Creating Something Fresh: A Portfolio Journey

In the last ten years, the media industry has changed and we focus our energy on creating curated websites and social media accounts that (especially in the UK) are designed to be our portfolio and showcase our work. However, we at The Lost Creatives can see that changing and the physical portfolio book will make a comeback for those in makeup and photography in particular. There will always be a three-tier system in place when it comes to business and we have our goals and understand that we will need to go back to an earlier incarnation of how we worked.

We have been quietly discussing this in the background in our WhatsApp calls and Facebook messages as something we need to really push forward with hence our editorial plans. *Because we work primarily in-house (with thanks to creative director JamesC for his support) we can keep the team small and with the options available in the digital market it is possible for us to completely change our outlook to fit a new audience which is a major plus. We will maintain the websites as part of a larger marketing campaign but for meetings, we want to be able to show our potential clients or collaborators a book of work that will allow them to look at images which admittedly we have not done in many years and it is an exciting challenge to be in a position to create something fresh.

For this we do have a plan of action in place and have started working out exactly what we want and which magazines we will shoot for, there will be two portfolios of work focusing on key areas of the work we do and keeping them distinct and separate.

As our primary focus with any shoots will be marketing we will be starting with our fashion and beauty folio which will be geared toward tear sheets and covers (we have done some digging and can make this happen fairly easily), with a film/TV book being secondary and scripts being chosen to shoot for festivals to start and of course an array of Commercial projects that will include a showreel of the work done.

Something to consider as we move into a whole new arena of work in the coming months will be how to stand out in the market as an artist.

Using Editorials and Tears To Market The Lost Concept

Creative frustration is starting to kick in for many of us in the arts and while we are all on hold it is a good time to plan for the future and marketing your business once the restrictions are lifted and we can submit fresh work to the various online and print publications out there. For us, we do have several concepts that are part of a larger-scale and ultimately long-term project around The Lost concept.

Our goals are split into two areas:

1. Photo Stories and editorials.

2. Single image and portrait.

There are magazines that we are looking at with very specific designs and concepts, thankfully we have talked to a few of them and they have opened up the single image option (tears and covers) that will be integral to our marketing over the coming months along with our partners.

For us its the single image option that is the biggest challenge as we want that image as a standalone to tell a story or at least inspire the imagination which is the intellectual challenge part that we are eager to get into, none more so that our creative director JamesC who has been instrumental in much of the marketing planning underway and has offered insight based on his experience of the industry both good and bad.

Our style of work is going to change dramatically and we will have a more refined and focused look that is a different creative stream than what we would do for our private sector and commercial clients. Conceptually The Lost Concept is a mixture of styles and will strangely, benefit from the current lockdown as it has forced us to reassess how we look at images, models and who we will book for shoots especially for our in house projects.

We fully intend to keep the team small on shoots and make the maximum use of the locations around our current base with an emphasis on simplicity of look touching on the more creative with darker touches brought into play.

From a marketing stance, we are enjoying the plans being put into place and our budget is going to reflect this across our 3 main sites of JameC mua, Lost Project, and of course Lost Creatives.

Digital Versus Print Editorials and Tears

As the economic and social climate changes the digital magazine market is going to be where we find our fix of fashion and beauty news for the ease and convenience of access through our mobiles and other devices which for makeup artists, photographers and creative staff (designers, stylists and so on) will change to some degree how we all work and require multi-tasking. For the lost team, that is not a big hassle as we already work small and aim high with the work we are doing, the goals in place and will be back to work as soon as possible tackling the list of magazines we have decided to shoot for.

Focusing your mind on goals is key to finding a path and putting your business into a new arena. With editorial for the lost team, it is a secondary consideration to our real goals of TV production but we do have a clear sense of the value of a tear sheet or cover with a good magazine that can be promoted which is why we focus on digital over print.

The big advantage of digital is overall social media reach, an image and a link to a website that can be shared and has more value (to us) because it becomes simpler to promote and has exponential reach with either paid postings on Facebook or Instagram or if you have a good audience and SEO through your website (ideally you have all three in place).

We have of course mapped out a plan of action and thankfully there are one-stop-shop sites that offer a creative outlet that is managed: you can find the submission terms, costs, and image requirements in one place with the option to handle multiple submissions. A major plus and reduces the amount of time you have to spend on research.

*See our previous blog on Luminar Photo Editing for a good option for editing images on a budget.

Our creative director JamesC makeup is itching to get started again and has a book full of concepts and ideas ready to roll and we are happy to see he is keeping busy not just with the blogs but also with his creative work.

A more focused plan and set of goals are being worked with our overseas contacts (primarily South Asia) for casting and of course production which we will talk about in another blog very soon.

Montarem Mens Grooming

In the world of male grooming, the landscape has changed dramatically with more and more people taking the care of their appearance, working in environments that require HD video calling and of course the current landscape of news presenting and on-camera appearances which is why brands like Montarem are important and offer a solution for the modern man.

