Do you do make-up for weddings?

Indeed, I do.

How much is a wedding trial?

R350.

How much is wedding make-up?

If you mail me the date, location, time and number of bridesmaids, number of female members of the bride/groom’s family and number of flowergirls who require make-up ( as well as number of people who desire trials) I will reply with a quote.

What is a test shoot?

A test shoot is a shoot which is organized by a photographer/stylist/make-up artist in order to provide fresh images for the portfolios of all concerned members. A test shoot has no specific “client” other than the people involved in the shoot.

Why do you charge a test fee?

All of the equipment, from cameras to clothing, that might be involved in a shoot is expensive, all of it requires cleaning and insuring and re-packing. Everyone in a test-shoot scenario donates their time. So why do I charge a test fee for make-up?

Make-up, unlike the other material goods on a shoot is a consumable. I cannot re-use false eyelashes, I cannot scrape the model’s foundation back into the bottle, every time I sterilize my brushes (which is after every shoot) I damage them, and all of my make-up has a shelf-life – which for most foundations is between 12 and 24 months.

My kit has only top quality products which means that each foundation in my kit is work between R260 and R800, eye-liners each cost R140, heck, each time I use one of my MAC wet-wipes it’s R3-70 and false eyelashes cost between R100 and R500 – and unfortunately most of them have to be ordered from overseas.

If I were to suggest a test-shoot to a team, I would obviously not charge that team my test rate, and if one of the members from the team of my shoot (eg. The stylist) already had something similar in her book – I would obviously pay her test fee.

There are always exceptions to the rule – and negotiations can take place over e-mail.

Do you always charge a test fee?

No, sometimes I am presented with an amazing opportunity, with an amazing model, location, stylist/wardrobe and/or photographer , and in those circumstances I’m happy to pay myself my test fee and donate my time in order to be a part of those images.

I can’t afford your test fee – how else can I get my model painted beautifully?

Right, so the test fee looks like its out of your budget – next step, “drop and go” – I am based in Queen Victoria Street in the CBD, for a discounted rate models may be dropped off, have their hair and make-up done and then be collected for the shoot. If town is inconvenient for you, the next thing I’d suggest is making an appointment at MAC cosmetics – where one of their talented ladies will do a make-up(not hair) application for around R250. If you are an undiscovered photographer who has something amazing in mind send me an e-mail with all the details (model, location, idea, references and stylist/styling) and if it’s something awesome I want for my book I’ll consider paying my own test fee.

Do you do make-up for film/music videos/commercials?

I do indeed.

It’s an emergency – how do I get hold of you?

Email me: samantha.laura.kaye@gmail.com – it comes straight to my BlackBerry.

Where are you based?

I am based in Cape Town, in Queen Victoria Street in the CBD.