Hey everybody, welcome to Get to Know Your Wedding Pro®. My name is Reid with Best Made Videos. We are a wedding videography company based out of West Seattle, Washington. And today I'm joined by Kara Lewis of Inspired Radiance Beauty. We connected at the Seattle Wedding Show last week. You were there with Amanda, who is another podcast guest from the past. And I said, hey, I really need someone to come on with the holidays and people are, you know, trying to get back to work and you stepped up and I'm so thankful and it means a lot. And I do say that the people that take the time to come on here, it is really appreciated and that speaks a lot to just, you know people's drive to want to do. Good. So thank you so much. Why don't you introduce yourself, tell us who you are and what you do.
Hi Reid, thanks for having me. My name is Kara Lewis and I am a hair and makeup artist with my company Inspired Radiance Beauty. And I have a passion for doing hair and makeup for all different kinds of events. And I do work with Amanda, with Amanda Howse photography. And so I have been doing a lot of high school senior curls and I also do a wedding hair and makeup on the side as well. So.
And what do, what do you prefer? What's your, you know, where do you prefer to work? Kind of in what realm?
You know, it, there are two completely different worlds because with weddings it's a lot of, you know more escalated hairstyles and makeup looks and so there's more updos and fancy and elegant things involved. Whereas with like a high school senior shoot, it's a lot more like natural, but like your best looking version of how you look every day. So it's really two completely different things and I just like making people feel good. So it's, I like all of it.
Well, and you have to imagine there's kind of heightened tension, whether it's a wedding or a like a high school senior that, you know, there's still a lot of tension there to do it right. Absolutely.
The true willingness, especially nowadays with doing high school senior sessions. It's kind of like your pretrial for your wedding day. It's a whole production. It's, you know, typically, and the industry that I work in with the high school seniors, it's two hours of hair and makeup. There's multiple outfit changes when you're on shoot and you know, it is a really big deal and you get an entire spread and it's, you know, similar with a wedding. Those are photos that you have for the rest of your life in either scenario. So yeah, it's, it's gotten pretty elaborate, but it's a lot of fun to do. You get to feel like a celebrity for a day and that's pretty awesome.
Well, and absolutely. And I mean, I think I joked with the man there or someone that was on the podcast that, you know, my mom had my high school for those in, in our, until she sold our childhood home for years and years of every time I came home. And you'd always see that. And there really is, I don't know, it's like the first big, I had no idea. I mean I went through that whole thing too. I guess I didn't realize how big it was. And I think it's even bigger than that. I mean I would just graduated high school and no four. I mean it's a lot more, I mean I think it's gotten even bigger, right?
Oh yeah, it's definitely gotten bigger. And that's funny cause I graduated in Oh four too and it was definitely not as upscale or you know, as big of a deal then. And same like I, those high school senior pictures are, they get put in everything and they're all over the place and they're sent to every relative you have. And it is a really big deal. It's something that you keep for forever.
Yeah, minor, minor, just terrible. I mean I've always had like questionable, like trash and tastes and I mean I have my, my Jersey on right now, but you know like they were just so bad and like I had these like ear pier scenes and like a bandana. I mean they were really bad. But I think, I think, I can't remember who he had, but someone certainly did their best to try to take good photos and make it look good.
You know, you just have to kind of own yourself where you're at. I've got two young kids, I have a, well they're not knocking on anymore. Actually. My son is 10 and my daughter is seven. And they both definitely have their own sense of fashion that they've had since they understood they could put clothes on themselves. And they've always really encouraged that because I think whether it's jewelry or accessories or your clothing, like that is a very vivid expression of who you are, where you're at in your life. And I think that's awesome to be able to kind of have that outlet to do that. Even if you look back and completely regret it. That's exactly who you were at that time. And that's cool.
No, yeah, my mom would come home from work and I would always have a costume that I wanted for daycare the next day. So she would come home, you know, like six o'clock from work and that's like, I want to be a pirate tomorrow or I want to be, I don't know, whenever it was. And obviously it's, it's maintained till today. So I think anytime I've ever made is because of that. So that's awesome. So you're based down South in payoff. I mean, obviously you travel all over. How did you kind of get involved in this whole world and kind of take me back as far as we need to to kind of get to the roots of it?
