Author Topic: Do you have Make-up and Hair on your shoots? (Read 8491 times)

leaf · « **on:** July 13, 2012, 05:05 »

I have almost always just asked the models to come 'ready to shoot' and have generally had good to great results. I have talked to other photographers who use MUA all the time and they wouldn't think of shooting without. On my last shoot, I had a MUA because it was in a hair salon and the shoot 'professional' who was helping us with technical details was there anyhow so she did Make-up and hair and I was able to see first hand that it did really add to the quality of the shoot.. so I'm considering having using a MUA at least sometimes in the future.

So my question, do you have make-up and hair on set when you shoot? Or do you just let the models do their own thing and hope for the best.

Primarily I'm looking for responses from people who already have a little bit of a production budget on their shoots.. people that are buying props, paying models and finding good locations etc.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2012, 06:30 »

I've used a MUA, maybe 3 times. Of course, I shoot "normal people" in "everyday situations", so it works fine for me. I think. I can't see adding another 2 hours, plus numerous MUAs for 10-12 people.

leaf · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:08 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 13, 2012, 06:30

I've used a MUA, maybe 3 times. Of course, I shoot "normal people" in "everyday situations", so it works fine for me. I think. I can't see adding another 2 hours, plus numerous MUAs for 10-12 people.

I was hoping you'd see this thread.

Yeah it would really depend on the shoot and how important each individual is. In your school kids shoot for example, I can't see having a MUA as a worthwhile investment.. at least not on all the kids. At most on a couple of the girls if you wanted something done with the hair.

I also try to shoot more 'real people' or normal looking people so natural easy makeup is good enough.. but the models did look a lot better after their hair was given a little body and style and some very non-visiable but useful make-up was applied.

Anyhow, did you consider it worthwhile for your 3 shoots? Or have you stopped having a MUA?

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:40 »

i am always reading here about people paying for a model but yet on SS i read where nobody pays for a model, they do a CD for the shoot and they get a release and they use models from model mayhem or find someone on the street?

Anymore a model can become a real PITA because of what may happen if they see their image somewhere being used in a way that they dont like and then even though they signed a release they find a lawyer to sue and there are many cases where this is now a common problem.

From what i have read about models most people who shoot them have them come plain and then have a MUA do the MU on them at the shoot.

I myself use Family and self as a model and never use a MUA or use MU period! What guy in their right mind wants to put on MU? I am sure there are a few but that is not real.

fotorob · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:44 »

So far I haven't worked with Hair & Makeup artists.

I had some enquires of some MUA who wanted to work with me, but it was mostly not the price that stopped me from trying but the time they need.

The last MUA I asked said she would need about 2 hours for 3-4 people to make them ready for a stock shooting. So I would not only have to pay the MUA for her work but also add 2 hours for each model which I need to pay, so the whole shooting would suddenly become much more expensive.

leaf · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:49 »

Quote from: fotorob on July 13, 2012, 08:44

So far I haven't worked with Hair & Makeup artists.

I had some enquires of some MUA who wanted to work with me, but it was mostly not the price that stopped me from trying but the time they need.

The last MUA I asked said she would need about 2 hours for 3-4 people to make them ready for a stock shooting. So I would not only have to pay the MUA for her work but also add 2 hours for each model which I need to pay, so the whole shooting would suddenly become much more expensive.

Yeah, it would make the shoot last a bit longer. 30 minutes per models isn't too bad though.. 15 minutes for hair and 15mins for make up. If they knew they had to work quicker or you didn't need much done they might be able to get it done in 20. I always stagger when my models arrive anyhow so each model would only have to arrive 30 minutes (at most) earlier which shouldn't be a problem and shouldn't cost anything (or at least not much) more.

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2012, 09:23 »

Quote from: leaf on July 13, 2012, 08:49

I always stagger when my models arrive anyhow

LOL

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2012, 09:51 »

Quote from: leaf on July 13, 2012, 08:08

Anyhow, did you consider it worthwhile for your 3 shoots? Or have you stopped having a MUA?

They were specifically one person shoots where it was all about that person. One of them paid off really well, but how much of that was due to hair and make up, I don't know.

oxman · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2012, 10:31 »

I have the women do their own MU and it has worked out fine. I have some light powder for shine issues when needed on the face. I shoot mostly lifestyle and fitness but if doing glamour I would think a MUA would be important. I don't shoot those glamour shots since there is so much of that and I doubt it is a big seller for microstock.

Eyedesign · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2012, 11:28 »

Really all depends on the models, some are great at doing their own MU. Others if we don't bring in a stylist and MUA I know we'll have only problems in the post processing.
As for how long it takes, the MUA I use gets the job done 3 - 4 models in about 1 - 1.5 hours. For most stock shoots you don't really need much makeup, just clean up the skin.
Hair is about the same, nothing over the top, nice and simply.

Karimala · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2012, 12:08 »

I've only used MUAs and hair stylists with group shoots, and the photogs split the costs. I've been able to work with some great makeup and hair artists at minimal cost this way.

When I first started my Zazzle store, I discovered that one of their t-shirt models is an amazing hair stylist I worked with on one of the group shoots. He was once the hair stylist for the San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders. Small world, eh?

