Conversations and Collaborations…or How to Win Friends and Influence People

Charlotte Rose.

Technorati Tags: MUA,creative,collaboration modle,photography,makeup artist,excellence,learn,humility,humble

Copyright Stephen Bennett 2014

 

 

Received a message from a make up artist…

 

MUA: HI! I just finished my makeup course, and I am keen to collaborate with fellow creatives.

 

That was enough to put an end to it there, but as her Facebook profile had half a dozen , very poor and grainy selfie pics, obviously taken with a phone, of her work , I persevered.

 

Have you had much experience yet?

 

MUA: Just a started up my business: done a friend’s wedding and do all my girlfriends nails. What experience have you had?

 

Agghhh!

 

Over forty years in freelance photography, specialising in model work, and internationally published.

 

MUA: Oh wow…cool

 

So you want to do photographic makeup. Did your course cover it? And have you worked with any photographers yet?

 

MUA: Yeah my course was three months, and covered everything, but wanna work with photographers and video, and get some experience. Cause that’s where it’s at!

 

Teeth beginning to grind

 

Well take a look at the pics on my website, and see if that’s the kind of thing you’d like to do. (URL forwarded)

 

Thirty second silence from other end.

 

MUA: Who does your makeup? Those photos are dreadful!. Makeup is all wrong! The models look ugly!…

 

And wait for it…

 

MUA: I look forward to working with you in the future, so that I can lift the bar on your photography, and elevate your work to a much needed high standard of quality.

 

Then followed a pre-prepared advertising screed (no doubt a handout from the makeup Course) about the benefits to photographers and videographers about using a makeup artist “skilled” in the use of fake tans, artificial nails, and a well known very cheap and nasty brand of thick oily foundation.

 

Needless to say I and most other “creatives”” are being bombarded with this kind of nonsense on almost a daily basis. The conversations with anyone of the legions of so called “models” , proliferating on Facebook and modelling sites are even better.

 

Whatever happened to humility, humbleness, respect and a willingness to learn…to actually walk before you try to run?

 

 

©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXIV
Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including any  photographs  and files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The Australian Copyright Act allows certain uses of content on the internet without the copyright owner's permission. This includes uses by educational institutions for educational purposes, and by Commonwealth and State government departments for government purposes, provided fair payment is made. For more information, see www.copyright.com.au and www.copyright.org.au.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.

Interesting Links:
My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me

What Does your Portfolio Say about You?

All creative artists either have or need a portfolio of some sort, so this post does not only apply to models or photographers.

• Do you have a printed portfolio?
• Do you have a business card, postcards, mailers, brochures,  comp card, example portfolio, folio or show reel on CD or DVD, to anything to leave behind for reference?
• Do you have a website which showcases your work?
• Or does your portfolio only exist on Modelling/photographer sites such as Starnow, or ModelMayhem or any of those similar sites.
• Or, better than nothing (almost), are you one of those Facebook only models, photographers, artists?

It seems that portfolios broadly fall into one of four categories:

1. Full Steam Ahead: those which show of a definite individual style, creative, tightly edited, technically excellent, and highly focused on the artist and future development. The product for sale or hire is you.
2. Steady as She Goes: those which are varied, and confident, but still showing creativity and untapped potential, professional and competent in tackling all assignments made available.
3. At Moorings, in Ballast: the general majority which show a limited range , low to average quality, and exhibit a sameness with so many other portfolios: no challenges attitude, just give me more of the same thankyou.
4. Under Tow to the Breaker’s Yard: those who spring about in all directions, chase trends, follow every piece of poor advice and bad information, worship false gurus, jump at every casting call which promises that “this will be great for your portfolio”

Amongst these broad categories only Category number One shows any understanding of the proper purpose of a portfolio to an artist:
Portfolios are not meant to document the past: they are to represent what you want to achieve in the future.
Family and friends look at a portfolio to feel proud of what has been accomplished: an industry professional looks at a portfolio to ascertain just how well your individuality, personality, creativity,knowledge, ability technique, professionalism and flair will be able to make his future project the best it can be, and to single you out from all the other portfolios he will be looking at in relation to enhancing his own image and reputation.
So take a second look at your portfolio, or when you are assembling your first portfolio, (as the case may be) look objectively at every image you wish to include, not as an artist, not as a photographer, and not as a model but as a prospective client, a future employer of your skills, as a prospective buyer of your services.

1. Does your portfolio tell prospects what you do – the subjects you cover well and how you do it with effective creativity, technique and individual style?
2. Do your visuals have marketability? Are they saleable?
3. Are the images geared to specific markets? Specific clients? Or able to fill an existing or niche need?
4. Is your book well edited and do the images have a relationship to one another?
5. Do the images flow well as the viewer progresses through your portfolio?
6. Does your folio “sell” you, your abilities, your creativity and your individual style?

©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXIV
Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including any  photographs  and files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The Australian Copyright Act allows certain uses of content on the internet without the copyright owner's permission. This includes uses by educational institutions for educational purposes, and by Commonwealth and State government departments for government purposes, provided fair payment is made. For more information, see www.copyright.com.au and www.copyright.org.au.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.
Interesting Links:
My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me