Interview With a Makeup Artist

I asked Denise Christensen some questions about being a makeup artist. Check out what she had to say:


When did you know you wanted to be a makeup artist?

I actually fell into the profession of being a makeup artist. With a history in the entertainment industry, I fell in love with the glamorous entertainment life.  I knew I wanted to do something in the industry and I thought being a fashion stylist was the right fit. Coming from the small town of Logan, Utah I had high hopes of making it big. I wanted to move to the big city and go to fashion design school. I started researching schools in LA and came across a Makeup Artistry school that offered a Fashion Stylist program. But in order to get to the stylist program, you first had to take Beauty Makeup Artistry and Hair styling courses.  I completed the entire school, then attended California Design School for fashion merchandising while doing makeup and hair on the side. I learned I had the talent, ambition and passion for the art and beauty of makeup! Makeup is my true passion in life and feel so fortunate I was able to fall into it. 

How did you get started?

After school, I looked online everyday for makeup artistry jobs. Some of my first LA jobs were for film, runway, Wire Image Studios and celebrities. To get more practice I worked for Hazen Photography, then MAC cosmetics. 

What is your favorite makeup product?

Its so hard to pick one! Hoola Bronzer by Benefit is by best friend. Lip tar by OCC and Fix + by MAC. 

You do hair as well. What is your favorite hair product?

My secret weapon to soft manageable hair that holds is Rave hairspray. 

How do you keep up with current trends?

I keep up with current trends by watching runway shows from Paris, Milan and New York. I always pick up fashion magazines to create inspiration boards. I do lots of research online, looking at fashion blogs, magazine websites, celebrity photos. You can keep up with certain makeup trends by simply looking at the people around you! 

What is your favorite "look" to create?

I specialize in perfected beauty looks. I am very good at creating soft feminine looks and beautiful perfected glamour looks. 

What is the biggest beauty mistake women make?

Wearing the wrong type/color of foundation. 

If you could share only one beauty tip what would it be?

Take care of your skin! Eat healthy, drink lots of water, exercise, wear sunblock, and don't tan your face! Your makeup can only look as good as your skin looks! 


Thanks to Denise for her time answering my questions. Denise and I have worked together with lots of my boudoir clients. She makes them look fabulous. During the preview session I hear so many compliments about her work and how much the girls loved their hair and makeup. She really listens to what they want. It makes my job easier because it's easy to step out of the hair and makeup chair feeling glamorous and ready to pose. I love it when girls say they are shy and then take a look in the mirror and see how Denise has transformed them and then start posing like a top model because of the self confidence. I highly recommend doing a boudoir session that include hair and makeup. It's the complete experience.

Best Breast Cancer PSA Ever!

This is an older PSA that was produced by Zig Inc. and aired in Canada. I understand that they were trying to avoid scare tactics and go for humor instead to remind women to do their own monthly self examinations.
I was just told about it by a friend and thought I would share.



Isn't the guy in the video too funny? I love it.
But the important thing is that it's a good message. I was chatting with a VERY YOUNG breast cancer survivor recently and she said "My husband found the lump first. I had it checked out and it was cancer! Thankfully we caught it earlier than if I had waited to go to the doctor for my yearly exam. So I tell ladies to let their husbands feel them up regularly, it may save their lives".

Boudoir Album Design

This is actually from a boudoir session that happened awhile ago. However, I was looking through my archives and remembered I haven't shared a lot of completed album designs. This was ordered as a flushmount album. (Yes, that is a chain saw, and yes, it had significance) Enjoy:

Model Tips - Getting Started

Want to model? This post isn't going to tell you how to tell if you have what it takes and I won't try and delve into the realities or gritty truth about a model's life. It's all about how to get started modeling and how to build your portfolio. Here are my tips:

Use Networking sites: Sites like Model Mayhem (my personal fave), One Model Place and even Facebook are great places to post images and get seen. However there are right ways to do this and wrong ways to do this. Keep reading to find out what images to post.

-Build a portfolio of your best images: As your collection of images grows you will acquire great images, images that are just okay and those that aren't very good at all. Don't keep the stuff that is only so-so. Show only your best images in your portfolio. It's better to have a few outstanding images than to include a bunch of mediocre images that water down the whole portfolio. Don't worry about showing a vast variety. A little variety of outstanding images is more attention grabbing.

-Show what you like: As you do more and more modeling you are going to gravitate toward a niche. You will find what you are naturally good at and what excites you. Show these types of images in your portfolio. You will get booked for the same type of shoots.

-Post headshots first: I can't stress this enough. I look for models once in awhile for my sister's fashion designs or for other projects. When I am looking for a model I usually have a certain look in mind. I need to see what the model looks like. On sites like Model Mayhem it must seem like a good idea to post the most edgy and creative shot you can for your avatar. I then have to click through your profile to get to the portfolio to see if you have any headshots. However, if I am scanning through models and there are some with good clean headshots I will check them out first skipping right past the images where I can't see the model at all.

