I admit I have been a little bit sparse when it comes to posts recently. I have been really blessed to be super busy and sometimes it’s a challenge to get to the keyboard fast enough especially when my mind is bursting with things to share!

Next month is shaping up to be a rather full one and I couldn’t be more grateful. One never knows what the summer will bring,even if you normally have a packed schedule the rest of the year. Interestingly enough I have been receiving plenty of emails from other artists (some fairly seasoned) who want to assist this summer either to amp up their skills or to keep their wallet stuffed. If you had a chance to read my posts How to Be a Great Makeup Assistant part 1 and part 2 you know that there are plenty of tidbits that all artists can use even in their own freelance business.

Now before you get bored and think this is all about assisting… don’t worry it’s not… what I am getting at (very slowly, I know) is that it’s easy to reach a point where we think that certain jobs or tasks might be beneath our status. This is a reoccurring theme that I see often. It’s that curve of time when we get beyond the testing phase and step into the day rate phase. It’s that point where your resume’ is chock full of great gigs and your book is looking strong. Physically and mentally it’s that comfortable place where even though you are working hard you aren’t hustling to get the gig quite as hard as you did a couple of years ago…. And things feel good.

But this is also the danger zone of sorts, it’s when we think that if a rate is below what we normally charge it’s insulting, it’s when we don’t want to drive that extra hour for no mileage fee, or when the day is going to be too long for the monetary return so we turn it down. Alternatively, we take the job and complain the entire time. I confess I am not innocent… I too have been guilty in the past. For me it took stepping away from the set and starting an entirely new business to truly reignite just how passionate and how thankful I am for each and every booking.

Now, I am not saying that there are not instances where the rate is literally too low, or the financial return doesn’t match the task because we know that does happen. What I am saying is that currently there are thousands of artists looking for work and since most budgets aren’t what they were five to ten years ago to keep thriving you need to be open and look at the bigger picture. I know artists at the top level in the industry that still take jobs for free or assist other artists to keep furthering their careers. It’s that kind of mindset that keeps you in the flow.

Ask yourself these decision making questions:

Is the rate still within reason of your regular rate?
Will working with this client add something positive to your resume’?
Will this booking lead to more bookings with this client?

If the answer is no to all of these questions then you might be better off referring to another artist. If it’s yes to any… then accept the job and show up with a great attitude ready to face the day!

I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment here or your can post on my facebook page . And because my goal is to help makeup artists enhance their skills and business savvy, I would love it if you would share this with other artists you know.

Photo: Portfolio Image – Phyllis Lane