Yeah, so I've been doing hair and makeup professionally for about five years now, but I started doing, my friends is hair and makeup for school dances and stuff when I was in high school. And I have been obsessed with makeup for as long as I can remember ever since I could beg my mom to buy me the, you know, wet and wild blue eye shadow and hot pink Barbie lipstick like that. Just, I knew that I was a girly girl that wanted to put on my makeup before I went and budding with my brother's friends. So I I've been doing hair and makeup for pretty much always. It's just been part of who I am and I'm really grateful that I got the opportunity to I kind of got in with a salon that did specifically onsite weddings and that gave me a lot of really good experience.
And so I just kind of went with it on my own from there. And a lot of my technique and talent is just self-taught and then a lot of research and I've had a lot of friends that have let me just take over their faces and heads and, you know, it's just something that I'm truly passionate about, my love. And I really feel, especially a soft spot for girls that say, well, I just don't know how to do it, so I don't wear makeup, you know? And for me, I, I just kind of have a knack for it. And so I love showing girls that, you know, you see your face a very specific way every day and I get to show you a different version that I can envision that you couldn't see on yourself. And so it's, yeah, I've, I've loved this my whole life and I'm so grateful that I get to do it for a job today. It's literally a dream come true for me.
Do you win you know, you're more self taught. Do you find that that's more freeing? Just kind of being able to, I guess, you know, take bits and pieces. I mean I know people that have gone through like a specific school or I don't know, like maybe you get more kind of, like I say, I'm like if I went to film school and like you're a little bit more taught that where you were kind of able to pick and choose as you go. Talk about kind of just developing that kind of palette that you have to work.
Yeah, a little bit. I mean, I feel like I do get to have a lot of creative expression just kind of going with my gut and you know, I do kind of have a formula that I've established for myself of, you know, like a process of how I do things or specific products that I like or I know work well for a wide variety of people. And that's the hardest part of being specifically a makeup artist is, you know, a lot of people can do amazing things on their own makeup. But to translate that to somebody else's different facial features, different ice shapes, different skin textures, I mean it's really, there's an art to that. And I don't know, I just enjoy kind of assessing it as I go. And I have picked up some good things along the way. But yeah, I, I'm actually pretty grateful that I've just been able to kind of glean information from a bunch of different places and create my own technique to do it.
Is are I know that sometimes, you know, trying to make people, you know, the makeup and you want to kind of enhance what's there and not that you want them to look, you know, like when, when the bride or whatever walks in and you want everyone to know who it is still. And I, I, you know, I've done weddings where you look back and you're like, wow, that's like not even the same person. Like how is it, you know, kind of balancing that for you. And how do you, is that like education you work with your clients about or how do you kind of balance up?
I do, you know I, one of my mottos is that I want you to be the best version of you, but I want you to see yourself in the mirror when you look at yourself. Because I feel like if you're wanting to change everything up and that's what you're going for, or if it's Halloween, like that's great and we can do that. But especially on your wedding day, you want to feel the best version of yourself. And so I, you know, I start out by asking clients if they specific requests, but I will let them know as I'm going, what I plan on doing and you know, how I'm going to enhance what they come with. And same with hairstyles, you know, they can show me pictures and saying, well I want this huge braid and I have to be saying, you know, okay, well we can do something similar and work with what you have. There's probably, you know, seven extensions in that model's hair to get have like, but you know, I tried to adjust everything and customize it to specifically the client that I'm working on with what they have because everybody comes with different material. And the fun for me is it's a puzzle and I get to figure out how to give them what they want with what they're presenting me with.
With wedding specifically, you know, as hair and makeup, you guys are, you know, we talk about this on the podcast, you know, you're there bright and early, you know, you're kind of really setting the day, you know, the mood and you're really in with all of them. You're in the bride's face or you know, the bridesmaids or whoever is there. And I mean, how do you kind of approach that and do you enjoy kind of setting that tone and being a part of that and kind of being in that world in terms of like the getting ready and it's really an important part of the day.
