How to Collaborate with Makeup Artists: A Photographer’s Guide to Successful Creative Partnerships

Vlad Thiriaux applying makeup on Yne @ Models Office during a shoot by the Belgian seaside. Since this shoot was bridal-editorial themed, the onlookers at the beach believed them to be newlyweds and kept bestowing their congratulations…

Spotlight on Creative Talent

Every makeup artist I’ve collaborated with has been delightful and has brought something uniquely positive to the table. I can’t explain this phenomenon, but I know it to be true after working with well over a dozen makeup artists worldwide. Starting out as a fashion photographer, I was surprised by just how much a skilled makeup artist contributes — not just to the final look of the images, but also to the creative flow and overall success of the shoot. Often the first point of contact with the talent, a great MUA (makeup artist) becomes the glue that holds the team together.

When I first started out, I followed all the usual advice: discuss lighting setups, align creative visions, and decide between soft vs. hard light ahead of time. But in practice, most of the makeup artists I work with don’t ask about lighting — and they don’t need to. They intuitively understand whether we’re aiming for dewy glow or matte finish, luxury glam or natural lifestyle. They think in terms of mood, finish, and aesthetic impact — not technical settings.

In this post, I’ll spotlight a few of the makeup artists I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with. I’ll share how each collaboration influenced my approach as a photographer, and offer tips for other creatives looking to build strong, inspiring partnerships with makeup artists.

Vlad Thiriaux: Experimental High-Fashion Makeup & Avant-Garde Editorial Looks

Working with Vlad Thiriaux has transformed the way I shoot editorial fashion photography. After a session with Vlad, my studio floor is usually covered in candle wax, feathers, glitter, flower, hair, and more hair — and I wouldn’t have it any other way. His approach to makeup is intuitive and inventive, treating materials as if they were ritual objects. He was trained as a makeup artist at House of Orange and is also a gifted hair stylist, making handmade wigs and sculptural headpieces. Vlad creates full looks — not just makeup, but entire beauty concepts including hair and props.

Early in our collaboration, I had to recalibrate my process. I was used to makeup artists staying within the mood board’s limits, but Vlad’s creative process is more instinctive. He’s often struck by what I can only call a creative thunderbolt — his ideas don’t always fit neatly into references, as they rarely have a precedent. Vlad’s work consists of truly original creations. Instead of determining lighting in advance, I now light the scene in response to the visual language Vlad introduces. It’s a more organic, responsive approach — and it’s led to some of my most original work.

As a fashion photographer, I can be a perfectionist, often pre-planning everything down to the last light source. But working with Vlad has taught me to trust my instincts. Our collaborations feel more like visual improvisations — and that freedom has significantly enriched my creative voice and aesthetic signature.

In many ways, this is my dream collaboration. Vlad doesn’t only show up for shoots. We are in continuous communication with each other, sending each other references and inspiration of beauty and fashion concepts we could adapt in our own style. In this way, we are creating our own visual vocabulary, to the point that Vlad can say—this idea for graphic smudged makeup would go really well with that painting with light technique you did last time.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to have this kind of working relationship, and it’s not something that will develop when you first enter the world of fashion photography—but once it does, it opens the door not only to greater experimentation with hair and makeup, but to reimagining your own visual style.

Vanessa Standhartinger: From Clean Beauty to Editorial Grunge

Vanessa Standhartinger adjusting hair on Lilli @ Tempo Models, during an editorial shoot in Vienna.

Vanessa Standhartinger, in contrast, quietly executes your vision exactly as it’s presented on the mood board—with the one caveat that she probably understands it better than you do. I’ve never had to give her a single prompt. The models always come out looking flawless, perfectly styled and camera-ready, as if we had done a two-day creative briefing rather than just a quick DM exchange to confirm the date and location.

This is because Vanessa understands fashion. She’s worked across editorial and commercial projects and regularly grooms musicians and VIP clients for their world tours. She intuitively gets the concept at first glance. I met her when another makeup artist had to cancel—and honestly, that’s how I’ve met many of the collaborators I now trust most. To this day, I never panic when a makeup artist cancels; it always opens the door to discovering new talent.

