Tamara Tott
- KaGe
- May 21
- 10 min read
Welcome to the Spring Edition of One of London's Top Portrait Photography Blogs.
Inspiration is everywhere. I truly believe that you don't have to look far and wide to find inspiration. As a portrait photographer, I'm always in awe of other people's work, but it's rare that I come across a photographer whose work inspires me to get behind the camera and try something new. This interview is special to me because, as I was aimlessly scrolling through instagram one day, I came across an image that stopped me in my tracks. I thought "wow, that's beautiful what a shot, I want my beauty images to have an edge like this!" Now, I don't specialise in beauty photography, but I enjoy it and want to do more of it, in fact my aim is to land beauty campaigns with Fenty beauty, Charlotte Tilbury and Rimmel London.
When I saw this particular image, I checked out the profile of the person behind it and discovered that she was a professional hair and makeup artist. There was no photographer listed in her bio, which left me confused. Surely, she hadn't taken this stunning image and done the models makeup ? The more I scrolled through her profile, the more I appreciated her style. It was editorial, something i've always aspired to create. In fact, I ended up doing my own shoot inspired by her work, and i'll share what I learned from her further down in the article.
In the creative industry, it's essential to build relationships not just with photographers, but also with hair and makeup artists, fashion stylists, lighting assistants, studio owners and many others. This isn't just an interview with a makeup artist, this an interview with a person who wears many hats, a true jack of all trades. For those of you struggling to find your place in the creative world, I hope this inspires you.
BREAKING THE MOLD: From Law Degree to Creative Career
Meet Tamara Tott, an award-winning, professional hair and makeup artist with years of experience in the industry. Not only does she have a degree in law, but she also possesses a unique eye for creativity. Although she doesn't claim to be a professional photographer, her photography has been featured in Vogue and her work is incredible.
Tamara Tott: I’ve always been 50% academic and 50% creative. From a very young age, I loved dancing, sewing, knitting, making clothes, and drawing. However, my family always pressured me to pursue a “serious job,” leaving me with only two choices: law or economics, despite my desire to study art or something more creative. At the time, law seemed like the better option because I believed it could contribute more to the public good. I’ve always tried to do the right thing and stand by what’s just. So, I went for it. Unfortunately, I quickly fell out of love with it. By the time I submitted my final work, I was so fed up that I didn’t even bother picking up my documents until the end of the summer. Instead, I flew to Ibiza and spent the entire summer there. Four years at university did leave an impact, though, particularly in terms of signing documents. I always make sure to read everything thoroughly. But beyond that, I’m pretty much useless when it comes to law or politics. A law degree seems to impress people… for some reason. But honestly, considering the path my life is taking now, I wish I had studied art or marketing instead.
Kaptured by Kage: Has makeup been something you've always dreamed about doing ?
Tamara Tott: I never thought I would become a makeup artist. I started working when I was 15, promoting goods in supermarkets—I was always good at communicating with people. When I enrolled in law school, I genuinely believed I would become a lawyer. Dancing, however, had always been my passion. When I turned 18, I started working as a go-go dancer. In the early 2000s, the club scene was booming worldwide, and dancers were always in demand. Once I realised I could dance and get paid for it, that was it.
Dancing took me all over the world. I performed in Turkey, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Egypt—it truly opened my eyes. But it was when I came to Ibiza on a contract that my mind was blown by the theatrical aspect of it all. Until Ibiza, we made our own costumes and did our own makeup. But in Ibiza, there were huge teams of makeup artists, hairstylists, and designers transforming us into different characters every night. This is where my love for makeup truly began. When it was time to move on from dancing, makeup was one of the paths I seriously considered. After finishing makeup school, I knew I would never look back. To be honest, until the last four years, I was sort of floating through my makeup career. I was busy, and that felt like enough.
Then, someone asked me a simple question: Where do you want to be in five years? That question changed everything. I started thinking, imagining, and immersing myself in motivational and business content online. It hit me, I could navigate my life instead of just floating through it. The journey definitely surprised me. I didn’t plan most of it—I just took it one step at a time without a grand vision. But now, I have one.
BEAUTY MUST HAVES
Kaptured by Kage: Which beauty product is your ultimate must-have, the one that's always been in your kit and you refuse to get rid of ?
Tamara Tott: Uhhh, that’s a tough one… But if I have to choose just one, it would be the Inglot Gel Liner 77. It’s been a staple in my kit for years, and I haven’t found anything that compares. If you took it away, I’d feel like I was working without hands.
Kaptured by Kage: What's your go-to favourite look ?
Tamara Tott: My favourite look is naturally glowing skin with lightly emphasized features makeup that enhances your youthful beauty and makes you look stunning, but leaves people wondering what exactly it is
Kaptured by Kage: Do you still get nervous before doing a client’s hair or makeup, or is it second nature now?
Tamara Tott: Most of the time, it’s now second nature. I’m always excited to create looks for my models and clients. I always tell my students: master your skill to the point where nothing phases you anymore. You should be in control of it, not the other way around.
A TRUE INSPIRATION
Kaptured by Kage: This image was inspired by your work. When I first viewed your portfolio, I learned that capturing a beauty photoshoot with great makeup alone isn't enough. I needed my images to have an editorial flair, and I learned that from Tamara's images. Each model in her photos looked as though they were stepping onto red carpet events. Think BAFTAS's or a luxurious dinner party for a charity event. evening at a brand campaign. While my previous beauty photos were strong. It didn't tell a real story in my opinion. I realised that every beauty shoot from now on needs to feature a statement piece of jewellery, and the model should feel like they're heading somewhere special.
