Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1298824
N ot a m e m b e r ? J o i n at a s so c iate d h a i rp rofe s sio n a ls .c o m 29 or color their hair. Hair editing is really just an exercise in styling and showing how diverse you can be in changing a model's look with simple style changes for the hair transitions. Since we're not always just doing a hair shoot, I try to keep my hair changes fast enough that we're not losing clock time, and we're getting as many shots as we can—with as many options as possible. You have to plan all these different styles ahead of time, but be ready to pivot and change direction based on how the model comes in—especially if you're not familiar with their hair. HOW DOES A HAIRSTYLIST GET INTO THE WORLD OF EDITORIAL HAIR? The overarching tip I give stylists is to be willing to volunteer to do free work. Find somebody in the industry, with paid gigs, and shadow them. But don't overwhelm them with questions. Show that you are willing to hustle and that you're willing to learn. Anticipate their every need. Sometimes just holding brushes or watching what the stylist is doing is so valuable. You learn on-set etiquette. You learn how quickly they need to work. You learn things in the salon like when you are blow-drying hair during a photo shoot, that blow-dry has to be efficient and perfectly camera-ready. You don't learn until you watch a couple of hairdressers go about it. I would be that assistant who paid attention to the way the stylist would work. I would get into a rhythm where all I did was hand, hand, hand, and the stylist was never asking. He was always just reaching out. I was good at anticipating his needs, so he kept asking me back. Golden Age Collection Hair: Ammon Carver Makeup: Deney Adam Styling: Jennifer Daniel Photographer: Richard Monsieurs You are important As a hairdresser, you can have a major impact. Don't take that lightly. You might be the only person who physically touches or talks to your clients. They come to you because they like you. They stay with you through marriages and divorces, through kids and graduations— all these special moments that they want to share with you. It's not because you're the best hairdresser. It's because they care about you; you do something and feed something in them. So, don't ever underestimate this path that you're on. You're doing something that really impacts the world—especially today.