Absolutely. you know, I'm a people person and I love kind of helping to navigate the emotional feeling in the room. And you know, I kind of look at it as I'm the bartender of the beauty world. Like my job is to set people at ease and you know, weddings are so crazy and they're so busy and there's so much to be done and even morning of theirs ended up being so many decisions that need to be made. And so for me, I really take it as an opportunity to just create this very safe, relaxing and enjoyable environment. As much as I have in my control to be able to, you know, inspire trust in them with me that, you know, I'm going to take good care of them. They're going to get the results that they want and that this is probably the most, there'll be sitting down all day. So really enjoy that. Relax. a lot of my brides, I'll give a quick shoulder massage before I start their hair just to kind of help them really take a second to just breathe, be present in the moment. Cause the day goes by so fast. And to be able to have that moment to just really cherish the quiet, being with your closest people that you love and just taking that all in, I really love being able to do that.
Was it, you know, when you were starting to get into hair and makeup and you, you know, you're starting to get into doing, you know, higher budget, you know, even like the high school stuff. But just, you know, a lot of money involved and weddings and stuff. I mean, was it intimidating going into that world? I mean, it's different than, you know, obviously doing it like in high school or, or for friends. Like what was it like for you kind of just starting to do it professionally like that?
Oh yeah, the stakes definitely go up when you understand how much, you know, financially is going into this event and it is any bench, you know. And for me it was a little bit nerve wracking at first, but I think it's just one of those things that the more you do it, the more comfortable you become with the environment. And I also gained a lot more trust and confidence in my own abilities when I was able to, you know, really recognize that I belong here. I can do what I ate, can, you know, say that I can do and I can deliver what you're asking. And you know, people are very satisfied. And one of my signature things that I do is as soon as I finish with, you know, the hair, the makeup, and I usually encourage them not to look at them individually, to wait until it's all that I'm, because one always looks more overtime than the other until you see them together.
And I always make a point to say, you know, let me know if you want any changes because any changes you want can be made. We're not dying your hair, we're not cutting your hair. None of this is permanent and we can adjust anything. So, you know, giving them that opportunity to speak up and you know that I won't take it personally. I'm a professional. I just want them to be thrilled. I think that also helps a lot and it gives me some room to be able to adjust and make sure that they're really happy, especially when they're paying top dollar for this. I want everyone to love the experience and love the results.
Do you find in, and I kind of asked this with any vendor type just things that you wish people ask more about or things that you, you may, you find yourself like edgy, you know, answering the same questions or wishing people knew more. When it comes to hair and makeup, like what kinds of things do you feel like you're constantly kind of educating clients and, and you wish more people knew?
Hmm. That's a really interesting question. You know, it's a lot of people don't understand specifically on weddings that are really good night's sleep the day before you're going to be in front of cameras. You know, makeup can only do so much and I can do some correction, but drinking lots of water and having lots of sleep, even though oftentimes there's, you know, a rehearsal dinner and things, it's really important and I wish that I could get that word out there to really just try and take that moment to rest cause there's only so much that I could do when it gets to a certain point. But also I think just kind of coming prepared with an idea of what you want or at least what you don't want. And you know, part of my job is to advise and I will have people sit in my chair that say, I have no idea. I do whatever you want. So then I get to, you know, ask very specific questions and really kind of narrowed down where their normal feel is and go with that. They, I definitely a sleep and hydration are super important.
That's funny. Yeah. You show up and yeah, they've been up since two in the morning or something. And yeah, you need the, you need at that point have a fresh palette to work on this for sure. What's the process where I let look like kind of working with you and, and having you involved in, you know, and you could talk through it as a wedding, but then, you know, obviously other events and photo shoots. What does the process like? How do you like to work with your clients? You know, how involved are you in kind of that whole, just start to finish?
Yeah. So with bride specifically, I usually like to do a pre-session with them, which is a separate appointment before their wedding day so that we can have kind of a trial run of everything and I'll have them bring all of their accessories, nail jewelry. You know, I usually have them wear a white shirt so they can really get a feel for what they want and we can kind of troubleshoot everything so that way they feel more comfortable morning of if they, you know, have slept on it. And you know, as time has gone by, they decided they want changes or if they absolutely love it, then they already know what their look is going to be like. And it's something they don't have to be anxious about our stress about it all because they already know that they love the look. I'm with bridesmaids. I, like I said, I start with that consultation of asking them, you know, what they want, what they're wearing.
