Importance Of A Makeup Artist Portfolio & How To Build Yours

As a makeup artist, how do you attract new clients and let them know more about the types of looks you can create? To achieve this, you will need to compile a portfolio of your best works. Chances are, you have served many clients and created many different looks over the years, even if it’s during your esthetics program or esthetician hybrid program training. Putting together a makeup artist portfolio will allow you to showcase what you can offer in one convenient place!

Proof of Your Skills

Do you know what you are doing? What are the skills you have acquired over the course of your training? You may have this knowledge in your head, but prospective clients don’t know what you can offer. With a portfolio you can easily whip out and present to clients, you will have proof of your skills that shows people you don’t just talk the talk, you walk the walk as well!

Showcase a Variety of Different Looks

Throughout the course of your career, you will encounter a broad range of clients who require something different from you. It can be as simple as picking out different colors to suit different skin tones, or creating entirely new looks to suit the theme of a photoshoot or wedding. When you include a variety of different looks in your portfolio, you are showing prospective clients that you have the skills to create a look they will be happy with, regardless of what that might be.

Wield Control Over the Direction of Your Career

Have you mostly been working on events and bridal makeup so far, but would like to steer your career in a different direction? How would you go about doing that? One way is to produce a makeup artist portfolio featuring the type of work you wish to go into.

For example, if you wish to go into editorial photoshoots, you can engage a model to work on and a studio photographer to help you get some amazing pictures. From there, it’s simply a matter of creating your looks and getting some great photos to include in your portfolio.

Building a Portfolio: Best Practices

Now that you know why it’s so important to have a portfolio, below are some tips for building it up:

• Have an Online and Print Portfolio: With almost everything being digital today, having an online portfolio is a must. All you need to do is set up your own website, upload photos of your best work onto it, and include your contact details.
• Choose a Memorable First Image: The first image in your portfolio should make the viewer want to see more of your work. If you have worked on a celebrity or well-known person before, use that! If not, simply choose your best work.
• Include Testimonials: Have you worked with clients who are willing to give you a reference or who have written you a testimonial? You may wish to include these at the end of your portfolio.

And there you have it – you can start building up an impressive makeup artist portfolio now!