Want to be a Model?

Okay, I have had a lot of people ask me how MacKenzie was signed to Tabb Models.

I will start from the beginning, and give some tips on what to do and what NOT to do.

It all started when I was hired to work at a little family owned boutique called Fourth and White Oak. It was a brand spankin' new store when I was hired... I think it had been open for 2 days! Anyway, I had also made a business connection with a photographer who was also pretty new at the time. I thought it would be really cool if we did a photo shoot to show off the clothes and my bosses agreed. Long story short, we rounded up some of our friends, slapped some makeup on 'em and my photographer friend Brandon Burton showed up to shoot them. MacKenzie was one of our models and she loved it. She told me she wanted to model all the time, and I agreed to get her signed.

As my makeup career grew, so did my connections. This is where my advice comes in and you can take it or leave it. This is what worked for us.

1. I was very picky about who MacKenzie could shoot with. I have a certain "no shoot" list that are basically No-No's. Choose to be picky!

2. MacKenzie was 13 when this process began. She was 15 when we signed the contract. Be patient! If this is your passion, then don't give up. We had interviewed with another agency in the OKC area and they turned her down. If she had been 2 inches taller, they would've signed her right then and there. But it turned out okay because we love her agency now!

3. We tend to shoot with a certain type of photographer. Classy. Elegant. NOT creepy. If they seem creepy, they probably are. NEVER GO BY YOURSELF TO A SHOOT. This is so important! Especially in this business, you may meet up with a complete stranger in an area foreign to you. Bring mom, boyfriend, best friend, sister, anyone. If the photographer acts put out by this, then he/she may not be the best person to shoot with. Most male photographers want a witness at the shoot... It protects them, too!

4. Now, when looking to shoot with a photographer, look at their pictures. Have you found cheesy, weird or just plain bad photos in their portfolio? Then don't shoot with them. You don't want that crap in your portfolio!

5. You will need to have nice head shots and body shots taken. Natural, "no-makeup" look, body hugging clothing... People want to see those pictures and think, "Wow, she looks beautiful with no makeup!" You may need to hire a makeup artist for this. If you aren't good at your makeup, then find someone who is good.

6. Okay, to address the skeezy photos I see around Facebook all the time. Do you want to do porn? Do you want to be in Playboy? Does your dream involve nude modeling? No? THEN STOP TAKING NUDIE, SUGGESTIVE PHOTOS. That is all you will ever be contacted about!!! Even if being a Victoria's Secret model is your dream, don't do those kind of photos! Do you see Pam Anderson modeling for VS? No, you don't. (I mean, I get that she totally doesn't have that body type, but you get what I mean.)
Example: Karlie Kloss is a supermodel who did tons of classier shoots. She was in Teen Vogue for goodness' sake. She did her share of edgier stuff, but kept away from non-classy shoots. Now she models for Victoria's Secret. Just sayin'. If you want, take some boudoir pictures. But keep them classy. You know the difference when you see them.

7. Be persistent. This is the best advice I can give. It sounds cheesy, but just don't give up if this is truly what you want.

8. Don't harass the agency you are contacting though... That's just weird.

Again, this is just my advice based on my experience in this business; you can take it or leave it!
You can e-mail me with any questions you may have.

morgan.makeupartist@yahoo.com

Good luck!
Morgan

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How To Be a Bride

How to Be a Bride

Prep List for the “Big Day.”

So you’re engaged… Congratulations! Your wedding day will not only be one of the most exciting days of your life, but it will also be the most photographed. To be glowing and ready on the big day, you will need to follow a few simple steps.

1.  You will need to contact your hair stylist and makeup artist as soon as possible. Most Hair and Makeup Artists are booked at least 6 months to a year in advance. Do your research. Ask for examples of their work. And for goodness’ sakes, hire a pro.