And for me it's just all an assessment process and then going through, you know, piece by piece and putting on the different layers of makeup because makeup, there's a lot of products that you put on even for a natural look to naturally enhance somebody's features. It does take a certain art form and it does take products and it takes good quality products and techniques to do that. And along with hair, you know a common misconception is that freshly washed hair is actually not the way to go because it's so slippery and fresh. It doesn't want to hold styles. So a couple of days, you know, in is a lot better cause it will tend to hold the styles better. But yeah, I with high school seniors it's, it's kind of actually the same process as just going through when asking what they want or what they don't want going through their outfit so I can kind of pick what colors are going to best, flatter each look as a cohesive look. And that's, that's a lot of fun part of my job. I enjoy doing that.
Yeah. The whole hair washing thing and the multiple that, I never knew any of that world until I got married. I mean it's definitely like that, you know, you wash it and you get a cut, you know, you can get a couple of days out of the bed and it looks better and then you have to be to wash it. It can't be too, too greasy or too oily of you know, guys, it's like I just shower everyday if I'm thinking about it that way. It's definitely on the world that we got. You know, doing this kind of as long as you have now, have you seen lots of, you know, trends with, you know, makeup styles over the last six years or different? What, what's more important now? Or are people worrying about one thing or another? You know, what is it been like kind of just seeing everything for the last couple of years like you have?
Oh yeah. The beauty world is constantly in flux and there's always different things that are trending and you know, a lot of things that you know, disappear for a few years. And then cycle back and you know, so big eyebrows have been a thing, a long time, very prominent block eyebrows were huge and eyebrows seem to be a big one. That changed a lot. But even just from like really dramatic smokey eyes to right now everything is pretty natural. But with like a lot of like drama, like lashes because lash extensions are so big right now. A lot of girls want very natural face makeup, but they really want their eyes to pop. So it's, it's this balance of figuring out, you know, what is between like a very dark like evening look as opposed to a day time look. But photo appropriate because also if your makeup is going to be in photos, it's different than the natural makeup you would wear during the day time because you know, cameras, the lighting will change, things will look differently.
And so for me it's been really fun to work you know, with high school seniors and with Amanda. Because I get to see the results afterwards, oftentimes as well, so that I know how to adjust things like a natural lip color on camera can actually be, you know, somewhat bold in person to where I have to remind the girls like, I promise this is going to look nude and it does. So that's, you know, one of the reasons why it helps me to be able to kind of coach them and also, you know, instill that trust while we're chatting and I'm, you know, getting them ready of, I do know what I'm talking about. You know, you're going to look amazing. Just roll with it. Even if it's not quite what you expected or what you would wear to the mall. This is going to look fabulous.
No, it's funny you brought up like the eyelash thing. I had to do this video, I guess it was like two weeks ago and this she does like you have the, I dunno the glue one other than the eyelash, the engines and all that. But I mean this one we came in and it was like a two and a half hour thing and she got like the eyelashes, but then there was like glitter eyelashes and I mean it was the damn this thing I've ever seen in life. We think that, you know, I said, well, how often? Like, Oh, you got to come in like every, I can't remember what they said, like four to six weeks if somebody man, like two and a half hours every fourth. I'm like, that's a huge like commitment, you know? And this girl, she's just like worked at Boeing. Like she just wanted, you know, it wasn't like it was for anything. I mean it was just like day to day, whatever. And I was like, wow, like this is, that was a lot, that's a big commitment, you know,
It is that the eyelash extension trend is huge right now. And maybe because I'm an iron rubber and I sleep on my face, it just is never going to work for me. They're a little bit finicky. But yeah, I want to say it is every four to six weeks because it's based on the lash growth cycle. So everybody's eyelashes, as they grow out, they will naturally fall out and then obviously the extension will go with it, which is why a lot of times you know what before girls to go to get in there fill, you'll end up with gaps. And so there they are kind of high maintenance. But at the same time, if you're a more low maintenance makeup person and you have no problems dedicating that kind of time to getting them done, it makes a huge difference to be able to just wake up. You already look like you've got your face together because your eyes are usually the first thing that people, you know will notice on your face, either your eyes or your smile. So to have your lashes already dark and lengthen it immediately looks more put together.
