How do you find an agency and what type of model are you? Runway, editorial, commercial, petite, plus size etc…

Once you find an agency they will be able to guide you on your specific career strategy as a model and how they will market you.

One thing for sure is that if you’re a new model and have no photos you will have to get some done. In most instances your agent will recommend photographers and makeup artists so you can pick and choose who to work with in confidence.

As a Wisconsin makeup artist I’ve been able to help a lot of new models get a great start to their portfolios. It’s typically a collaboration between everyone involved, the model, photographer, makeup artist, and stylist. The goal is for you to start to develop your book that shows your best features to your clients.

So, this brings me to my latest collaboration with a new model, Amy, and photographer Mike Roemer. Mike is an amazing commercial and editorial photographer in Green Bay and every time we collaborate it’s a success…his vision and talent always set the most beautiful shots! Amy was send to us by her local agency and needed to get some photographs for their website where now days it seems that most talent is marketed.

Mike and I met with Amy to talk about concepts that we wanted to capture and we needed to include her input. We spent time planning wardrobe, location, and the number of looks we wanted to get that day…and we did get alot of them! Typically it’s two looks for a shoot like this to start out, but Amy was willing to do a few extra looks that Mike and I wanted for our portfolios so it was a win win situation for all of us.

Here are some of the finals from our shoot. I also want to give a big thank your to Mike Weisman for being our lighting assistant!

So, if you are a new model or a model that needs to update his/her portfolio don’t hesitate to contact me. Remember, your photos are your advertising campaign and it’s extremely important to show quality vs. quantity. Choose your team wisely and you’ll look professional and serious about your career.

Jai

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I wish you a Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to 2012!

I wanted to share with you a recent shoot I did for Mighty Dog and their 2012 calendar…Big Guy, Small Dog.

A few months back I was contacted by a pet photographer for a photo shoot in Green Bay, WI. My first reaction was why do they need this professional Wisconsin makeup artist for a doggy shoot? The photographer is J. Nichole Smith and her studio is named dane + dane studios. They specialize in professional pet photography and when I looked at their website I was excited about the opportunity to work with them!

Earlier this year Purina ran a contest where men could write a short essay telling why their dog is a Mighty Dog. Green Bay Packer player, A.J. Hawk, was involved because he personally wants to change the stereotype about small dogs and their owners. He read through numerous entries and helped choose 11 finalists. Each of these winners would be photographed with their dog and it would appear on the calendar. A.J. would be the 12th man featured.

I was the lucky one who got to shoot with A.J and his teacup chihuahua, Todd. It seemed that Todd didn’t think he was small at all, he had a BIG personality! It was a fun day watching them interact and seeing a football linebacker with a 4 pound dog was priceless!

You can go to the Mighty Dog website and download a calendar today. You’ll love the heart warming stories!

Here are a few photos from the calendar and a behind scenes shot of me with A.J and Todd!

I was contacted by the NFL Network to provide makeup and hair services for their team of correspondents that were coming into town for a live broadcast show that day. I was excited to find out who I would be working with and to be right there onset at Lambeau Field. I think my husband was more excited than me, but I think that’s a guy thing when it comes to sports.

Anyway, I had a great day and got to work with some amazing talent like Sterling Sharpe, Deion Sanders, Mike Mayock, and Stacy Dales. This was my first “live” broadcast show and it was so cool. I did dvr the show and got so see my work as soon as I got home that night.

Here are some photos from the day…and the Packers had a sweet win – 42 to 34!!!

My Access Pass

I'm watching my crew for touch-ups during the live broadcast.

Behind the scenes getting the set just right.

Sterling, Mike and Deion

A view from the monitor.

I do have to give a shout out to Graftobian Make-up Co. and Mallatt Pharmacy & Costumes in Madison for getting me the awesome HD Pro Powder Foundation Pallette at the last minute!

Also, thanks Matt Ludtke for the photo of me working!!!

Jai

I would love to share with you one of my favorite hair products that I cannot live without! It’s called It’s a 10 … a simple solution of products designed to improve the condition and manageability of your hair.

