About BRETT
Brett Dorrian Benedict
Photographer + Media Makeup Artist & Studio Owner
Life • Style • Business • Branding
Hello and welcome! I’m Brett Dorrian Benedict and I will personally be providing the photography and media makeup/hair for your studio appointments.
I started the studio 15 years ago after college and grad school at St. Kate’s, and also media makeup trade school in CA and FL.
I’ve been a photographer since it was film (wow!) and when we went digital, it was simply fun to be able to have limitless frames instead of 24 at a time.
But, that just means that I’m excellent with working with my equipment and reading light, so we’re able to get wonderful photos in short order.
Since I learned to paint faces during college oil painting classes, my media makeup skills are special in that every foundation color and lip color are totally custom mixed for each client. And yes, I wish I could bottle up your perfect color and send it home with you.
You will see yourself as the best version of you in both my makeup applications/hairstyling as well as photos.
Relationships are number one for me. Whether I’m working with private clients, corporate clients, or commercial/editorial clients, we will build a meaningful rapport that makes it a delight to have an ongoing working relationship over time.
I’ve made my entire career out of my passion for helping clients elevate how they show up in the world through photography and media makeup.
I’m the one with the long red hair.
My husband, Michael, is the one with the impressive mustache.
Our puppy, Tank, should be a dog model.
In my personal life…
I’m married to an introverted engineer (opposites attract since I’m someone who lives life out loud!)
I’m a dog mom to our rescue pup, Tank (and he’s in charge)
I volunteer both time and money to organizations that are meaningful to me, and I encourage others to find ways to give back (if you want to help yourself, start by helping others)
I love traveling with Michael, and we’ve built room for international travel into our lives multiple times a year
I love to kickbox, distance bike, kayak, ski, and strength train (outdoors > indoors)
I think it’s super important to make memories out of our life experiences
Worked With | Various Production Credits | Previous Clients | As Seen In
Accenture, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Calabrio, Target, Best Buy, Toro, United Rental, Medtronic, 3M, Cargill, Thrivent, Edward Jones, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Be the Match, Miss America, The MS Society, MN State Lottery, Famous Dave’s, Natureworks, Sub-Zero, KISA Boutique, Mercury Mosaics, TPT, the U of M, Hamline University, St. Catherine’s University, St. Thomas University, Brides Magazine, MN Bride Magazine, Minneapolis/St. Paul Weddings Magazine, Lavender Magazine, Style Me Pretty, The Knot, Carats and Cake, Hearten Magazine, The Star Tribune, The Pioneer Press, Vita.MN, City Pages, Kare 11, Twin Cities Live, MPLS.tv, MN Fashion Week, MN State Lottery, The Zombie Pub Crawl, The Haunted Basement (Department Head Special Effects Designer), The Coen Brothers "A Serious Man" (hair day player), Jungle Theater, Frank Theater, Sandbox Theater, Driftwood Productions, Sound Check, Inc., Lighthouse Media, E-L Productions, Wheman Agency, Six Speed PR, St. Catherine University SCAN Magazine
“Brett and her team work with the utmost professionalism... and they are FUN to work with too! Brett is incredibly well-educated and is creative beyond words.”
Community Involvement
MS150 — Bike Ride Fundraiser for the MS Society 2021-present
Safe Hands Animal Rescue — Volunteer Content and Event Photographer 2021-present
Boss Lady Book Club — Monthly Book Club Leadership with a Focus on Business and Personal Development (hosted virtually) 2020-2023
Live Well Workshops — Monthly Workshops that Help You Elevate Your Work and Life and Have a Renewed Season of Wild Compassion for Yourself (hosted in person at the studio) 2021-2023
NEMAA (Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association) — Board Member 2018
Make a Wish Foundation — Gala Event Experience Committee Member 2018
Selby & Snelling Business Association — Business Association Member for Community Events 2011-2016
Education
St. Catherine University — Valedictorian Bachelor of Arts, St. Paul, MN Theatre and Studio Art
St. Catherine University — Masters of Organizational Leadership, St. Paul, MN Strategic Management
Makeup Designory (MUD) — LA Campus Media Makeup Character Design, Special Effects Painting and Application
Joe Blasco Professional Makeup Training Center — East Coast Campus Masters of Media Makeup Cosmetics chemistry, department heading, beard work, wig work, beauty makeup, avant garde, fantasy, light SFX, and airbrush
“Brett was amazing. I walked in nervous and walked out feeling like a queen.”
“Brett as a person is kind, driven, and accomplished. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking to treat themselves.”
