How to build a bridal makeup portfolio

Your portfolio is probably the most important part of your armoury as a makeup artist. It will be the deciding factor for a bride whether she chooses to initially email you or not so it has to look amazing. When you are first starting out this can be a hard thing to get off the ground but you have to start somewhere!

When I started out, I organised a mini photo-shoot with a local photographer who wanted to do a ‘test’ for his portfolio, I asked my friend who was keen to get into modelling if she would mind posing as a bride which she was more than happy to do, everyone was a winner! I borrowed a dress from one of my married friends and off we went!

Just remember, every time you make up a friend, family member or a client, make sure you take a good quality close up photograph of them before and after the finished makeup look. Future brides always like to see the transformation of previous clients (even if it is your mum or sister) 

Another option in building your portfolio is to assist other makeup artists. Many bridal makeup artists need help with large wedding parties. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn the skills required in coping with the special demands of a nervous bride or a stress mother! 

Please do keep in mind though, the work would need to be entirely your own to put in into your portfolio or on your social media. It would not be good practice to put the other makeup artists work as your own.

Explain you are trying to start your portfolio and would she mind if you worked on one of the bridesmaids yourself so you can get a nice photo to use on your website. It is extremely important to note, if you do assist another artist, and post work from the day on your social media, you must always credit them as well, as they were the one that got you the job in the first place and you are more likely to be asked again if you follow good practice.

Initially these photos can be gathered in a gallery on a Facebook page or on an Insatgram profile (or both) these platforms are hugely popular and an absolute must for makeup artists today, especially when you are starting out, even if some people still prefer to look at a book.

Eventually you will need to have your portfolio accessible on a professional website which will be your "shop window" , and be the focal point for your work and your business.