Do I need professional photography for every refresh?

High-end campaigns benefit from a professional shoot, but well-lit behind-the-scenes images can work if they meet resolution and colour standards.

How big should a hero image be?

A width between 1 600 px and 2 000 px balances quality and load speed; keep file size under 500 KB after compression.

Can I reuse last year's spring image this year?

Only if the look still aligns with current trends. Otherwise, tweak colour grading or pair it with a fresh detail crop to avoid visual fatigue.

What if I don't have new work every quarter?

Create a personal test shoot. Brands appreciate initiative and creativity just as much as paid credits.

Seasonal updates: why a maquilleur should refresh hero images every quarter

Quarterly hero-image refreshes give you four chances a year to impress casting directors, wedding planners, and beauty brands with looks that feel current. Discover how this simple habit increases click-through rates, signals professional growth, and turns more profile views into paid bookings.

The quarterly advantage

1. Hiring peaks align with seasons

Fashion weeks in February and September, bridal booms in spring and early autumn, and holiday campaigns in Q4 all trigger spikes in makeup artist demand. When your hero images mirror these hiring cycles—think pastel looks for spring or glitter accents for year-end galas—recruiters instantly see that you understand their project context.

2. Algorithms reward fresh uploads

Most creative directories push recently updated portfolios higher in search results. A new set of hero images every three months keeps your profile in the “recently refreshed” bucket and boosts visibility without extra ad spend. Learn more about visibility mechanics in our deep dive on how fresh uploads rise in directory results.

3. Visual storytelling shows progression

Seasonal updates let you highlight new techniques—airbrush freckles, holographic liners, or clean-beauty skin finishes—proving that your skill set evolves. Recruiters looking for trend-forward talent perceive you as proactive rather than static.

What makes an effective hero image rotation?

Focus on relevance over volume

Theme match: Align colours, textures, and lighting with the upcoming season.
Diversity: Feature varied skin tones and face shapes to widen client appeal.
Signature touch: Keep a consistent lighting style or subtle watermark so viewers still recognise your brand.

Plan your quarterly shoot calendar

Block one half-day per quarter to create or curate three standout looks—one primary hero and two alternates. This approach balances freshness with workload and keeps your gallery concise, a best practice covered in our guide to curating standout portfolio looks.

Metrics that prove the payoff

Metric	Before refresh	After refresh (4-week avg.)	Uplift
Profile click-through rate	4.2 %	6.8 %	+62 %
Average time on page	41 s	58 s	+41 %
Inquiry conversion rate	1.5 %	2.4 %	+60 %
Repeat recruiter visits	—	+28 %	n/a

Source : Aggregated data from five European talent directories, 2023–2024.

Step-by-step refresh workflow

Many artists find that the true bottleneck in quarterly refreshes is not creativity but logistics, so treat the workflow like a production sprint: start by tagging last season's best shots in your DAM, then map emerging colour stories against client-booking windows, reserve gear and models two weeks out, and block two hours the next day for culling and retouching. Batching these micro-tasks keeps the process lean, ensures you never stare at an empty hero slot, and turns what feels like an overwhelming overhaul into a repeatable routine you can finish between morning coffee and your first appointment.

Audit current hero images. Remove any shot older than 12 months.
Check trend boards. Use agency moodboards, Pantone releases, or social-media insights to pick colours and textures.
Shoot or select. Plan a mini-shoot or pull from recent gigs; ensure you hold usage rights.
Edit for speed. Compress images without quality loss—our article on optimising image load speed details exact settings.
Update captions & alt text. Include season-specific keywords like “spring dewy skin” for SEO lift.
Announce the refresh. Post a teaser on social media and drop a quick note to past clients.

Integrate quarterly updates into a bigger portfolio strategy

Hero images are the hook, but layout influences how long a recruiter stays. Pair your refresh with a quick scan of gallery flow, thumbnail hierarchy, and call-to-action buttons. For inspiration, review our blueprint on crafting a first-impression gallery layout that converts.

Finally, make sure your newest work also lands on platforms recruiters monitor closely, such as the “new makeup artist portfolios” stream on Artfolio. Cross-posting within 24 hours of your update keeps your brand message cohesive across channels.

Quiz: test your seasonal update savvy

FAQ

Do I need professional photography for every refresh?: High-end campaigns benefit from a professional shoot, but well-lit behind-the-scenes images can work if they meet resolution and colour standards.
How big should a hero image be?: A width between 1 600 px and 2 000 px balances quality and load speed; keep file size under 500 KB after compression.
Can I reuse last year's spring image this year?: Only if the look still aligns with current trends. Otherwise, tweak colour grading or pair it with a fresh detail crop to avoid visual fatigue.
What if I don't have new work every quarter?: Create a personal test shoot. Brands appreciate initiative and creativity just as much as paid credits.

Take action now

Your next booking could hinge on one striking, season-relevant image. Schedule your quarterly shoot today, refresh your hero slots, and watch inquiries climb. Need help refining gallery flow? Explore our step-by-step layout guide and start converting views into contracts.