I decided to visit Lovisa Jewellery in Stratford WestfieLd and spent ages picking the perfect piece for the shoot. I found this stunning necklace that I personally loved and could imagine myself wearing. (i'm going to be wearing it lol) For this shoot, I wanted the model to radiate richness, especially with her dark skin, which is why I chose a brown backdrop that complemented her skin tone.
There were so many wonderful images from this session, but ultimately Tamara's work was catalyst that sparked my inspiration. From now on, my beauty images will always be infused with the intention of capturing someone who's about to attend a fashionable event. So, thank you Tamara!
ACHIEVEMENTS
Kaptured by Kage: Can you share an image that made you think, Wow, yeah i've made it! ?
What's the story behind it ?
Tamara Tott: This image came about from experimenting with the flash and a beauty dish. Until then, I'd been creating very commercial beauty looks, but I knew I wanted to take a more editorial approach. I booked Erika for her otherworldly features, and we ended up recording this look for my YouTube channel right after Schiaparelli’s catwalk with Pat McGrath and her iconic glass skin, which inspired this look. We shot several images from the series, and I absolutely love them all, but this one made it to PhotoVogue, which made me very happy.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Kaptured by Kage: Your photography skills are incredible, and I love the videos you create! The way the makeup, jewelry, outfits, and hair all come together so seamlessly is my cup of tea. Have you ever considered stepping into creative direction for a magazine, or is it something you've already done?
Tamara Tott: Oh wow, I never thought of it like that… It’s like I’m taking things one step at a time all over again. After Covid, I started learning photography, mainly because it was difficult to collaborate with teams, and honestly, my last pre-Covid tests felt worse than when I first started my makeup journey. The industry seemed to be shifting, and photographers were stepping back for some reason. Every time I approached a photographer to test, I was asked if I had a model, hairstylist, and mood board ready. That never used to happen. Photographers would always take full creative charge of their projects. But after a few shoots where I didn’t get the results I wanted, I decided it was time to pick up the camera myself. It started with quick makeup shots on set once the model was ready. Then, I began inviting friends over, doing makeovers, and taking their photos. From there, it snowballed. I started creating my own mood boards, curating Pinterest boards of images I loved, learning about lighting and gear, and just testing, testing, testing! Honestly, I did this to build my makeup portfolio so I could book the kinds of makeup jobs I wanted. I’m still learning every day, and there’s so much I want to improve, both in my photography and my overall vision. At this point, the idea of directing a full shoot feels daunting, but once I've mastered photography, maybe creative direction will be the next logical step… who knows. Right now, I’m focused on building a stunning makeup portfolio to book the makeup jobs I truly want to do.
STAYING ON TOP OF YOUR CREATIVE PROJECTS
Kaptured by Kage: The creative industry can feel glamorous yet isolating. Have you ever felt lonely on this journey, and how do you stay motivated?
Tamara Tott: Indeed, more and more so. When I used to work with teams and meet a lot of creatives on test shoots, it felt less lonely. Now that I handle most of the production myself, I end up only meeting models. Of course, on set, I still love meeting new teams! But yes, to answer your question, it can often feel that way. To stay motivated, I make sure to meet up with my friends more often, do the things I love, spend time outside with my dogs and my boyfriend, and track my progress. Seeing my work elevate with every shoot is the best motivation. Watching my hard work pay off in the form of the bookings I’ve always dreamed of makes it all worth it. And on top of that, I now have full control over my own schedule—another amazing perk. So, everything has its pluses and minuses.
Kaptured by Kage: For Those Who Struggle with Organisation: Many creatives struggle with prioritisation and time management. What strategies or habits have helped you stay on top of everything?
Tamara Tott: Oh, I’m really good at this! I always have my planner, and I write down both the big and small things I need and want to do. The best approach is to make a list of everything that needs to be done, then organize them in order of priority. Once something is done, I strike it off. It’s so satisfying to see the progress! I do this every week. Yearly planners are fantastic for this, and there are also so many motivational planners out there that help you break down your goals into smaller tasks and track them along the way.
Spring is all about new beginnings. What’s something exciting you’re looking forward to this year ?
LEGACY
Kaptured by Kage: What are you looking forward to this year ?
Tamara Tott: There are so many things I’m looking forward to this year! I have an exciting skincare project in the works that I’m in the process of realizing. The Cannes Festival is always an event I’m thrilled about, and we have a girls’ trip to Bordeaux planned this month, which I can’t wait for. Oh, and I’ve also enrolled in a video school starting today! I’m so excited to elevate my skills even further. So yes, lots of exciting things happening for me this year!
Kaptured by Kage: You’ve already built an incredible legacy as a creative, but on a personal level, what do you want to be remembered for both by your family and by strangers?
Tamara Tott: That’s so kind of you. I never thought of my work in that way… I just try to do everything I can to bring myself closer to the goals I’ve set. If it feels like a legacy from the outside, that’s amazing. If I take a moment to reflect, I’d like to show that everything is possible if you put in the time and effort, never give up, and keep pushing forward. I never thought I’d become a photographer or videographer, but the lack of results in the tests I was producing made me realize that I needed to take matters into my own hands. You never know what’s around the corner or how close you are to your goal, even if it doesn’t feel like it. You only fail if you stop.
TO CONCLUDE
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