The world has and still is in a state of fluctuation and more and more people are working from home, video calling and the media industry is working in the background to find new scripts and concepts for the day we can all start filming again and it will see a rise in the need for products tailored to men and offering options that will work across mediums from a laptop call to the screens of our TV’s. This is where Montarem will come into play offering a good option for solo workers, actors and more to create a more polished look when required.

While Montarem was started as a personal solution and will continue in this way, it is easy to see where the crossover to other areas of life are, simplifying the day to day and giving confidence back to the general populous, they have opened the door to the commercial, fashion and of course media world with their easy to use products that are solution-based.

“TV presenters take note if a makeup artist is unavailable for your show/newscast then Montarem will be able to help with their BB cream and concealer offering a way to ensure you are camera ready.” JamesC professional makeup artist.

To learn more about the range see:

Montarem Website (sign up for the newsletter).

Montarem Facebook.

Montarem Instagram.

Mykitco In Times of Reflection

Image courtesy of Mykitco Instagram

With an international reputation for their brushes, Mykitco has taken the savvy and generous step of supporting artists through social media and working with their clients both professional and consumer, to increase the use of the classic face chart. Spending time on Instagram TV designing and sketching with a showcase of the work of their viewers which has become a hit for the artistic scene.

Co-founder James Molloy is considered one of the elites of the makeup world with good reason and this step not only helps the business but shows how important it is to support and nurture talent with mentoring them through what is a difficult time for freelancers.

While primarily known for their brushes they are artist-led and look for solutions to the most common issues that are faced: storing your kit, packing your brushes being on-set with essential items and carrying a working kit that is both practical and stylish, which is at its heart what people look for as makeup staff. The logo also adds to the sense of artistic continuity and community, the badges are covetable with the added bonus of being a nod to your professional knowledge showing that you have your craft in mind and want the best in your working kit and life.

As a staple of many professional kits, it’s not uncommon to see Mykitco brushes and accessories popping up in pro kits backstage at the shows through to TV shows, a marker of how far they have come and the regard they are given as a brand and how they have become synonymous with a certain standard. Watching their channels and updates also has become integral to the rise of the company.

To learn more about the range or to purchase see:

Mykitco Website.

Mykitco Instagram.

Mykitco Facebook.

Mykitco Twitter.

Delilahs New Fluid Foundation

In the realm of professional makeup, things are changing rapidly. We are seeing a completely new landscape opening up and with a sense of serendipity, delilah makeup has launched the new Alibi Liquid Foundation, a long-wearing, sweatproof and waterproof full coverage foundation that is going to set the pro-market in the UK on its head when it comes to areas such as bridal, fashion and digital media such as film and TV. Over the next few months, we will see a change in how we work and the savvy of the clientele in the makeup fields and services like bridal and fashion makeup along with work in TV and film will start up again which in turn will mean that products, as well as skills, will be viewed with a careful eye and it is the new delilah foundation that will shine through in the top end of the services.

With 8 shades, they are customizable and can be mixed to suit your needs, full coverage and long-wearing which on a shoot will be a must to reduce touch up times and of course for the wedding sector will help maintain the look for the day adding a level of confidence in your artistic skills.

Delilah as a British brand offers a pro-grade product with a beautiful aesthetic that will sit as well on a dressing table as it does on the makeup stations of a studio shoot and can be used as an addon or as part of a more brand-centric working kit. *The new Full Coverage Foundation brush has all the markers of a professional artist tool and fits perfectly within the lines of the range giving you an added dimension of cohesion and a sense of the linear to your brushes.

To learn more about the range or to purchase see:

delilah makeup website.

delilah makeup Instagram.

delilah makeup Facebook.

delilah makeup Twitter.

delilah makeup Youtube.

Bahoma Hand Sanatizer A Professional View

Many professionals know that a good hand sanitizer can make a difference when working with the public. The team at Bahoma understands this and in the current climate, in particular, have come to the table with their range taking priority at this time. It is always a good idea to carry sanitizer when working and if you are planning to go back to the salon, beauty therapy or makeup work in particular where you will be working with the public and your hands its a good idea to have this available. *The Lavender Viel is one to be noted as lavender is often used for its calming properties, in a situation where you are working closely with patients/clients you may want to consider this when purchasing for your staff or own use.

As we move forward in the profession the welfare of our clients Must be front and center of our thinking and Bahoma is offering not just the peace of mind of a hand sanitizer but a touch of perfume to add aromatically to the process.

For those who will be returning to freelance work in the bridal/media/fashion sector, hand sanitizer should be an immediate item in your kit when packing for a job even more so now and from a purely aesthetic stance, Bahoma will look good, smell good and perform giving your clientele extra peace of mind as you work.

With three sizes available:

• 500ml (£19-99)

• 250ml (£12-99)

• 75ml (£4-99)

And a total of 4 scents; lavender veil, ocean spa, original, and pomelo grapefruit there is something to suit your tastes and give you a little sense of relief in troubling times.

