Let the wave take you

I've had several people ask me - between my Makeup Artistry, my Photography, my Hair Styling and my Modeling - what started it all and what drove me to pursue it? I'm here to lay to rest all the musings right now.

For starters, my mother can tell you I've been doing my own hair since I was a little girl. Playing "makeup" and posing for the camera was always in my genes. And I remember singing "the Little Mermaid" to my classmates at recess as they all sat around and listened. All these different art forms have always just been inside me. It's as simple as that.

I can recall when I was 16 or 17, I took my younger sister Jacqui and her friend and did their makeup, hair and styled their clothes and I took their pictures and we did my first "photoshoot" in the backyard.

I began to dabble in modeling myself then, but it was and has always been for the artistic beauty of it. The passion and expression I love to put into each image is what shows - I love beauty and love stretching myself in modeling to make something beautiful. Modeling for fashion or runway? I'm just not tall enough my dears :) And truly, I would be completely bored with that. I'm not trying to be the center of attention. I am just passionate about creating art with the lines of my arms, or my hands, or my face, or my body. That is what is truly beautiful to me.

From the modeling that I started 6 or 7 years ago, I found an opportunity and mentors to spur me on to pursue my TRUE love. The Makeup Artist. I have always been a painter, and "painting" on the face is my favorite of all. I love how hair can be twisted and shaped to create different moods and it lends the final effect to the look. Hair styling has always been a bit more of a strain for me, as Makeup Artistry is where my ease and creativity flow easily.

Which then led me to Hair Design school - once I had the finances to finally avail myself to study, I've thrown myself into it wholeheartedly. It's helped so much with understanding the intricacies of special hair-do's and has really helped me to amp up my fashion hair design styling for photoshoots. Obviously, this is all so very much in my blood! I wouldn't be happier doing anything else.

Which lastly this brings us right back again to my photography - I've always been fascinated by beauty in images. And whether I am in front of, behind or behind the scenes, as long as an incredible piece of art and beauty comes from it, I am happy and at peace. :)

Find what you love to do and do it! Let the wave take you :)

Alex

Last week I met Alex (below) and we had a wonderful shoot together. Her mother, Dawn, had contacted me about giving Alex her first modeling shoot for her portfolio for her birthday. Believe it or not, but Alex is just 15! Standing easily at 5'10 or so and her mature countenance, it was hard to remember she is still quite young. Alex was so fun to work with and really learned alot her first shoot. I'm sure she will have quite a career ahead of her.

Merry Christmas~

Another Christmas has come blowing through town... I suppose one could use this time to sit and reflect on the past - but all I see now is the warmth of the present. It's been a hard and wonderful year, one with so much growth and learning. I am thankful for all that I have, and I cherish the people in my life. My best wishes goes out to my friends and those whom have given me a helping hand this past year. I thank those as well, who have shown me that I need only my own backbone to calmly stand on my own two feet. I have dreams, and everyday I am making those dreams come true! All we have is the strength of our convictions and our integrity. I am proud to live by my honor and purpose. May you do the same! Merry Christmas my friends!

Jaimie

I met with Jaimie last week for another photoshoot with Chris Holmes - now, Jaimie is a brand new model - this was only her second shoot! She just got signed with an agency straight off the bat, so she was wanting some pictures to start her portfolio. I had brought along a lovely black dress of mine because she said she didn't have much to wear, and it fit her to a T. :) After hair and makeup, I helped her with some simple poses and Chris did a wonderful job with these images. Looking through them, I had to smile. They remind me very much of myself when I was starting out. And even in the full body shots - she kind of looks how I did too! Especially her hair - I guess I just like full wavy hair like that :)

Kate and Kristen

IMPORTANT:

To finish my certification for hair design, I am welcoming everyone to come see me for any Haircuts, Hair Coloring, Updo's, or Hair Extensions! I do not get paid for these services - get this deal while it lasts. Please email or call me for details :)

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In the past few weeks I've had a few shoots with Mike Larremore, and his images are fresh, fun and full of interest. For Kate, (yes, the same Kate as below! what a small world!), we went to the Art Institute of Portland and used one of the art studios to shoot in. I styled Kate with soft colors and kept her hair romantic and unkempt.



The other shoot was with Kristen Rautenbach, whom I have long waited to work with. She was so much fun, and really knew how to pose! Working against a fiery orange background can be daunting, but Kristen pulled it off with ease.

Kate Son

I have to apologize, I have been SO swamped with everything lately, that I just haven't had a moment to sit down and update. We are well, steering clear of all that swine flu business lol and I hope all is well with you! I wanted to show you a beautiful new set that I did with this new photographer, Chris Holmes.

Chris has been wanting to get into more of the fashion side of things, so he hired me to help him design his next several series of shoots. Our first set was with the lovely Kate Son, and I had such a wonderful time with her. She is so beautiful and truly has a heart of gold. I'm looking forward to another shoot with her this weekend! Take a look :)