Makeup artists, just like other artists, can prove their credibility by showing a portfolio. This is basically a collection of images to showcase your work which is going to be the basis of a potential client hiring you. Considering the number of makeup artists available in your area, you’re really going to need a competent portfolio so that a client chooses you.
But before you do, know that portfolio building needs careful planning. It’s more than just taking pictures and uploading them on Instagram. Here are some helpful tips on how to build your portfolio.
Create a Schedule
It will be easier for you to plan your portfolio building when you have a schedule. Personally, I become more responsible or I can easily hold myself accountable when I see that there’s an activity that I missed. Plus, if you post based on a schedule, potential clients are going to see how consistent you are and that you are indeed open for business!
Choose a Platform
If you’re tech savvy, then it’s going to be easy for you to build a website. A website is definitely going to make you look so legit especially if it’s polished with your branding.
However, not many of us know how to build a website moreover have the funds for hosting, hiring a web designer or buying a domain. In this case, you can choose from FREE social networking sites. The easiest to use for Makeup Artists is Instagram.
Over the past few years, Instagram has evolved to a platform that is also friendly for businesses and essentially, your freelance makeup artistry is a business. You can put buttons for your clients to reach you easier and you can link it to your other social media platforms.
Since FaceBook bought Instagram a few years ago, you can also run ads through FaceBook Business which will help your portfolio reach the people you target based on their demographics and psychographics.
Prioritize the Quality of Your Images
The quality of your work will be affected by the quality of the images in your portfolio. Good thing that a lot of smart phones available right now, even the cheaper brands have high quality cameras.
It’s very difficult to assess how good you are as a makeup artist if you don’t have great photos which brings me to my next tip.
Collaborate with Others
This is what we often refer to as exchange deals or more commonly known as ex-deals. Throughout your career as a makeup artist, you need to ready to work with different artists like photographers, models, hairstylists and even other makeup artists. So you better get started practicing how to socialize with these people as early as now.
Essentially, an ex deal is someone when a group of artists agree to render their services for free in exchange of the services of others. An ideal ex-deal for portfolio building is you, as the makeup artist, a model and a photographer. You can spend the day together – you are going to create different looks, the model will be the canvass and the photographer can take photos for everyone’s portfolios.
Be Creative
You are not limited to posting only the photos of your work. I personally like posting the following:
- Mini Reviews – whenever I discover a new product, I take a photo or a video of my experience and let my followers know how I feel about the product. This will show my potential clients that I know the products that I use really well.
- Behind-the-Scenes Shots – this will help showcase my setup as a makeup artist. Plus, I also like my face to be in my portfolio so my potential clients may recognize me.
- Reviews – testimonials from past clients will show other people how reliable I am and how effective my skills are.
Create a Mood Board
This will give you a better vision of your portfolio. The best way to start is to look at the portfolio of other artists, not just makeup artists. This will allow you to come up with a way on how to pan out your content. I personally like playing with captions although a lot of the people I know are very particular with their portfolio. The meticulously have a specific setup that they want even for lights and background.
Don’t Rush the Process
Your platforms will grow organically. There are times when your growth in followers is going to plateau but don’t discourage. More importantly, don’t fall into the pit of buying followers just for your portfolio to look like it has value. Although followers are kind of like a currency for artists like us, engagement is more important. The number of people following you won’t matter when there is no engagement on your posts.
Patience is key and don’t forget to remain creative despite this being your money maker.
