Today we’d like to introduce you to Libra Cordero.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Libra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always knew I was creative. Even as a teenager, I was the one doing makeup and hair on family and friends… for fun, for proms and parties. AND I was always the one clicking the camera at gatherings. Back then, it was a disposable camera so a lot of my coins when to 35 mm film and makeup and hair products. When I moved from New Jersey to Atlanta, the TV and film and industry was just beginning to flourish. At that time, there was a 7% tax incentive to do a film production in Georgia. I paid much attention to how quickly the production incentives were quickly rising and predicted that there would be much TV and film work to be had in Georgia. I had no idea how to get my foot in the door so I decided the best start would be to attend cosmetology school to become a licensed cosmetologist with the hopes of becoming a TV and film makeup artist.
Although cosmetology school focuses on becoming a master in all the beauty crafts, I felt that hair styling education was more predominant at the school I attended and I didn’t want to work in a hair salon. So, I quit cosmetology school with 6 months to go and I immediately enrolled in an esthetician school where the focus was on skin care and makeup. On my last week of esthetician school, I met the news production supervisor for CNN when she came to the school for a visit. The short story is she hired me and gave me my first chance in the TV industry. Becoming a full time hair and make artist at CNN was my absolute dream job! Even though I earned my esthetician’s license. The 6 months of unfinished cosmetology school began to nag at me, so I decided to go back to cosmetology school and finish. I am now also a licensed cosmetologist. Working at CNN as a hair and makeup artist launched a successful freelance makeup and hair styling career in the entertainment industry. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. I am a published makeup artist for magazines such as Essence, Upscale and Atlanta Magazine. And I have had the privilege of working with President Jimmy Carter, international royalty and other dignitaries. Melissa Etheridge, Usher and Taraji P Henson are a few of many celebrities I have worked with. I am also a member of IATSE Local 798 Hair and Makeup Union.
After 10 years of working at CNN, I followed my husband to Kuwait while he pursued his career. I worked as a freelance hair and makeup artist and even had members of the Kuwaiti royal family as my clients. During my travels overseas, I bought a professional DSLR to photograph my amazing travels. Travel photography began to light another creative passion in me, but I couldn’t let go of my love of hair and makeup. So, I began to study photography and marry my two passions. Out of that came makeover and photography sessions. I became known as a photographer and makeup artist in Kuwait. After living overseas for 4 years, we returned back to Atlanta where I now am a working makeup artist and photographer.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
At one point, at the beginning of my career, my biggest problem was that I had too much work and I wasn’t ready for it. I was forced to get organized fast or lose potential clients. As a creative entrepreneur, I didn’t care very much for the business side, I just wanted to make people look and feel great, create art and get paid for it. I had to face my dislike for office organization and paperwork. I had to get real with the fact that I did not like office management, paperwork, preparing for taxes, incorporation… basically, everything else besides creativity that keeps a business running. I realize that one of my strengths is that I am highly motivated by learning. I wanted to fully understand and strengthen my business mind. I was lucky that one of my clients is a successful business coach. She taught me to dot the I’s and cross the t’s of every aspect of how a successful business is run.
My advice for other women just starting their journey would be to write a business plan and execute it. Examine your greatest strengths and weigh your weaknesses. If your weaknesses slow down the flow of your business, take the time to educate yourself and learn more or pay someone to do it for you, so you can continue to do what you love.
Please tell us about Libra Cordero Photography.
I am a makeup artist and photographer. I shoot magazine-style portraits to market you, your brand, or your business.
I do makeup for women who want to feel beautiful. I also teach women how to do their makeup and photograph them in ways that match their body and soul… and to me, that process is beautiful! Sometimes, it looks like strength, softness, power, playfulness or quiet serenity. My clients feel more confident because others finally know who they are inside… and sometimes they discover it themselves.
They get the best of both worlds with me, professional makeup and photography. Being in this industry for 18+ years I have had the privilege to team up with and hire some of the best and most experienced celebrity makeup artists in Atlanta. My clients end up walking away feeling like a star… like they stepped off a page of a fashion or Fortune 500 magazine. I’m just a mirror, I show people who they really are.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Joining groups and organizations that offer encouragement, support and education have been vital to my success. Being among like-minded individuals help to keep that creative fire lit and sometimes offers future work opportunities I would also highly recommend paying a business coach that understands your chosen industry.
Pricing:
- $600-$3,000
Contact Info:
- Website: http://libracordero.com/
- Phone: 678-436-3232
- Email: libra@libracordero.com
- Instagram: @libracorderophoto
- Facebook: @libracorderophoto
- Twitter: @libracordero
- Other: http://illumebeauty.biz/
Image Credit:
Libra Cordero Photgraphy Inc.
Cover Photo Credit: Florencia Jadia
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