Should you include a hair and makeup artist?

A professional hair and makeup artist ensures that your look is tailored specifically for studio lighting and remains consistent throughout the entire shoot. The hair and makeup artist is on set the whole time, supporting each look and maintaining camera readiness.

Below are the specific ways the hair and makeup artist supports the images we create.

Day-to-day makeup often does not translate accurately under studio lights. A professional hair and makeup artist matches skin tone correctly, controls shine, and ensures details look natural and polished in the final images.

The hair and makeup artist remains for the duration of the shoot and can create multiple looks at no additional cost. They handle touchups between images and work with the photographer to maintain consistency and camera readiness throughout the session. They also help ensure hair placement looks strong in every frame.

We work exclusively with hair and makeup artists who specialize in commercial and fashion photography. These are the same professionals working on sets for brands such as New Balance, Converse, and Rue La La.

We also make a point of selecting artists who are experienced with all hair types and a full range of skin tones. This is a baseline professional standard in my studio and is part of how we ensure consistent, high-quality results for every client. Many clients have asked about this before booking, and those questions reflect real gaps that have existed in the broader industry. This is not treated as optional, but as a fundamental part of preparing for your shoot.

The $250 fee is paid directly to the hair and makeup artist. I do not earn anything from this service. It exists solely to support the quality of your final portfolio.