Head Shots

So. . .I needed some new head shots but I knew there was a lot of work that had to go into this undertaking first.  Here are some of my thoughts on my process whether you are considering doing this for yourself for professional or personal reasons.

My first step was deciding I needed to update my look.  That entailed the decision to go to a short haircut.  That was not such a stretch for me as I had been going progressively shorter for the past couple of years.  I'm nothing, if not someone who loves the shock-value of changing things up a bit.  And after all, hair grows. . . I'm lucky that mine grows pretty quickly.  But even that's jumping the gun: I happen to love my short hair.  It works for me, and as a makeup artist, I find it provides the perfect excuse to raise the bar on my own applications.  Enter my dear friend, Tanesha Dupree.  We were working a photo shoot about a month ago and I looked at her and asked, "Do you think I could carry a short pixie cut?"  She didn't hesitate in her answer, "Yes!"  My next question was, "would you cut it for me?"  Her reply: "you've given me goosebumps. . . of course, I will!"  Tanesha and I are professional soul-mates.  I know her work and trust her ethic and skill, blindly.  But I knew I had to contact the stylist whom I patronize:  The Fabulous Kim Jones of Salon 101 Spring.  I spoke with her briefly and although she was not available to do the cut, she confirmed my idea: yes, I could do a pixie.  Side note: I'm a very lucky lady to have the friends and be privy to the talented artists in this industry that I do.  However, once I've made up my mind that a big change is in order, it needs to be done yesterday.  I'm an instant-gratification gal that way.  Thank you, Kim, for giving me the courage to proceed.  And thank you Tanesha, for executing the cut I longed for.  Although I see Tanesha work in a mostly bridal and editorial capacity, each time amazed by her hair artistry, she's a Master Barber by training.  I now know why.   I dearly love both of these super-talented women.

Then comes the process of planning your look.  Knowing why you are doing head shots is of primary importance.  For me, it was a means of communicating to my potential clients.  I needed a photo that conveys confidence and trust; something that says, "I'd love to do your makeup, and I'll do it expertly."

Enter Diana Deaver, photographer of souls.  Her mantra matches mine: "I'd love to do your portrait, and I'll do it expertly."  I've blogged previously about some of my experiences with Diana.  She's simply someone who loves beauty in its many manifestations, and someone I fall into easy banter with.  I knew I had to be super-chill for the best results, and I thought Diana would be the person who could help me get there.  Even now, I could sit and write about the sensory experience of being photographed by Diana.  The rain forest incense from her home is still with me, hours after picking up my proofs.  And that's a great metaphor for Diana: she lingers.  Her words, her essence, her heart . . . it's just out there.  I'm tuned in to her.  Thank you, D.

There's so much more.  Maybe even worthy of another blog entry.  The lessons I learned from each of these ladies, along with the "be prepared" credo.  I'll be thinking on that, too:)  Oh, and the makeup?  By Yours Truly.  My makeup is very indicative of how I approach my clients.  I know that I'm more of a "naturalista" and those types tend to gravitate toward me.  Don't get me wrong. . . I can beat down a face with the best of the makeup divas, but the ladies who like "Me. . . just an enhanced version. . ." are people I understand.

xo,
Pamela

p.s.  A shout out to Kira Elizabeth Designs for the lovely earrings I was able to wear in the third photo. Kira is a featured designer in Charleston Fashion Week's Bridal Expo, as well as a house designer for Belle Couture Bridal.

HeartsApart.org

HeartsApart.org was created by our amazingly talented and generous photographic community. Founded in Wilmington, NC, its mission is to keep our military families at the forefront of our consciousness for all they sacrifice on a daily basis.  It's a way to keep deployed families within an arm's reach of each other, even while serving overseas.  At the crux is a set of bi-fold photos, taken by some of the most well-respected, highly sought-after photographers in our nation.  These bi-folds fit neatly in the deployed serviceperson's uniform pocket. The photos are of immediate family: children, and spouses.  The inside of the bi-fold is an intimate, "for their eyes only" shot of the other spouse.  The wallet-sized, plastic-coated set of folded photos means the world to the  person carrying it.  It means s/he has family at their fingertips when they are half-way across the globe.

I'll never forget the day that Charleston photographer, Diana Deaver, asked me to be involved with this project.  She was the local photographer who was asked to photograph a Charleston Air Force family before the husband/dad's deployment.  Although I did not know much about this organization at the time, I did know Diana.  She possesses one of the most giving, generous hearts of any one I've ever met.  There was no "let me check my calendar. . ." it was only, "tell me where and when, D. . ."  As you can see from the resulting photographs, she got what she was aiming for with this young military family.

The icing on the cake came in the form of a Brownie.  Harris, that is.  I was set up in the kitchen of our studio for the day, and I heard a voice I'll always have locked in.  That mellifluous, genteel voice of Brownie Harris.  I had no idea he'd be popping in during the day, nor that he was involved in this at all.  But as a matter of fact, Brownie is one of the visionaries of this organization.  He has helped grow HeartsApart.org into something so much more far-reaching than was ever imagined.  He spoke glowingly of Diana and said what a gifted photographer of women she was; that she had an especially sensitive way of helping women let their guard down, and then REALLY capturing them with her camera.  I found this to be the highest of compliments, but having seen Diana work previously, I already knew it to be true.  It was simply phenomenal to hear Brownie articulate it.