What I appreciate about Vanessa’s makeup style is that it looks both timeless and expensive. That’s because it is expensive. She uses high-end, luxury cosmetic brands that genuinely make a difference. I can see it in the retouching stage, and I can see it in the final image quality. Especially for beauty editorials—where you’re often asked to list the products used—it’s a huge asset to include names like Dior, Chanel, or Pat McGrath’s Mothership mega palette.

This brings me to an important point: whenever I work with a new makeup artist on a personal or test shoot, I offer to pay a small kit fee (usually 30–50€) to help cover product or travel expenses. Many creatives will waive this when they see the value the images bring to their portfolio—but offering something upfront shows respect for their time and materials. It also communicates that you’re serious about the collaboration. Often, these test shoots can lead to longer-term partnerships on commercial work.

While Vanessa is an expert in clean, elegant, high fashion and beauty looks, she also knows how to inject creativity into her aesthetic. The first time we worked together, we collaborated on a shoot with male models, adding a touch of gender fluidity. Vanessa executed the bold editorial makeup looks flawlessly—striking the perfect balance between creative expression and campaign-level polish.

Sarah Lumea: High-End Editorial Glamour

Sarah Lumea putting the finishing touches on twin models Syl & Tybe @ No Babes Agency, for a fashion editorial published in Kaltblut Magazine.

Among the most talented makeup artists I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with is Sarah Lumea, a true standout in the world of editorial and fashion makeup. Her style is bold, colorful, and refined—bridging classic beauty and avant-garde experimentation with effortless grace. Trained at Make Up For Ever Academy, Sarah brings a meticulous eye to her craft, layering unexpected tones of lip gloss and eye shadow that subtly shift as they catch the light. Her looks shimmer like the iridescent feathers of a hummingbird basking in the sun—alive, precise, and multidimensional.

Sarah’s work carries an unmistakable signature: a kind of eye-catching understatement that commands attention without overpowering the frame. Her makeup can be editorially daring, yet it also integrates seamlessly when a more restrained or commercial aesthetic is needed. I first met Sarah on a fashion editorial shoot with twin models, after another MUA had to cancel, and I immediately recognized the quality of her technique and vision. From that day, I knew she would be someone I’d want to collaborate with again on future beauty and fashion photography projects.

What struck me most was how much depth her work revealed upon closer inspection. When I thought the model was camera-ready, Sarah was still mid-process—fine-tuning hues, perfecting layers, and calibrating tones for balance under the lights. Only later, while retouching close-ups, did I fully appreciate the intricacy of her technique: the layering, the tonal interplay, the luminosity that gives her makeup its quiet complexity. These subtle refinements make her artistry stand out, even when you can’t quite name what makes the image feel elevated.

This brings me to another essential point: just as a makeup artist isn’t expected to know the nuanced difference between the quality of light produced by a silver beauty dish versus a large white umbrella, a photographer may not fully grasp the intricacies that go into modern fashion and editorial makeup. Techniques evolve constantly—think of Pat McGrath’s porcelain-skin look for SS24—and when you collaborate with professionals who stay attuned to emerging trends, you grow alongside the industry itself. Working with artists like Sarah allows you to expand your visual vocabulary and remain creatively adaptive in a field where innovation never stops.

With Sarah, the makeup itself becomes the star of the show. As a photographer, that means planning the right concept to emphasize her craftsmanship. When the focus of a shoot leans toward wardrobe or setting, it’s tempting to default to a quick, clean “no-makeup” makeup look. But when you collaborate with someone who has a distinct visual identity as a makeup artist, the responsibility shifts—you’re not just documenting their work, but actively showcasing their artistry. Every element—styling, lighting, and composition—should serve the makeup, bringing out its depth and texture through the lens. It’s in this dialogue between artist and photographer that truly exceptional editorial beauty images are born.

Another important point to underscore is that all three of the makeup artists mentioned here are also trained in professional hairstyling—a combination that’s rarer than you might think. Some makeup artists can handle hair but don’t love it; others are genuinely skilled and enjoy the full creative process. When you find a collaborator who excels at both makeup and hair, consider yourself lucky. It’s the kind of synergy that instantly elevates the quality and cohesion of your images—so yes, it might just be worth building a small shrine to the fashion gods of hair & makeup!