Here's a pic of Mikel at work (photo by Tim Engle, body painting by Michael Rosner):

luissantos84 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2012, 12:10 »

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on July 13, 2012, 08:40

What guy in their right mind wants to put on MU? I am sure there are a few but that is not real.

seriously? you never seen TV? there isn´t a show or news or other that doesn´t have MU, it doesn´t make you less man come on... thats so old fashioned and biased too

Karimala · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2012, 12:33 »

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on July 13, 2012, 08:40

What guy in their right mind wants to put on MU? I am sure there are a few but that is not real.

See the pic in my previous post. All the work...makeup, hair, photography...is done by men.

ShadySue · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2012, 12:37 »

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on July 13, 2012, 08:40

What guy in their right mind wants to put on MU?

One of my former pupils became a make-up artist, and by sheer coincidence he was one of the MUAs when I went to a minilypse - I don't know which of us was the more surprised to see the other.

lisafx · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2012, 13:04 »

Never used an MUA and don't intend to start. As Sean said, I shoot "real people" in "real situations". I don't shoot anything glamorous, so for me I don't see how that would translate into any additional sales, so I doubt it would pay for itself. I prefer the natural look anyway.

I generally tell models not to go heavy on the makeup, and apply a matte powder that matches their skin tone. Maybe some light eye-shadow and mascara for the women. Most of the men have never used any kind of makeup, so I keep a variety of shades of new pressed powder compacts on hand. When I open one, I put a piece of masking tape with that model's name on it, so they use the same one every time they model. That way I it's nice and sanitary and nobody is sharing makeup with someone else.

None of the guys has ever objected to the makeup. They all seem to understand that this goes along with modeling and will help them look better on camera. If their significant other is there, I let her (or him) put it on them. If not, I do it.

For people who shoot glamor, it would probably be worthwhile to hire an MUA/hair stylist, but not for the kind of stuff I do.

The pressed powder is essential though, IMO, to keep the shine off their faces. Also a towel to blot away sweat if we are shooting outdoors.

leaf · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2012, 02:10 »

Quote from: ShadySue on July 13, 2012, 09:23

Quote from: leaf on July 13, 2012, 08:49
I always stagger when my models arrive anyhow

LOL

?? Perhaps that isn't a common use for the word in other parts of the world? ... or just laughing at the double meaning

4. To arrange in alternating or overlapping time periods: staggered the nurses' shifts.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/stagger

rubyroo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2012, 02:35 »

With regard to the incomprehension that a man might do MU... Back in the 70's and 80's this guy was considered one of the best make-up artists in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Baker_%28makeup_artist%29

Also the industry standard book for MUAs for many years was a vast tome by a Hollywood MUA called Vincent Kehoe. I own that book myself.

More about him here:
http://makeupmag.com/featured/id/305/

The point is that make-up is an art. How creative people are with it depends on them, but a properly trained MUA will have learned an understanding of light, shade, colour combinations and their effects on form.

ETA: Of course, these days, and for the purposes of general stock work... if you understand enough about make up technique and are skilled enough in Photoshop, you can achieve anything you want very realistically in post-production.

ShadySue · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2012, 03:48 »

Quote from: leaf on July 14, 2012, 02:10

Quote from: ShadySue on July 13, 2012, 09:23
Quote from: leaf on July 13, 2012, 08:49
I always stagger when my models arrive anyhow
LOL
?? Perhaps that isn't a common use for the word in other parts of the world? ... or just laughing at the double meaning

Laughing at the double meaning. It took me a few minutes to realise what you actually meant. It sounded like maybe you'd have loads of flakes, so when one arrived, you could hardly believe it!

rubyroo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 14, 2012, 03:57 »

I thought he meant he was stunned by their beauty! Then (like you) I realised what he really meant.

wut · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2012, 10:06 »

Quote from: leaf on July 13, 2012, 08:49

Quote from: fotorob on July 13, 2012, 08:44
So far I haven't worked with Hair & Makeup artists.

I had some enquires of some MUA who wanted to work with me, but it was mostly not the price that stopped me from trying but the time they need.

The last MUA I asked said she would need about 2 hours for 3-4 people to make them ready for a stock shooting. So I would not only have to pay the MUA for her work but also add 2 hours for each model which I need to pay, so the whole shooting would suddenly become much more expensive.

Yeah, it would make the shoot last a bit longer. 30 minutes per models isn't too bad though.. 15 minutes for hair and 15mins for make up. If they knew they had to work quicker or you didn't need much done they might be able to get it done in 20. I always stagger when my models arrive anyhow so each model would only have to arrive 30 minutes (at most) earlier which shouldn't be a problem and shouldn't cost anything (or at least not much) more.

But it usually takes 45 min just for MU

. I usually don't use them, especially not for any sports shoots, family/couple shots etc, but for special effects or some more special, more fashionable shoots, where MU and hairstyle really adds to the end result.

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Author Topic: Do you have Make-up and Hair on your shoots? (Read 8491 times)

leaf

Sean Locke Photography

leaf

ruxpriencdiam

fotorob

leaf

ShadySue

Sean Locke Photography

oxman

Eyedesign

Karimala

luissantos84

Karimala

ShadySue

lisafx

leaf

rubyroo

ShadySue

rubyroo

wut

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