Oh, it was at the end of this thing. And I mean, I'm not like an I person and so like I'm like filming this and it's like, you know, really an immediate kind of it, it's a lot, you know, I don't know if I could have someone kind of do that and it's intense. I was thinking it. Do you know about where, you know, where you work with, you know, younger, you know, high school and, and kind of going into college and then also the brides. I mean, do you feel like, cause they're obviously gonna age up, you know, to like marry in age. Do you feel like you get a sense of some of those trends and stuff? Just dealing with both, you know, maybe a little bit older bride but then like kind of younger going up. Like do you see kind of both sides of that? Like what's going to be, you know, hip and another couple of years or whatever?
Yeah, I mean it's, it's really interesting too, you know, working with some more mature Brian's who tend to be a little bit more conservative and they're really, a lot of them are more focused on their skin. Looking really great and making sure that everything looks very youthful and fresh. You don't want anything to look older Taiki or crepey. Whereas when you're working with high school girls, like their skin is the best it's probably ever going to be. And so they really want like, you know, their eyes and their lips. And so it's it is really funny to see kind of the differences, you know, even between like the age groups. But with high school seniors it can be a little more intimidating too because a lot of them coming into this, they're a lot more into fashion because they have so many resources available to them via social media platforms.
And so a lot of them are already really well versed in specific things that they like and want. And it was a little intimidating for me coming into this, cause, you know, I'm 34, so I'm kind of in the middle there, but it was like I was nervous at one point that some of them may be asking me to do something really trendy that I didn't know how to do yet. So that's part of, for me, I have to continue myself education and continue to watch, you know, keep up on things on Instagram and YouTube and try and stay with what's present for girls right now. And it, it changes a lot. There's, there's a lot of information to take in.
Well, and that's it. I mean, it's, I think that's relevant kind of for any vendor type where, I mean, for the most part, you know, the marrying age is going to be, I mean, there's a range, but [inaudible] but generally it's kind of within the emo, a younger, at least like the couples that we work with. And, you know, I, we don't get any younger and so it's trying to like stay hip with that. I mean, you know, like with DJs and photographers and you, we, you know, we all show up and like, you know, you're going to be like 55 shooting weddings, right? You gotta be a little bit more, you can't be a 55 year old, you know, you gotta be a little more hip and, and kind of what's, what's happening, you know?
Right. Yeah, no, that's absolutely true. And one of the funny things about working with Amanda is she's off to a bake and she's constantly telling me of all of these things that these girls are trending on. And so she'll buy us like, you know what's popular in jewelry and we've got like water bottles and like all of these different things that I'm like, I would never have known that was him, but we heard it from one of our girls. It does at times. It makes me feel really old. And then it also makes me feel like, Oh yeah, I know what's going on here.
No, it's insane. I had a client in her, like her middle school daughter was in and I think she was like, you know, seventh grade or when I'm like, we're talking. And I was like, this is like a totally different world. Like it's really weird to like to be, did feel really old, you know? And I know that like early thirties is that old, but to be talking to kids and be like, you know, I just feel like we're on like a toy, different planet, you know?
Oh 100% I mean, like I said, my son is 10 and he's super into gaming and so all of these fortnight dances that he's constantly trying to teach me to do and then makes fun of me when I can't do them. And I'm just like, I don't understand anything you guys are talking about right now.
There were nurses, we were we were talking and I was like, Oh. I said, well, what? Like what? Like what's the big hip bands right now? Like, what's going on? And she's like, God, well, you know, we really like, like fall out boy and panic at the disco. And I'm like, Holy crap. Like that's like when I like, you know, this is really weird because they like a lot of these bands like went away and like blink when the two is popular again. And so then we were going to this show, we were going to go see panic at the disco and I told my buddy, I said, I think there's going to be a lot of really young kids here. And like we were like by far like the oldest group over there. This is insane. But like, I don't know, we're, we're off on a tangible, yeah, it was like crazy. I was like, this is really odd to be talking with this. You know, she was like, you probably like your son's age, like 10 or 11, and they'd be like, we were listening to like the same bands. It's very odd.
Maybe it's just because parents are really awesome cause like I love panic in the disco and so my kids listened to it with me, so maybe we're just doing our job. Maybe that's what's happening.