Mara Martinu: Elegant Fashion Makeup with a Futuristic Twist

Mara Martinu checking her work on Theresa @ Reload Models, for our Western-inspired editorial shot in Vienna.

Mara Martinu has the rare ability to be a creative chameleon. She adapts her style seamlessly to each project brief—delivering looks that are polished, commercial, and subtly distinctive when the concept calls for it. The foundation of our collaboration is clear, open communication. Before each shoot, Mara takes the time to ask thoughtful questions about the mood, the styling, and the visual atmosphere I want to achieve—whether the skin should be dewy or matte, glowing or sculpted. That attention to dialogue is what makes her work so consistently aligned with a photographer’s vision.

This is what true versatility looks like. Together, we’ve created everything from conceptual fashion editorials and lookbook photography to a mock-up campaign shoot for a luxury accessory brand. Because Mara collaborates with a wide range of photographers and art directors, she’s developed an intuitive flexibility that allows her to shift effortlessly between styles, adapting to different lighting setups, aesthetics, and creative goals.

What’s more, Mara is not only a makeup artist—she’s also a talented photographer and creative director in her own right. That dual perspective enriches our working relationship. In her personal projects, her style is boldly original—often futuristic, graphic, and experimental. Yet when she joins a team as a makeup artist, she brings that same creative intelligence while fully respecting the artistic direction of the shoot. I especially loved her suggestion to use white eyelashes for our Western-themed editorial—an unexpected detail that added a signature “Mara” touch and tied the styling together beautifully, elevating the entire look from conventional to editorial.

In short, finding the right makeup artist collaboration isn’t only about matching aesthetic styles. A strong creative partner is often someone whose portfolio looks nothing like yours at first glance. Many artists are eager to expand their range, or they have the technical skill to execute your vision precisely—even if their social media presence doesn’t reflect it. I’ve had wonderful results working with makeup artists who had only a handful of portfolio shoots or a modest following online, yet whose craftsmanship was immediately evident. If someone is well-trained and professional, trust that they know what they’re doing.

Laora Casic: Graphic, Bold, and Artistically Fearless

Laora Casic perfecting a bold lip on Imani @ Models Office for a test shoot in the studio.

This brings me to Laora Casic—a bold emerging makeup artist whose work instantly stood out when I first discovered her portfolio. At the time, she was a recent graduate of MUD Studio, with only a few looks to show—but her final project stopped me in my tracks. The model’s face was almost entirely painted, a surreal fusion that felt like Picasso meets street art. That fearless, graphic energy told me I was looking at someone with genuine creative vision.

We soon collaborated on our first editorial photoshoot in Ghent, working with a transgender model and renting a studio for an afternoon to experiment and build something striking from the ground up. Laora’s approach was refreshingly professional—she came prepared with face charts and visual references, which she shared in advance so we could align on tone, composition, and final output. When the makeup look itself functions as a painting rather than a cosmetic enhancement, this kind of pre-production clarity is essential. It allows both photographer and artist to commit to a shared vision with confidence.

Working with Laora also reminded me of an often-overlooked factor in beauty and editorial photography: time management. Some makeup artists can work at lightning speed, while others—especially those crafting complex, layered designs—require hours to realize a single look. Knowing this ahead of time helps you plan the shoot realistically: how many looks you can do, how much time to dedicate per model, and what level of finish you want to achieve. In many cases, fewer looks executed with care and intention will have a much greater long-term impact.

Looking back, this graphic painted look we created together still holds up today. It stands as a reminder that devoting energy to a single, powerful concept can often yield more memorable results than spreading your efforts thin across multiple setups. In both art and photography, sometimes less truly is more.

Collaborating with makeup artists is one of the most rewarding parts of being an editorial photographer—it’s where vision, craft, and intuition meet. Every creative partnership deepens your understanding of light, texture, and emotion, and the right collaboration can completely transform the outcome of a shoot. Whether you’re building your portfolio, planning a beauty or fashion photoshoot in Ghent, or simply looking to explore new creative ground, investing in these relationships is worth every bit of time and care. If you’re a makeup artist, model, or designer in Belgium or beyond who resonates with this approach, I’d love to hear from you—let’s connect and create something striking together.