15 tips from kevin ryan for getting into session work

Session stylist Kevin Ryan was one of the highlights of the Unite Global Session, producing and shooting five looks in a shoot live on stage at the Balboa Theatre Kevin has more i-D covers to his name than any other stylist and has seen his work featured in W, Bazaar, Elle, Vogue and countless others. He's worked with celebrities including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Kristen Stewart. Safe to say, Kevin has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to shooting hair - here, he shares 15 of his best tips for getting into session work. 1. Be part of the team; shoots are not about you and your ego. 2. It's vital that you know all the classic hairdressing techniques and essentials for creating a solid foundation. If you think pin-curling and blow-drying aren't relevant because you're a hot-shot stylist doing something new, you're in for a surprise. 3. If you're working with a brand - be that clothes, makeup or something else - it's not about you and your vision for the hair, its about the brand. They need to be able to sell whatever it is they're marketing, and you need to respect that. 4. There's nothing wrong with faking it if you have to - don't forget that the model has to work tomorrow. Extensions are essential for any session kit and it's easy to make your own by sewing on some clips. 5. Shoot hair is very different to salon hair in that's shot at 180 rather than seen at 360 in the real world. That's why you can get away with faking it! 6. Don't try too hard. Think of it like the 70s supergroups - when everyone involved tries too hard to do their own thing, it doesn't work as an overall end result. 7. It's important to get a good base in to any style you're working on, but don't overload it with product. If you need to change the look from, say, a ponytail to loose waves, you don't want to waste time washing it out and starting again. 8. Know your history. It's important to be familiar with references, whether that's 50s actresses or 80s pop stars. 9. Don't forget to step back and look at your work from a distance. 10. Be flexible; anything can change on the day of a shoot, from terrible weather to a powercut. You can't have your heart set on just one look. 11 Gain experience by linking up with local photography students or art colleges. They always need someone to do hair for shoots and it gives you invaluable free experience. 12. Choose your background colours carefully - white shows everything, whereas black and darker shades can be more forgiving. 13. You don't have to spend a fortune to do your own shoot. These days it's fairly cheap to get a good digital camera or smartphone - that, great hair and a pretty girl will get you far. 14. Have a versatile skillset; if you've only got one trick up your sleeve and they don't like it, you're screwed. 15. Contacts and nepotism might get you in the door, but they don't keep you there - a good attitude and hard work goes far further.