Photographer wants to style hair

April 23, 2008 7:46 AM

What's a good way for a photographer to learn the basics of styling hair?

I'm a photographer and lately I've been doing a bunch of paid portrait shoots. One thing that I think could really improve my photography is being able to style hair myself.

For stuff like senior portraits or prom pictures I know people will usually take their kids to a hairdresser beforehand, but that costs a lot of money. I mostly shoot musicians and dancers that just need affordable headshots/portraits so bringing in an outside stylist is out of the question.

I'd like to learn a bit about hairdressing (and maybe makeup) so that I can at least do a passable job on them before I shoot them. I'm not looking to make it my job or put any local hairdressers out of business, all I want is some basic knowledge so I can make bad hair look a little less awful and good hair look a bit better.

What's the best way to do this? Find a hairdresser I like and ask if they'd tutor me for a modest (how much?) sum? Are there beauty schools that offer relatively short courses that will cover all the basics? Thanks!

posted by sjl7678 to clothing, beauty, & fashion (3 comments total)

Community colleges often offer courses in hair design, and you don't have to be enrolled in a full-on degree program to take them. For example, my local CC has some courses in Barbering, including an introductory one on basic shampooing and styling (as well as one on mustache and beard design!).
posted by bluefly at 8:14 AM on April 23, 2008

I would do as you say, and find a local hairdresser willing to give you some tips. Surely there is a reasonable list of best practices they can give you that will help you in 90% of cases.
posted by o2b at 2:04 PM on April 23, 2008

One thing that drives me nuts when I am shooting portraits against a white backround is flyaways or what my un-manscaped friend refers to as "sticky-uppy-bits;" the same loose strands of hair that would be invisible against a busy background can be super obvious against a blank backdrop.

I would definitely keep some smoothing creme in your camera bag. I, personally, am all about Sebastian Laminates Crema Styler in conjunction with Tresemme Ultra Light No Frizz Shine Spray, but pretty much any product that uses the terms sleek, smooth, or frizz control will have you covered.

How elaborate are the hairstyles you want to do? Vintage hairstyles, like pincurls and beehives, are really difficult; there's a reason people didn't wash their hair everyday back then. So are crazy Marie Antoinette updos. If you're into all that, then yes, I think some classes or a sit-down with a local hairstylist is in order. For the simpler stuff (looking neat and well groomed): do you have any girlfriends who are into their hair? You know, those girls with the multicolored highlights who don't leave the house without their hair being flatironed into submission? I'm not one of those girls, so I don't have any more hair advice for you, but if you can find one I bet they could hook you up.

I would stay away from liquid foundations unless you're thinking of going into the makeup artist biz. They're tough to match and buying a whole palette of them would be extremely expensive. I've heard complaints from models of color that makeup artists never have skin coverage for them.

I would get a kabuki or blush brush and about 5 shades of sheer mineral makeup. Easier to match than liquid foundation, reduces shine. Keep in mind, however, that if someone has mad acne or the skin texture of Seal this is not going to make them an airbrushed glowing goddess. Mineral makeup does not have the coverage of concealer+liquid foundation+powder but having all those products in a million colors would be overkill. A concealer palette that comes with multiple colors would take you pretty far, but even these come in different color collections.

Please use disposable applicators or clean your brushes between each shoot! I would be way grossed if someone used a dirty brush or sponge on my face, and eye infections can spread that way.

A sheer lipgloss could come in handy, too, though I've had problems with studio lights bouncing harshly off heavily laquered lips.

All I know about you is that you're in college without a huge budget; not how professional these portraits are, or whether you are a boy or a girl; so I apologize if I am underestimating your devotion to make-up and hair. A few drugstore basics could have you pretty well covered, I think, and I admire your willingness to learn. I have a photographer friend who knows my skillz with the eyeshadow brush and bemoans the fact he doesn't know how to rock some crazy drag-queen makeup on the girls he shoots. When you can do it yourself, you don't have to keep your fingers crossed that they show up looking fly.
posted by Juliet Banana at 5:16 PM on April 23, 2008