Maksim Take Two

Hope you all are doing well; I just wanted to show you some new images I got back from a shoot with the wonderful Maksim. As a model, Maksim is so refreshing because he comes to his shoots with loads of ideas and samples of high fashion commercial ads from magazines such as VOGUE and INTERVIEW. All of these images were Maksim's ideas with myself doing the hair styling and makeup, Tom from iBeauty capturing the photos and creating killer lighting to set the mood. Wonderful job everyone!

Vanessa

As a Makeup Artist, it is best to find a healthy balance between doing an equal amount of creative work, and commerical work, so that one's portfolio is not overwhelmed by too much artistic tendancies, nor by the simplicity of clean makeup images. I laugh to myself because it seems that I have become known for, not only my dependability,speed, and technical execution, but for the crazy, colorful and the downright outrageous artistic beauty shots everyone loves. I adore color and the idea of taking the face and enhancing it with creative balance (or imbalance!), creating imaginative photos and out-of-this-world art; but I also love to the bottom of my heart the beauty of the face with just the simplest, cleanest makeup. Just enough that it compels the viewer to be lost in the serenity of the moment, and to note the beautiful lighting, the soft face and the light in the eyes.

I'm really just musing out loud, because I've noticed lately that for all the shoots I'm being hired for - they are ones that want the color! The extreme! The POW!! I love it, it makes me smile :) I love both sides of the coin my dears. I'm planning on working on more shoots on my own to take the soft, clean makeup faces I've been craving. More to come.. :)

I finally have a moment to update you guys with this wonderful shot from my shoot with the lovely Vanessa. She wanted something with a pop of color, but to keep the focus in it's place. A soft, romantic braid for her hair...I really wanted to bring out her lovely eyes without overpowering them, and the canary yellow really did the trick. iBeauty Photography really captured the calm, ethereal beauty! Beautiful job everyone!



I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's weekend and told your loved ones how much they mean to you. We lose out on those chances sooner than we think! I'm so happy to be in love and loved by my best friend, I couldn't ask for more. I wish you all the same true love and happiness...xoxoxxo

Already Gone

Hey everyone! I am so sorry for not updating at all - I have literally been SO swamped that I have had no time. :) Just wanted to pop on here and let you know things are going fantastic. I have several new piles of images to go through and update for here, and I will try to get those up soon. I can't believe it's February already. February?? Really?? As my piano teacher used to sing, "time flies when you're havin fun!!"

I've had this song stuck in my head for days!! I heard it on the radio for a long time before I even realized it was Kelly Clarkson. So random! This is the official video, and I have to say, it's the cheesiest video I've EVER seen. But the song is very good. Kudos Kelly.

And the other side...

At the same shoot with Marley, she wanted to imitate an image of Kim Kardashian she had seen. A high fashion beauty shot - very edgy, very moody coloring. I love how these came out! iBeauty Photography, Hair and Makeup and editing by yours truly :)

An angel...

Last week, I got together with one of my favorite models, Marley, and with Tom from iBeauty Photography we had a wonderful shoot. Marley wanted to create a beautiful, soft, ethereal look for her portfolio, so I kept her makeup to soft pastels and muted tones. I coaxed her hair into a soft, angelic halo of upswept curls and we used shimmer, sparkle and even wisps of feathers to create this look! Kudos to everyone, the headshot is one of my favorite photos to date :)

Jennifer Ann

I had a wonderful shoot ages and ages ago with model, Jennifer, and photographer Don Conrad of Paris Photography - and I just got the images today! I was very excited to get these. Jennifer is an incredible model, and SUCH a gorgeous woman inside and out. It was a true pleasure to work with her. She's definitely a face you don't forget - such stunning features! Don captured her beautiful look in this mezmerizing and darkly stunning set. Makeup and Hair by me.

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 :)