issues I had with this post...all of this is just wrong

1) models may need to pay. A mua should NEVER have to pay. (real models get paid to work as do MUA)
2) The money is in glamour (no, it's in bridal and commercial)
3) best way to charge is per look (never charge per look, a real pro would never do that)

Diana wrote:

Great post.

Thanks! That means a lot coming from someone I admire as an artist

Andie Sleeman wrote:
Hey.  I know starting out it can be a bit confusing about what to charge with terms like kit fee, per face, day rate flying around. 

Me personally I charge a day and half day rate (call artist in your area and ask their rates to get an idea of what you should be charging for YOUR area). 

I do not offer a kit fee unless I am working on a film (or other project that is over a series of days/weeks/months that is going to use a lot of my kit up).  My daily rate already has "costs" worked into it.

When I collaborate with other creative minds in a "trade" capacity I am looking to expand my skill set and portfolio and DO NOT charge anything.  Yes, we (makeup artists and hair stylists) are using some of our product but you have to realize the photographer is using their equipment that they have sunk big bucks into, the models have spent their hard earned cash on beauty treatments and looking their best, wardrobe stylists have invested in their wardrobe, etc.  And we all are putting in the our valuable time to work together. 

I do offer a testing rate for new models/photographers/stylists that I have no worked with before.

You're going to have to sort of figure out what your market rate is...you do not want to undercut other artists in your area (that is no way to do business get paid what you're worth...it's important to remember once you quote a rate to a potential client that is your rate it is difficult to go back and up it).

I hope this helps.  If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

Good luck!

Very helpful.  I never thought of a test rate for new models/photographers/stylist though.  If it is TFP do you still charge a test rate?  I am still learning.

Tara Pagliara wrote:
I dont know if this has been posted already but if you are JUST starting out then you are going to be doing ALOT of gratis work.

But with respect to those who are just starting out, look up MUAs who have been in the business for a while in your own hometown (or closest "big" city) and see if there is a possible assistant position that you can work in order to learn the ropes.

I advise anyone starting out to NEVER be afraid to ask someone in your area because the true professionals are always willing to offer advice, helpful hints, and tips for starting out.

Tantalizing Eyez MUA wrote:
Very helpful.  I never thought of a test rate for new models/photographers/stylist though.  If it is TFP do you still charge a test rate?  I am still learning.

TFP is Time for Print (or TFCD is for CD of images)

You do not charge for TF* assignments, not even a kit fee.  TF* should be reserved for any situation where you expect your book would be improved by a collaboration of all parties involved.  If it's a lateral (meaning no improvement, but doesn't bring it down either) test, there needs to be something else in it for you, like the shooter and/or model have a resume that is where you are headed.  If they like you, these people have connections.  NEVER test down.

A Testing Rate is for all tests where you do not expect to get anything worthwhile for your portfolio.  These rates are far above the mythical kit fees amateurs charge, but far below standard commercial day and half day rates.  You won't get rich off these, but you won't be wasting your time either.  If, by chance, a usable image comes out of the shoot, you can negotiate for a copy of it.  Find the right shooter who might be booking multiple models in a day for testing, and you could make out alright for the day.

Any job where someone will be making money off the shoot (as in, there's an end client, like a local boutique using the images for their website), you need to get paid.

I disagree with Star slightly on one point.  I think that eventually it may be a good idea to pay a team to work with you on your portfolio.  But I think each artist needs to get some TF*s under their belt, first to even make sure they really want to do this as a career, learn set etiquette, pick up speed, and hone skills.  When you've hit that plateau where you can't seem to test up anymore, because you've done all you can with the people you've worked with, then you consider paying a team to really kick your book to the next level and attract better TF*s.

xElizabethx wrote:
I would follow the advice of trained and very reputable makeup artists like Tara Ward https://www.modelmayhem.com/165628

She charges by look! But I guess that makes her an amateur lol

If you pay really close attention to her rates, she's charging $75 for a hit and run shoot.  You want her to stay, she charges hourly.

You cannot make a living off $30 a look, because if you're staying all day, it may take all day to get to the second look.  So you've made $60 for the day.  And that's if the photog doesn't haggle about how for the second look, all you did was darken the blush a bit, and changed the lipstick.

EmElle Makeup and Hair wrote:

TFP is Time for Print (or TFCD is for CD of images)

You do not charge for TF* assignments, not even a kit fee.  TF* should be reserved for any situation where you expect your book would be improved by a collaboration of all parties involved.  If it's a lateral (meaning no improvement, but doesn't bring it down either) test, there needs to be something else in it for you, like the shooter and/or model have a resume that is where you are headed.  If they like you, these people have connections.  NEVER test down.

A Testing Rate is for all tests where you do not expect to get anything worthwhile for your portfolio.  These rates are far above the mythical kit fees amateurs charge, but far below standard commercial day and half day rates.  You won't get rich off these, but you won't be wasting your time either.  If, by chance, a usable image comes out of the shoot, you can negotiate for a copy of it.  Find the right shooter who might be booking multiple models in a day for testing, and you could make out alright for the day.

Any job where someone will be making money off the shoot (as in, there's an end client, like a local boutique using the images for their website), you need to get paid.

I disagree with Star slightly on one point.  I think that eventually it may be a good idea to pay a team to work with you on your portfolio.  But I think each artist needs to get some TF*s under their belt, first to even make sure they really want to do this as a career, learn set etiquette, pick up speed, and hone skills.  When you've hit that plateau where you can't seem to test up anymore, because you've done all you can with the people you've worked with, then you consider paying a team to really kick your book to the next level and attract better TF*s.

Thank you for the info!

Mary wrote:

as I said, the pros were correct....as you were.... the MAKEUP ARTISTS here in my opinion were correct...


These are the issues I had with this post...all of this is just wrong

1) models may need to pay. A mua should NEVER have to pay. (real models get paid to work as do MUA)
2) The money is in glamour (no, it's in bridal and commercial)
3) best way to charge is per look (never charge per look, a real pro would never do that)

Agreed.

Also, don't take for granted the wealth of knowledge that is provided by the pros on here, if you read through the threads (you can always tell who the actual pros are) it will save you a ton of grief. I was part of the last round of artists that didn't have a ton of online resources and provided a lot for others to learn from from my learning experiences and from those of other artists who sort of started at the beginning of all of this hullabaloo.

I agree that a beginner make-up artist should not pay, mainly because it will be a waste of money. Not because hiring a photographer is a waste, but the taste level just isn't there for most newer artists. Testing exists for more than just book-building, it's absolutely necessary to learn the ropes of the business and develop your style. Invest your money in a more personal way, if there is a photographer you want to shoot with or an artist that you want to assist, take them to lunch or coffee, show your book, pick their brain. There really isn't a shortcut when it comes to these things- sure you could hire an awesome photographer and team to build your book, but it really misses the point of what testing is- so you get some rad shots, book a job because of those shots only to lose the client because you can't deliver.

xElizabethx wrote:
You should charge by the look, thats the most effective way to charge.

You could do $30/per model, per look for something natural
and $50/per model, per look for more intense looks using lashes.

Or if you don't have a portfolio built up yet my suggestion would be to charge a kit fee of $30 per session.

Wow, umm, no!  This is very wrong.  I can't even tell you how wrong this informations  is!  Listen to Mary and Emelle and RayRay.  Professional MUA's who do this as a profession (how they pay their rent and eat and feed their family) charge Half Day and Full Day rates. 

It is how I do it and how I have ALWAYS done it.  It is the real and professional way of doing things.

Everything else is just silly.