Yeah. So talk to me about kind of your home life and what do you do when you're not, you know, doing, you know, makeup and, and, and what do you do with your kids and for fun and talking about that?
Yeah, so I am a single mom with two kids and you know, I, when I'm not doing the hair and makeup gigs I hold a couple other different part time jobs. I clean houses on the side and I'm also in assistant for the CEO of a plumbing company. So I just kind of am the Jack of all trades and I do a little bit of everything and you know, I really enjoy hanging out with my friends and when I don't have my kids, I keep pretty busy and I have a pretty close circle of people that I hang out with often. And you know, I enjoy being outside I music, I'm constantly listening to music and having solo dance parties in my house cause I'm a total nerd like that. And you know, I just, I, this is kind of a new transition for me as far as singlehood goes. So I'm still just kind of trying to figure out what I like to do. And you know, in my free time, just figuring out who I am and it's, it's been a very interesting journey, but I'm, I'm really enjoying life as it is right now. And you have two boys, a 10 year old son, seven year old daughter, so one of each.
So you get to, you'll get to a part of the little bit of the beauty knowledge on, on the,
I don't know how the Fortnite works with that, but you can, you know. Oh yeah. You know, she is, Oh man, she is her mother's daughter. She is such a girly girl. I taught her at five years old to paint her own nails because I got tired of her constantly asking me to do it every single day cause she always wanted to change the color. So, but yeah, she's already into makeup and you know, with age appropriate, I have to try and kind of reign it in and keep her young as long as I can. But she definitely has a fascination with it and my son is really interested in like special effects makeup and stuff like that. So we'll watch, you know, TV shows where they do prosthetic makeups and things like that. I, he thinks that's really cool. So I try to just kind of encourage whatever they want to do and if they're interested in it or we look into it. So, yeah.
No, I actually grew up in a very tiny Podunk town in Idaho called McCall and I moved to [inaudible] area. I met my kids' dad was from here. And so I've been in Washington for about 11 years now and I love it. I don't see myself going anywhere anytime soon. Love this area.
What was that transition like to come and to come kind of in the, you know, I mean [inaudible] sized salad, but it's still kind of a, you know, just a
Bigger area by far then obviously the middle of Idaho. Yeah, absolutely. So it's, you know, it's actually really convenient for me cause I was raised very much, you know, in the country and like the closest really big city was about two hours away. And so I actually really appreciate having a target and a Walmart in about a five minute drive from my house. But my house is kind of set back in a kind of quiet neighborhood settings. So it feels like I can get the best of both worlds. I've got a pretty big backyard that actually has like a little Creek that runs through it. So I feel kind of secluded and quiet and I have my space in my, you know, moments where I can just isolate and disappear. But then, you know, everything that I could possibly want convenience wise is about five minutes away. So it's perfect for me. I love the juxtaposition of both talking about just kind of either
Joining this you know, the wedding community and you know obviously, you know, working with Amanda and helping out the wedding show and you know, you jump on this podcast and do things. I mean, talking about kind of building that web and that networking and is that obviously how you get a lot of your work, but how do you focus on kind of expanding that out and doing new things like that and meeting new people?
Yeah. You know, I really just pretty much at this point have been word of mouth and that's how I like it because since it is just me, my sister is amazing with makeup as well. So when I'm able to, you know, book bigger gigs where there's more people and there's a smaller time constraint, I'll pull her in and we get to work together, which is super fun. But, you know, really, I really enjoy getting to pick and choose. And so I am fairly picky with when I work and how I work so that I have a lot of time to be with my kids when I have them. But yeah, I really do. Getting to do word of mouth is it kind of gives me the opportunity to have a little bit more quality weddings as opposed to just blasting myself and then taking whatever I can get. So I get to be a little bit cheesy and I'm really grateful for that.
Wha what kinds of clients do you find that you like to work with and the people that are attracted to you and your work and then people obviously that you want to work with because it does go both ways, you know?
Yeah, absolutely. You know, I have probably the most appealing to me is when there's like a family dynamic or like, you know, especially if it's a bride, like if her best friend or her sister is there and there's good communication and everybody's really relaxed and you know, it's a lot harder to work on people who are, you know, very uptight and anxious and you know, the, especially if there's like a family dynamic offer, an overbearing family member who's encroaching into things. So I, I kind of tend to feel out for more relaxed vibes and you know, like I said, it is part of my job to help create that relaxed and comfortable environment as well. So I have, I have a pretty good energy picker as far as people go. I can tell pretty quickly what they're, we're going to be able to work well together or not right away.