I discovered It’s a 10 about five years ago while working at a salon and am still using it every time I shampoo my hair. It’s their Miracle Leave-in Product. If you’re like me when you go to a salon you want to keep your hair looking as fantastic as it does when you leave the salon and keep it that way till your next salon visit. I get overwhelmed by the number of products out there that all do something different. It’s a 10 is formulated to deliver a combination of 10 benefits that use to take numerous products to achieve!! It repairs dry damaged hair, adds shine, smooths and controls frizz, flat iron spray and thermal protector, seals and protects hair color, detangles, stops hair breakage, creates silkiness, enhances natural body, and prevents split ends. It’s a miracle!!!

Since I started using the Miracle Leave-In Product they’ve added a number of new products to their line, such as shampoo, conditioner, styling serum, gel, texture fiber, and shine spray. You can visit their website at It’s a 10 Hair Care to see a full description of their products and where to buy. Also, follow them on facebook!

Go get yourself a bottle and start to de-clutter your bathroom shelves!

I was ecstatic to be contacted by them late last year for a photo shoot to be published in their February 2011 issue.

Probably not as excited as the grand prize winner, Laurie M., who won the Bing Decisive Style sweepstakes! Laurie is from Green Bay, Wisconsin and as the winner she was treated to the ultimate luxury: a fashion makeover, shopping spree, and a professional photo shoot to showcase her new look!!

InStyle wanted to pull a local team together to provide Laurie with the best professionals to make her experience successful and memorable.

Dillion Pasterski, one of my favorite fashion stylists, took Laurie shopping and styled the shoot. John Hethorn, an amazing beauty and fashion photographer, captured her look. I did the makeup and hairstyling for Laurie. Our artistic team of talent impressed InStyle and they were thrilled with the results.

Here is the page that was published in the February issue. You can see the final result our sweepstakes winner. She looked great and loved her makeover. I’m in the other photo shopping with Dillon and Laurie. This shopping photo was taken at Azure, which is an awesome boutique in downtown De Pere. They carry some cutting edge labels and have unique jewelry, accessories and clothing. If you haven’t been there you need to make the trip!

So, what was going on in Las Vegas in January?? Only one of the biggest hairshows in the nation! Redken’s Symposium is a three day educational show for hair stylists to learn cutting edge techniques and get inspired by the industry’s most acclaimed artists, including Sam Villa, Chris Baran, and Hugo Urias. Over 9,500 people were at Mandalay Bay to catch the action!

I was part of a team of 17 makeup artists who did makeup for about 15 teams of Redken Educators. I traveled from Wisconsin, but our artists were from all over the U.S. I think our makeup team did over 200 models per day…it was crazy busy fun!

We also got treated to a live concert from 2011 Grammy winners, Train! It was an amazing event and I look forward to the next show in 2013!!

Below are some photos courtesy of Redken’s fan page and some I took too!

Thanks Redken for the amazing opportunities. I will see you at America’s Beauty Show for another inspirational event.

Grand Opening Event

Sam Villa and Kris Sorbie on stage.

Amazing Hair...behind the scenes.

Some colorful styles.

The makeup!!

Train in concert!

I’m Jai, a freelance makeup artist in Wisconsin. Some of you may know me already, so you know the passion and love I have for my career! For those that don’t know me I’ll give you a few little personal tidbits so you can get a feel for who I am.

I love new experiences and meeting new people.
I believe that popcorn is a food group.
I enjoy cooking.
I lived in Florida for 6 years.
Lady Gaga – She rocks!
I love wine and recently took a Sonoma wine tour…delicious!
My husband and I are celebrating 20 years of wedded bliss this year.
I read magazines, not books.

If you are a first time visitor I hope you find yourself coming back to see more and read my blog. If you’ve been here before I thank you for coming back to check it out! Please feel free to send me a note with any feedback.

I will continue to add new work to my galleries…so come back and visit often. My blog will give me the chance to share makeup tips, answer any beauty questions, share discounts, provide product reviews and a “favorite things” section.  I’ll also share my personal experiences and let you follow my career as a makeup artist.

Stay tuned for my blog on one of the industry’s biggest and most innovative events. Redken Symposium in Las Vegas brought in 10,000 Redken hairdressers to learn the hottest trends, attend focus groups, share ideas, and have a blast. I can’t wait to show and share the things I saw from my view in the makeup room!

Jai