Welcoming Photoshoot Art Director Lea Ross
GlamCandy’s brand new Photoshoot Art Director, Lea Ross, talks about her career as a makeup artist and the opportunities her work will bring GlamCandy students.
With an extensive portfolio and experience working alongside high-end brands, her assistance in building student portfolios and offering opportunities to gain more professional experience is essential to their future success.
Lea’s career in the beauty industry began at GlamCandy, studying her HNC Fashion Makeup. Having been at the forefront of her class with her incredible talent and expertise, Lea was employed as an in-house MUA and tutor upon gaining her qualification.
In 2019 she moved to Manchester, where she worked as a beauty personal shopper and makeup artist at iconic department store Selfridges. Working across over 150 brands, Lea’s job was to curate personalised makeup services for her clients, offering a luxurious, lavish experience.
She was later hired as Lead Artist with cult cosmetics brand Pat McGrath Labs, training on a three day trip to London with the brands top 3 global makeup artists, soaking up the knowledge of their techniques, backstage tips and how they work.
Lea’s role was to lead makeup appointments and masterclasses on counter and set up training days for her team. She said, “It was really important for me to work alongside other regional lead artists to stay up to date on new cosmetics and industry knowledge, as well as having awareness of upcoming products to share with my team and clients.”
Now back in Edinburgh, Lea is excited about the new opportunities her job as Photoshoot Art Director at GlamCandy will bring both her and her students.
She said, “I’m in charge of the organisation and curation of photoshoots, as well as researching and networking UK brands, venues and locations across Scotland, and maybe even Manchester, to collaborate with.
“I will be able to take students on location across the UK where they can work with brands and venues to boost their portfolios. Instead of just working in a studio, this offers them the opportunity to work from mood boards and briefs and learn how to work in the industry.
“In turn, brands and venues will be able to use these photos for social media and even in magazines, which means our students are also being published.”
Lea will be designing a range of makeup photoshoots, with styles such as bridal, commercial, evening, fashion and editorial. Students will have the opportunity to design looks and photoshoots alongside Lea, utilising each area of knowledge they have gained whilst studying.
Lea’s experience in the industry is invaluable to students, having worked on a multitude of photoshoots, short films and fashion shows throughout her career. She said, “I also have the makeup artistry experience, an eye for what looks good and the ability to design looks according to the aesthetics of brands.
“The networking I have done and having the experience and knowledge of the working industry means I can easily guide my students.”
GlamCandy have recently introduced an HNC Photography course, expanding from a makeup college to a creative industries college. Lea hopes that through her Photoshoot Art Director role, both makeup and photography students can collaborate on photoshoots, allowing them to team up and work alongside other creatives.
She said, “Photography students will be able to work with the makeup students for commercial shoots. I will be contacting brands to organise lifestyle photoshoots, for example, with skincare and e-commerce.
“It also means that if student photographers want to go outwith the studio for landscape photography, they can join in and travel with us on the trips I will be arranging.”
If you are interested in applying to GlamCandy’s Makeup Artistry or Photography courses, click here.