To learn more of for quick purchases see:

Bahoma Website.

Bahoma Amazon.

The Changing Face of The Lost Business

While we are restricting our movements and only going out when we absolutely need to, we decided to look at the future and what will become of business as time goes on. It is fairly positive and we can see already changes to the market that will be making massive waves to how we view the media world.

There will key aspects of the current climate we will be maintaining such as having smaller shoots and focusing on story rather than just an image which we have talked about before but never seemed to find the time, from a photographic stance it really is interesting working out how we can do this and still have a cohesive narrative.

On a film and TV side, our favorite writers are working from home happily and have taken it under advisement that we want thrillers and horror that can and should be creatable on a smaller budget to fit with the requirements of the current market, will offer us quick turn around for shoots and of course minimal cast and crew requirements which will be a challenge in and of itself that we as a team we look forward to. The Lost Concept is something we are immensely proud of and can see the potential to take our initial idea of moving The Lost Boys and The Lost Girls as a story for stills and to turn this into a storied TV series with a dark edge built around individual stories and characters.

In the interim, we are working on designs, talking to our remote teams as best we can, naturally, we are very worried about our Indian and Nepal contacts and wish them the best at this time of full lockdown in their countries. However, everyone is in good spirits and has been positive so far.

The future is something we cannot solidly control or predict but we do know that we will continue our work for as long as we can. We will finish this by asking that our readers stay safe and well, keep positive and we will all be back to work soon and entertaining the world.

Delilah Cosmetics a Professional Overview

We will be keeping this particular blog shorter than normal but we do want to talk about the Delilah range from a professional stance. Looking at the brand’s heritage and of course the overall professional aspect of the line as a pro makeup artist with ties to the bridal/salon industry in our past and potentially our future. Founded and defining themselves as a much needed British brand in the beauty market it is really easy to see the direction that the brand is taking, the founders all have the kind of credentials that would with just a cursory glance let you see that they are serious about the business and passionate about the cosmetics (quote from The Lost Stories):

“With the passion of a makeup artist (Rupert Kingston), the savvy of a beauty buyer (Hannah Nicholson) and the artistic eye of a photographer (Juliet White), the Delilah brand has some the best and brightest across the industry coming together to create a line that optimizes British Beauty and it is easily seen when you look to the details and consistency of the imaging that is both classic and simple showcasing the beauty and the products without drama.”

In the world of spa’s, salons and bridal artists, retail can be a major plus to your work and income and the Delilah team have taken that into account and offer a retail option (click here for details). A sensible approach to the retail side and allowing artists and salons to offer a range that is designed by some of the top creators in the business, which is immediately visible in the imaging, creative direction and above all the beauty of the makeup itself.

The cosmetics themselves are of high quality and speak to luxury, which when you are working from a salon perspective is a major plus and allows you to incentivize your staff, create a new customer base and if you are a bridal salon give your customers a cohesive experience and heritage brand from the UK that is designed and built to suit a more sedate beauty for the busy woman. *An interesting subpoint is they do have a youtube channel that offers up tricks and techniques based around the line.

A definite range on our watch list for potential future business endeavors, Delilah Cosmetics is a UK brand worthy of note from both a pro and a consumer stance. To learn more about the company and their range see:

Delilah Cosmetics Website.

Delilah Cosmetics Instagram.

Delilah Cosmetics Facebook.

Delilah Cosmetics Twitter.

Delilah Cosmetics Youtube.

*Images courtesy of Delilah Cosmetics website and Facebook.

Grand Finale Powders by Lord and Berry

Fresh from fashion week the team at Lord and Berry have been testing the Gran Finale loose powders are designed to be a multipurpose powder that will complete your look and offer a professional finish with minimal fuss.

A savvy powder, Gran Finale comes in three shades and makes a great minimalist addition to a working kit for people who want to keep the weight of a working kit down and for shows where there will be multiple skin tones and a restricted amount of space to lay out your makeup kit.

• TRANSLUCENT: it is a white-toned powder meant for just about every skin tone because it turns invisible when applied to the skin.

• BANANA: it is a yellow-toned powder which works its magic to offset any redness, illuminate the skin, neutralizes dark under-eye circles and set makeup – and the best part is that it works on any skin tone.

• JUST PEACH: it is a peach-toned powder designed to give brightness to a dull complexion, to neutralize blue tones and set makeup. It works on any skin tone.

A skin blurring powder which minimizes pores is a soft-focus finish and is universally suitable to work across mediums: film/TV, print, live event and special occasion thanks to the professionally driven team who test the products and produce makeup that suits not just the consumer but the professional needs of artists. *A pro discount is available click here for details.

To learn more about Lord and Berry and their range see:

Lord and Berry UK Website.

Lord and Berry UK Instagram.

Lord and Berry UK Twitter.

Lord and Berry UK Facebook.