Schwarzkopf Professional’s Young Artistic Team spent two days at the Billie Currie salon in London, improving their precision cutting skills and learning how to be digital wizards with the help of some very special guests.

Day #1

The first day was spent with precision cutting champion, Ben Brown where the YAT’s learnt how to cut creatively with absolute accuracy and how to create the perfect balance and lines in a precision sculptured haircut.

Day #2

The second day was spent learning all things digital, from social media lessons to the best way to light and capture your work within a salon. LWPR were on hand to advise about all things PR and social media and then press photographer Matt Crosswick held the photography session with top tips needed for when shooting your work, followed by a practical session where the YAT’s put his tips into practice.

About Matt

Matt works across London covering current affairs, red carpet events and fashion. Matt showed the team the difference between good and bad photography and so the team were able to go away with examples and the skills needed to create a stunning social media page that really shows off their work.

Some Of Their Top Tips + Best Learnings

Hannah McGrath

‘I loved learning about how to get the best out of Instagram, capturing the right images that will really help get myself out there and my work seen. Another of my favourite things that day was working with Errol Douglas, he was so inspiring I’d love to one day do what he does and be able to accomplish what he has’.

Fabia 

‘The best thing that I learnt was that the lightening for your photos is so important, I honestly didn’t realise the huge difference it could make. From taking photos how I would normally, to then working alongside Matt, and learning how to manipulate the lightening to achieve the best result was incredible!’

Keely

‘I think what’s amazing is how you can use natural Iight to enhance your photos and so I’ve learnt not to use an iPhone camera flash. We also learnt the art of using LED lights and the benefits of using – equal lighting and no shadows! I also learnt to create a business page on Instagram, as this this allows you to promote pictures and advertise yourself’.

Misha 

‘Different lighting set ups can create focus on different elements and details in the hair. Lighting from the side can bring out different textures/tones, whereas lighting from the front evenly lights up a whole picture. Social media is a great way to build a snap-shot portfolio. Instagram is such a great and interactive platform to share your work with others in the industry. It’s also great for capturing the interest from potential new clients’.

Joe 

‘When working with Matt I learnt to always consider the models or objects positions and background as these two things can make a picture seem either messy or brilliant. I also learnt about the different editing tools and what ones to use to enhance my images and ones to stay clear of as they sometimes can make your images a lot worse’.

Chloe

‘I learnt the difference between dull lighting and good lighting, the best angle to take the picture and ways to do so. My top tips would be to make sure you have a plain background or that you have nothing going on in background. Use clean lightening e.g. led light or natural lighting and by taking different angles of the hair using the different lightening actually allows you to get different textures and effects’.

Errol Douglas’s Tips 

The day ended with an inspiring session with Fellowship Ambassador Errol Douglas MBE. Errol concluded the day with a real insight into the industry and his work with the Fellowship and how the YAT’s should all be involved as it offers so much to the industry. Errol also gave tips on how to get involved and work with admired hairdressers and how to get their hairdressing heroes to mentor them. There was even the promise that the YAT 2018/19 team could assist on Errol on his next shoot, so watch this space!

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