Include other important images: After your first headshot image make sure you post some that are full length. After your basic shots you can show more variety and those that are more creative. Make sure you include images that show off your best features. Have great legs? Make sure you have images that show this. Want to model cosmetics? Include close ups of your beautiful face with at least one natural look and a more dramatic look.

Be responsive and professional: This is my final tip and may be the most important. Make sure that if you list email as your primary way to contact you that you check it often. Sometimes opportunities come at short notice. Respond back right away and be professional and use good grammar (I am sure I make all sorts of grammar mistakes on my blog. Your communication doesn't need to be perfect - just readable.). I know you want to model and aren't looking to be a writer, but professionals want to hire professionals. They also want to know that the model is smart enough to understand their vision and instructions.

Respond back even if you can't make the shoot or aren't interested. It's good manners. Thank them for the opportunity and politely pass on the project.

NEVER flake on a shoot. If something comes up and you can't make it - call! Even if it is a trade shoot where no money is exchanged, you don't want a reputation in the industry as being a flake. You may miss out on future paid jobs.

I hope these tips help. If you are looking for more advice or have a question about modeling shoot me an email. If you want to build your portfolio let me know and we will set up a shoot. I have different packages and rates to fit what your portfolio needs.

P.S. I also love to look at portfolios. I would love to give you some advice if you want to send me a link to yours.

Shame on Disney

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't seen the movie Tangled... what is wrong with you? Just kidding, but don't read the following if you don't want the end spoiled.

I am so upset with Disney right now. They have introduced a line of merchandise called "Rapunzel's Royal Wedding Collection". Can you spot the problem?

Um, she marries Flynn at the end of the movie... with short brown hair. What is Disney saying? That they don't think they can sell a doll with short brown hair? That long blonde hair is more desirable than short brown hair?

Seriously, Disney, get a clue. I thought you had come a long way since introducing beautiful princesses of different races, skin colors and hair color... guess you are just the same as every other business in the media. Don't get me wrong, blonde hair is beautiful, and so is brown, black, red and blue or whatever color you want your hair to be. But that is the point, beauty isn't one-size-fits-all.

I will not be purchasing these dolls for my daughter. Which is sad because I adore the movie.

VS.

MARCH BOUDOIR SALE!!!

If you read my Valentine's Day post you know that I won't be available during the busiest time of year for boudoir photography :(
So, as an incentive to get you to think ahead and do your shoot early I am having a MARCH BOUDOIR SALE!
I have created two awesome deeply discounted packages I think you will be super excited about. Check them out and then email me at susie@definitionimages.com to book your session.

The rules: This is a limited opportunity and I will book up fast. Your session must take place in March (2012). A $200 deposit is due at the time of booking and the balance must be paid before your photoshoot date. Sales tax will be added to the totals.

More info:
In the Classic + Album package you will receive hair and makeup services by the professional and talented Denise Christensen. The album that comes with this package is the Black Leather Mini Album with presentation box!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Summers get really busy for boudoir photo sessions. One reason is that boudoir photos are popular for brides to give their new husbands and weddings are plentiful in the warm months. I want to give everyone some notice that the studio will be closed in June through at least the first half of July (I am not taking July bookings right now, but I may open up some sessions toward the end of the month, but we'll see). I wish the timing were a little different, but we can't always control everything. (I will quit being cryptic, we are expecting our second child, yay!)

What I am trying to say is - If you want a boudoir photo shoot done in time for your wedding or anniversary (or whatever reason) in the summer you will need to plan ahead. Contact me and we will get your shoot scheduled.

Why Do We Hate Our Stomachs?

I came across a cool blog today called Inside Out Style Blog.

They posted an article titled Why Do We Hate Our Stomachs So Much?
Imogen talks about how it's normal for women's stomachs to have a curve to them. Even most of the thinnest girls don't have flat stomachs. She also talks about how models are airbrushed to look "perfect" for public consumption.

This is dangerous thinking. I wanted to share this article. I hope you will read it. Just like the author, I also hear a lot of women with normal beautiful tummies complain about them to me. I do my best to highlight what you love and hide what you don't. I think I do a good job of this, but I also want you to love your body - all of it. Every women I have ever photographed is beautiful.

image is originally from Inside Out Style Blog

Boudoir Session

This boudoir session was actually a little while ago. My lovely client kindly gave me permission to use her pictures. When I asked if she would sign a release she was very enthusiastic about saying yes. She said she wanted other women to see how great her pictures turned out even though she doesn't have a "perfect body". Those are her words, not mine. I think she is gorgeous and I know her husband would agree!

I thought I would share them in black and white for fun, except the last one because, well, I love pink.

Valentine's Day Boudoir

Wow, I have been so busy. The holidays seemed to fly by. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I even have pictures to share that I have been too busy to post. I will get them up, so check back here soon.

Also, I just wanted to let everyone know I can squeeze two boudoir sessions into my schedule before Valentine's Day. So send me an email if you are interested and we will get you on the schedule.