Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Camille Roark. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Camille, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

I actually prefer freelancing. I find I have more control over my content that way. I do work with an amazing team though! These are individuals I met along my journey. I met some mutual friends, a few at Fashion week, and others have reached out to me for collaborations on social media. I truly value and admire all of their talents so much, and vice verse.

Camille, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into this industry on accident. I’m forever that crafty/Pinterest mom. I enjoy the arts and aesthetically pleasing things, but I’m a tom boy at heart. I didn’t even think about makeup until my early 20’s. Even then, in my mind, makeup was something reserved for special occasions. Then one day, I had an important event to attend and no makeup artist. In my panic to find someone to do my makeup, a friend of mine challenged me to do my own, which was enough to spark an interest and passion in makeup.

Now, 10 years later, I really value helping models and photographers prepare for shoots. Moreso, helping my everyday freelance clients look and FEEL like models. Outside of my models, my target clients are the late bloomers. These are the people I would consider incredibly introverted and somewhat camera shy, much like myself.

I believe most people don’t really know what to make of introverts. They assume we are shy, lack confidence, or we’re antisocial…none of those things are true. I’ve found that introverts are often misunderstood, mistyped, and basically lack trust/faith in the photographer to present them in a manner that they’re happy showing off to the world. I’m proud to offer a service that helps people confidently put their best face forward.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Trust the professionals—They know what’s best when it comes to makeup”. Working in a service based industry, I had to really unlearn that. I realize that as professionals, we were taught the technicalities of makeup application, proper placement, what SHOULD go where and why, but I’ve found that“should” is a very dangerous and limiting word. Early in my makeup career, I’m embarrassed to say I had client’s make specific requests for what they wanted on their face and I advised against it because I had this very black and white idea of a what we should and shouldn’t do when it came to makeup.

I once had a client snap at me and tell me that she “was paying me to do a job, and she didn’t care how I (or anyone else) thinks it will turn out”, she wanted me to give her the service she paid for, “as requested.” She was right. This client knew what she liked. Not only had I been completely dismissive, not listening to her, but I felt like I could identify her needs better than she could. I hadn’t considered how insulting it was to suggest that this person’s beauty preference was not only wrong, but ugly. This was my first time meeting this client, they’d been in their skin a long time. This person spent many years learning to love the skin they were in. How presumptuous of me to insinuate that they conform to someone else’s standard of beauty. Now I say, “Trust your gut.” You know what you like and what works for you, don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The last workshop I took, the instructor opened the course with a quote from “The common denominator of success” author, Albert EN Gray, “The secret of success of every man who has ever been successful — lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don’t like to do.” I like to think back on that quote when I battle with imposter syndrome and procrastination.

I also love “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. I am old school, but I think the book is timeless. I encourage all entrepreneurs to read it.

In the book, Robert Kiyosaki recounts his interview abroad with a young journalist that showed potential. The interviewer was a fan of his work, and in their discussion she mentioned she aspired to be a best-selling author as well.

She’s an amazing author, but can’t seem to catch a break. Kiyosaki suggests the journalist take a business marketing course and she immediately took offense. She’s a writer, “not some sleezy salesperson” she says in disgust.

Then he points to his book on the corner of the table, near some notes she’d jotted down. “You see this?”, he said. In her notes, she’d written his name and next to it, he deliberately pointed, “This says ‘best SELLING author’, it does not say best writing author” in fact, he says, he’s terrible at writing…

Bottom line is, you don’t have to be the best at what you do, LORD KNOWS there are SO MANY BETTER Mua’s out there than me, but if you market yourself right, you can showcase your talents to the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.seeroark.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/camille_roark
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/RoarkMUA/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/CamilleRoark

Image Credits
(Cover Photo of Camille— Photographer: Jan Angeline) Photos 1&3. Photographer James Logan, 2. Photographer Tenaysha Stewart, Designer Adan Avila 4. Photographer Lenworth Johnson 5 & 6. Photographer Chris Juengel 7. Photographer: Fil Nenna