Why should hairstylists have all the fun — and all the inspirational style shots? Ambitious nail techs may want to take a page from Ian and Beth Weber, owners of Fort Collins, Colo.-based Studio Be salons. They’ve had great success producing their own photo shoots for their stylists, which they do four times per year. “For Fall 2016, we went to Red Rocks Amphitheater at sunrise and shot five models, each with a distinctive look,” Ian says. “These images are displayed on our website, social media, and in the salon for a comprehensive campaign.” Do your nail styles deserve any less lofty treatment?

The Webers used the shoot to write a blog entry, describing how they achieved each model’s look. “In the salon, we set aside the products that went into each look and bundled them under each model’s name,” Beth says. “So if a client wanted to get Azurea’s look, for example, they could easily find the right products and learn how to use them.”

According to the Webers, the shoots don’t require a large budget because they use up-and-coming photographers and they partner with local businesses for wardrobe and props. “The images’ reach extends beyond our salon,” Ian says. “Last spring, a local magazine picked up one of our images and put it on their cover and another gave us a six-page spread. Editorial coverage and media relationships can’t be bought and are crucial to bringing in new clients and raising our public profile.”

This story originally ran in Modern Salon (www.modernsalon.com).

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