What was it like kind of some of those early weddings and making that transition? You know, like, I mean I look back at like, you know, some of our other early ones and you know, it's like you don't want to think about it sometimes, but you got to learn from, I mean, what was it like the, any fun stories kind of making that, you know, the star then? Any memorable ones or anything like that?
Oh man. I remember the very first big wedding that I did and I took pictures at the precession for this bright or her hair and she absolutely loved it and I gave her what she wanted, but I just remember going back and looking at that picture and being like, Oh my God, did I do that? It's just, you know, you can, you're your own worst critic. And so overly critiquing everything was really intense. And then actually getting to the venue everybody was still sleeping from the night before when I showed up with my team. And so we actually had to walk through the Airbnb. They were staying until wake up the wedding party to try to get them downstairs and in the chairs so that we could stay on time and somehow miraculously we managed to finish like literally on the dot of our end time. But I will never forget very timidly but slightly irritatedly walking through room to room in this house and just being like, okay it's time you need to get up now please.
No it's funny and you go back cause it is kind of some of those early weddings in either you're trying to, you don't know if like were they just crazy or was it because I was newer and cheaper and you know we, you know you're like we want one of our early ones and like it's like this hotel room and like through she's beer bottles like everywhere and you're like well maybe if they weren't because they weren't paying, you know as much or you don't really know who you're like this is like insane that there's just like, there's so much booze here and like anybody is getting up right now. You know, it's really easy. Just kind of look back at that. It's just a, it's always interesting to remember kind of where you came from and then where you're going, you know?
Oh absolutely. Yeah. Those, those first ones when you're just kind of trying to get started and so you know, you're lowballing yourself a little bit just to kind of try and build that base and then understanding, you know, the difference in quality of you do get what you paid for. And so being able to understand your own worth and what you bring to the industry and you know, really having confidence in your ability to produce a product that they, you feel, you know, you're able to price at a different level. You know, I think people do appreciate that too because in some ways if you're underselling yourself, people are going to be like, okay, wait a minute. Why are they so inexpensive? Like what? What is that experience going to be like if it costs so little? And that was something I had to learn the hard way to have, you know, really getting over that insecurity of being like, Oh, people want to pay that number and just going for it. And the people that are, you know, there's going to be people that won't bat an eye at it. And those are the people that, you know, you ended up having great experiences with both directions.
Yeah. That's the hardest thing in, in people starting out in like pricing and stuff and like, yeah, the more, you know and obviously budgets and everything, but like yeah, the more discussion that's around like the price or like what can we get or what can we do versus like everything else of like, well what services are you going to provide or what could I expect from this? Or what, you know, like the more that it's focused on that. Yeah. It really is like, I don't know, it's just not an enjoyable, and I think that people remember that. Like, I remember even like older weddings that I booked where it was a lot of concern about price and then like, you know, you get their day up and you, you know, you remember that, right? And you remember like that, that's what they were so focused on and not necessarily like, how do you want to work or what should I do? Or what is this going to make it the best? You know what I mean?
Yeah, absolutely. I think the quality of experience has a lot to do with it also because people, I mean, they may not remember you specifically or your name, but they will remember how they felt during that period of time in their life. And especially with a wedding when you know, you hope you only have one, you know, that's something that you, you want to hang on to. And that's a moment that, you know, we get to kind of create that experience and be part of that memory for them. And I think that's, that's really invaluable and that's priceless.
How do you kind of keep things fresh and new? And do you, you know, you had said that, you know, kind of your whole career, you pick up tips and tricks, but how do you keep yourself, you know, things new and then how do you keep yourself kinda educated with like if there's new products or new techniques or new, I mean, cause your world changes a lot in terms of like what, what people, what's kind of like the tools that are at your disposal, you know?