This is one of the most worthwhile projects I've ever been involved in.  Thank you, Universe, for allowing me to see this first hand.  And thanks to the following:

The Kihn-Hurt family. . . for letting your family's light shine on us all, and for the sacrifice you make every day.
HeartsApart.org, for such a magnificent undertaking.
Diana Deaver, photographer of souls.
Brownie Harris, for your insight, direction, and worldly experience.
Collette Mruk, for your supreme organizational skills and kind heart.
Mike K., for the use of your home and space.
And to anyone else whom I've unwittingly left out. . . thank you.

The Voyeur in Me: Happy to be a Fly on the Wall

Few things are more inspiring to me than (1) breaking out of a routine, and (2) keeping company with those who are really passionate about what they do.

I didn't realize until this past Wednesday, that changing up some of my MUA routine would be a catharsis. Not only would I purge some of my old habits, but I would condense, downsize, and economize the way I would look at my own makeup artistry. All of this because I had the opportunity to go on-location to observe a photo shoot where I would play no role. This day, the voyeuristic side of me would be placated: I would be that fly on the wall. This is rather ironic to me because my kids and I often play "If you could have any super-human power, what would it be?" My answer is often, "I'd be invisible." There's so much to learn when you're invisible. In yoga, a good teacher once told me if I became quiet and really listened (intuition. . .perhaps, God?), answers would come to me. This was one of those moments.

My dear friend, Angela, pictured above (an amazing yogini and beautiful soul) is putting together what will surely be an amazing modeling portfolio, and I was blessed to be present for what I would call her breakthrough photo shoot. I was along for moral support, but also in the capacity of observing MUA. She made certain the photographer and working MUA did not mind my presence.

The Makeup Artist. When I arrived, Angela was having her makeup applied by Marta Maria, whom I would liken to the eye of a storm. . .calm and reassured by her expertise. Marta splits her time between France and Charleston; she was a makeup artist during Charleston Fashion Week, and currently has work featured in Marie Claire magazine. She is an artist first; makeup is one of her media; she's also a painter. What struck me most was her implicit understanding of light. This is an extension of her knowledge of color, product, and client. (A conversation with her about France's midday light left me wanting my passport updated ASAP so I could make the trip. Marta says a visit to the French countryside is all it takes to make one realize the inspiration behind the works of Van Gogh, Gaugain, and others; pastel colors abound.) But it was also her understanding of the photographer and how she works and what she likes that made this such a success.

The Photographer. Diana Deaver is the storm. When this petite lady walked in the room, the energy shifted from sedate to charged. Diana immediately surveyed all clothing, accessories, lighting, and Marta's work. Until that moment, I've never witnessed a photo shoot where the photographer had such a stake in the makeup. Her first words to Marta were, "I love the lightness under her eyes, but I'd like a darker contrast on her lids." Evidently, Diana has been known to do makeup herself. She knows what she wants, comes prepared with a vision for the shoot, and is perfectly prepared to execute it on her own, if need be. However this day, she was working with her friend Marta, and she knew and trusted her capabilities.

Many makeup artists like to check out what other MUA's use. I'm no exception. . . I asked Marta if I could check out her kit as it's quite different than mine. She showed up with an overnight bag that held a couple of boxes. Those boxes house many samples of products: NARS, T.LeClerc, Maybelline, Revlon (which Marta says she finds best for powder foundation), brushes, applicators, and several other things. Her kit is so compact, yet she has everything she needs and then some.

Here's the thing about both Marta and Diana: they are master multi-taskers. Marta carries relatively little makeup with her, but she's a mixologist. She puts things together to come up with new colors, shades, tones, hues, and textures. Marta uses her fingers often to apply and blend out colors. A cosmetic wedge was the other tool she used most. Diana has an eye for the unusual: among the items of clothing, there was a black satin bra that she turned upside down, and fashioned a neck cuff out of; it was stunning in that capacity. She told me she once used a glass bottle to quickly make a necklace for one of her models; no doubt the results were outstanding.

As I sit here and write, I realize this could easily be a multi-chaptered blog. There was so much to take in that day. I haven't even told you about the synergy these two artists had with one another. At different times, these were things I heard them say about one another. . .

Marta (to Angela about Diana): "I have a feeling, and can see her vision. . .where she's going with this. . ."

Diana to Marta: "I trust you completely."

Well, as you can see, the results are stupendous. Everything aligned that day: a beautiful model brought her expression and talents to play; a light-oriented makeup artist with no ego stepped up to the plate and delivered a flawless face using mostly her fingers and few products; and a photographic genius talked, finessed, and directed her subject to this level of perfection.

What I learned from Marta: my artistry lies not in my kit, but within me. What I learned from Diana: cultivate a passion for what you do; it will sustain you and put energy in your surroundings.

I'd say my super-human power came true that day: I got to be invisible and drink all this in. It was a powerful learning experience, and I thank all involved.

Makeup and Hair by Marta Maria.

Model: Angela Finley

Dresses: Belle Couture Bridal

Photographer: Diana Deaver

www.DianaDeaver.com

www.MartaMaria.tumblr.com

www.BelleCoutureBridal.com