By Staff
How has life been for you as an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur my life has been: Extraordinary, unpredictable, challenging, and blessed. I have met and photographed the last 3 presidents of the United States. Designed a cosmetic line for Saks 5th Ave in New York City. Captured some of the world’s most celebrated celebrities and just as importantly, I was trusted by dozens of private people to empower with my makeup or capture with my camera some of the most meaningful moments and memories of their lives.
What keeps you motivated in such a competitive industry?
The industry is “competitive”, but I am not a competitor. My only competition is me
Someone else can’t take what is for me and I can’t take what is for someone else. That being said, my motivation is getting better than I am today in every way. My motivation is meeting my responsibilities. My motivation is touching lives, sharing laughter and great conversations. Those things keep me going.
What does success look like for you?
To me success looks like Elton John in white sunglasses, a black bowtie and a straw hat singing “I’m still standing better than I ever did, looking like a true survivor feeling like a little kid.” I can’t say it better than that.
How did you become a professional photographer?
I became a photographer out of necessity. As a makeup artist There were moments and angles that I saw that the photographers I worked with did not capture. On a paid job that is par for the cause and absolutely normal, but when you are doing a test for print and the image you are getting is the compensation for your work, that does become annoying. I went out and bought a used Minolta XG-M and a photography book. That is how my photography journey began. The year was 1996.
What is your specialty as a photographer?
In photography I am absolutely a technician, but it can be argued that my specialty is capturing the decisive moment. I know how to be in the right place, at the right time to capture an image that tells a story. I call it the art of anticipation.
Tell us about your photo documenting the interview with Gayle King and R. Kelly.
In the Infamous R. Kelly interview things were going well and I had already taken my BTS set images. I had my camera turned off on my Lap and was just listening as a bit of a spectator when Mr. Kelly began to be agitated. I was not sure what was about to happen safety wise, but I knew I had to capture it and draw as little attention to myself as possible. I did not bring the camera to my eye as I customarily do, I turned it on switched the shutter to silent and began shooting in bursts. I took “The Shot” from knee height. That image happened in 1/60 of a second, was shared over a hundred million times on the web and got me a Pulitzer submission by CBS NEWS.
What inspired you to become a make-up artist?
I became a makeup artist in part because Of the success of celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine. Sam and I go back to 1991 when we both worked in A&S Plaza in Manhattan. Sam was a part time makeup artist for the cosmetic brand Naomi Simms, and I was a security guard standing at the door nearest the counter where he and the young lady I was seeing at the time worked. Sam had a background in painting, and I had a background in color pencil illustration. Sam’s success showed me that there was a future to be had in the makeup industry, and since I did not want to become a police officer, being security was not a good long-term plan.
What is it about your skills as a make-up artist that makes you masterful?
My greatest skill in makeup is my versatility. I could work with any race, skin tone and ethnic sensibility or standard. I was a bit of a chameleon who would work seamlessly with Mainstream, South Asian, Urban, Fashion editorial, Runway, commercial and catalog clients. My style was to be adaptable and understand every market’s standard of beauty and that helped keep me busy.
What advice do you have for those who will read this interview?
Every moment of every day is a gift. Wherever you find yourself, apply yourself. Life is short so live out loud!
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the place of the dead), where you are going.”
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
https://www.lazarusbaptiste.com
https://www.instagram.com/laz2020
About
“It was makeup that led me to photography” says Lazarus Baptiste, a world class makeup artist turned cityscape photographer. “I started makeup in 1994 and photography in ’96. When I was offered the opportunity to co-design the Philippe Privé cosmetics line, I chose to focus on makeup and put my Minolta away.” The decision paid off. In 1999, the Philippe Privé line was picked up by Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City with Lazarus’ artistry and savvy on full display. Lazarus’ makeup career took off as new doors opened for him all over the industry and the world. Lazarus was a design contributor on two other prestigious makeup brands, taught Technique at the Academy of Freelance Makeup, designed the faces of celebrities and super models for numerous magazine editorials, fashion shows and beauty brands. Having proven himself as a top makeup artist, he garnered the attention of the prestigious Bryan Bantry Agency, which signed on to represent him, leading to numerous TV appearances as himself. While enjoying much success in the field, Lazarus eventually self-published a book about his career.
Once he did everything he wanted to do in the makeup industry, it was time to pick up the camera again but, everything had changed. “Minolta is Sony now and film is digital. The lessons and skills from 30 years in makeup are exactly what make my approach to photography unique. My makeup brushes and beauty products are now my lenses and cameras. The New York skyline is my supermodel now.” says Lazarus laughing openly. “A beautiful model would sit in front of me, and I had to reimagine her in a way that would tell a story and make her look spectacular. Now, I walk up to a beautiful location, and I reimagine it with the streets wet from rain, cumulus clouds in the sky, the sun at a 70-degree angle during the golden hour because that is the story I want to tell. The only thing left now is to figure out when that moment will happen at that location and make sure I am there to capture it. Truly the biggest thing that has changed is that I am the photographer now and nature is my makeup artist!”