Yeah, absolutely. Lots of trips to support on Ulta. I do a lot of hands on play and you know, some of it, that's one of my favorite parts of my job is justifying, Oh well, you know, this is new and everyone's talking about it. So I better pick it up and see what all the hype is about. So that's a big part of my job that I absolutely love. But I think part of it too for me is really just trying to keep that, you know, in some levels that this is my business mentality separate. Because one of my favorite things about doing makeup and doing hair is, like I said earlier, you know, fashion is a huge expression of who you are and so for me, if I'm constantly just grinding, then I lose the passion and the love that I have for this, which is what keeps me so interested and so focused.
And I think that's one of the things that helps keep me unique too is that drive to really love what I do. And so for me to be able to not overbook myself to that point where it is just a daily grind, this is just my job. But to really keep this mind compassion, which is one of the reasons why I've been named my company inspired gradients, I want to stay inspired and so that means I am constantly playing with the products. I am constantly watching new videos. I'm trying to keep up with what's trending and what people are talking about and then playing with that for myself because I'm of the opinion if you're not having fun when you're doing your makeup, you're doing it wrong. You need to put it down, walk away, and then come back when you're ready to play again.
No, I tell I absolutely you're in, it's so hard. Like even today I was like Facebook videographer group. It's like a, you know, not just local people, but they got, you know, this guy's like this, say like next year, like I'm totally burned out. Like I'm done. Like I don't want to do this anymore. You know? And it's so like disheartening, you know, cause you want, you do want people to be really happy. And then the burnout factor, I mean is really real. I think with weddings and stuff and I think it is like you're doing so important that, you know, pick the people that you want to work with and obviously that you think you're going to have a good experience with because obviously you want them to have the best experience or else you wouldn't be doing that.
Yeah, absolutely. I think that's a big part of something that we can bring to the table is to keep it lighthearted and to keep it fun and to keep it focused on them. You know, that this isn't just, you know, one of the many weddings that you're getting to that day. You know, in my, in my experience, I've done three or four weddings at a time because our timeframe is different as opposed to like a videographer where you're there for the day or a photographer where, you know, this is like a one day, 10 hour job. You know, there've been times where, for me it was, you know, I think the most I did it one day was five weddings and that was way too many, definitely burnt out by the end. But to be able to keep it a very personal and you know, kind of focused in unique experience and to stay present in that and to really, you know, enjoy what you're doing as well as helping them enjoy the experience. I think that's really important and it makes a big difference.
Perfect. you know, I think you've really killed it. I think this has been really good. I, I appreciate you coming on kind of, you know, last minute and basically me just being like, Hey, you need to do this. And you say, okay, that sounds good, but I do think it speaks a lot, you know, just for willingness to, to want to try new things. Is there anything I haven't asked you about? Anything else you wanted to share before I let you go? And I know that kind of puts you on the spot, but if there is anything I want to make sure we give you an opportunity. Oh little.
I would just say when you're choosing your hair and makeup for any event, you get your wedding or you know, a fancy dinner or you know, your high school pictures, whatever it is, just you know, go in open-minded and just really try to stay present and enjoy the experience and pick somebody that you feel like you can connect with. Cause that will be a lot easier to determine, you know, to get the results that you want, that there'll be able to work with you and talk with you and kind of see your vision.
Great. Perfect. So good. If people want to learn more about you and see your work and where would you have them check out to get in touch with you?
Yeah, I'm on Instagram under Inspired Radiance Beauty and you can go check out. I upload my videos or my before and after pictures every once in a while when I do them. I don't post a super lot on there because like I said, I'm word of mouth, but if you want to go check out my work, that's where you can find me.
Perfect. Well thanks again for coming on. If you are wedding vendor and you're interested in coming on the podcast, you can go to www.bestmadevideos.com/podcastguest and that'll, it's a nice little easy questionnaire to kind of get you in the system and we can try and schedule something. And thank you again for taking the time on a Monday. I hope we survive this snowpocalypse that's come in or not coming in and we're not really sure. But my wife was very nervous today about driving to work. So we'll see.
I think a lot of people were, the roads were dead. It was actually a pretty great day to drive to work. So
Well, she, she yeah. How do you go to the doctor this afternoon? Then? She said other roads were clear. I said, okay. Thank God we're, we're good. So let's just make it home in one piece. Thank you again. This has been another episode of Get to Know Your Wedding Pro®. Check back next week for another wedding vendor interview. Thanks so much.