2. You will most likely do a test run of your hair and makeup. I personally like to do them about a month out. Let your makeup artist know if you plan on getting spray tanned, or will be tanning. This will most likely change your foundation color, so they will need to be prepared for any changes. 

3. Ask questions; don’t be afraid to ask for a couple different looks if you aren’t sure what you like best! If you don’t like something, please tell your hair stylist or makeup artist. It won’t hurt our feelings, I promise.

4.  If you are going to get a facial before the big day, you need to get it at least 1-2 weeks before the big day. A facial can cause redness, irritation, and sometimes your skin will get worse before it gets better. Give it time to heel up so you will be glowy on the big day. Also, go to a pro!

5. Eyebrows should be done about 3 days to a week before the big day. This allows time for the redness to die down, as well as any subsequent break-outs or shiny-ness. IF YOU ARE SPRAY TANNING: Ask your eyebrow lady and your spray tan artist when to get your eyebrows done! You don't want to wax off your spray tan!

6. Teeth bleaching should be done according to the directions on the package. Don’t try to use 20 Crest White strips in one day… It doesn’t work like that!

7. On the big day, you will need to eat and drink plenty of water. Most brides forget to do both and they end up feeling awful on their wedding day. Of course, you will need to brush your teeth, wash your face, take a shower, (Don’t wash your hair the day of unless your hairdresser says otherwise!!!!) and MOISTURIZE. This is so important to do, especially on your face. It creates a nice, smooth base for the foundation to sit on. Also, exfoliate your lips, and then apply lip balm.

8. Seriously though, follow your own personal hair dresser’s and makeup artist’s instructions for how they want your hair and face to look the day of. If they say, “Don’t wash your hair on the same day, please!” then wash your hair the night before. Trust us. If you hire a pro, they know what they are doing and wouldn’t let you look bad! 

These are my basic Bridal instructions… Even if you don’t hire a hair stylist or makeup artist, following these basic steps will help create a great foundation for your wedding day!

Good luck! 

Morgan

Conversations with my Dad

What Are Your Goals?

Last night, I was sitting in the living room with my younger sister Madison and my Dad. 

Now, my Dad has always been one of the smartest people I know.

I mean, I'm pretty sure he is actually James Bond. 

His name is James Black...and I have no idea what he actually does for a living...

But anyway, Madison and I had been talking a lot about feeling restless in our lives.

I know she has her reasons that I won't share because it's not my place to say, but I have been feeling a restless in my heart and couldn't put my finger on it.

Then last night, I read a quote that read something like:

“It has been said that we need just three things in life: Something to do, Something to look forward to and someone to love.”

It hit me! I have been missing something to look forward to!

When I was in college, I was excited for Makeup School. 

Then I was excited for my license.

Now I have my Cosmetician license and I feel at a stand still.

When I told my Dad this, he asked if I had written down my goals and I said I hadn't. 

So he told me I need to think of the biggest goals I could and that everything I have aspired to and worked towards I have achieved. The only thing that holds me back is my own small goals. 

Well, this just about blew my mind!! 

So last night I wrote them down.

Some of them seem way too crazy, but it's like my dad said, 

"You need to aim big because even if you don't hit the target, you'll still do something great." 

Or it's like that kind of cheesy saying in all the classrooms I've ever been in.

"Aim for the moon because even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

(I wish I had recorded my Dad because he is much more eloquent than I represented him!)

Here are some of my goals:

1. Work for a major modeling agency

2. Have my hair and makeup on a major magazine cover

3. Own a hair and makeup studio

4. Travel to every state

5. Run a 5K

6. Pay off my student loans

7. Do makeup for New York Fashion Week

8. Be a speaker at the IMAT's.

9. Own a home out right

10. Pay cash for a car

11. Be financially able to just work as a hair/MUA within the year 

12. Participate in a pageant.

Some of these are scary for me to share, but I think it is a good thing to put them out there, for accountability's sake!

I'd love to know some of your goals, too!

All my love, Morgan