Portrait Shoot with RevDr Jamillah Mantilla

Another fun filled week at the studio.  We shot with RevDr Jamillah Mantilla, She is an amazing person and also very well know in the christian world.  She is not only associated with one of the mega churches of America, Faith Fellowship church in Sayreville NJ. She educates people about business and ethics and right practices. She loves my work and we have shot before, It always feel good when you have returning clients. We have been going over the shoot ideas and concepts and worked out some fun images for her. The whole idea revolved around the new face of business. So with out much ado I will share the images with you.  I thought i should share some fun shots too my assistant testing light he has to wear different hats in the studio.

Vivica A Fox Commercial hair shoot's Behind the scenes

First day of our three day shoot ended shoot ended today with some great images in hand.   Mood board consisted of 10 different looks out of which we have shot 7 looks.
We started with the sports look where I shot a boxing look and also a treadmill run shot.
The second look was like out of the bed look with coffee by her window side, I love this look as I shot it in all natural available light with some reflectors.
The third look we shot was behind the shoot, getting ready look.
fourth look was shot to make it look like a still from her movie shooting. This will be completed later in post.
I had to create a very cinematic lighting effect. fifth look was a beach stroll with resort wear.
Sixth look was nice where she is wearing a short skirt and shirt  she is out in the mall on a shopping spree.  This look will completed in post also.
seventh look was glammed up party look.
I thought to share some behind the scenes images with all of you.  Oh I forgot to tell you the best part that my team including myself prepared a cool dance step which we did as a welcome back to Vivica Fox, I love the fact that we have such an amazing team and light atmosphere in my studio. I am simply thankful and feel blessed to be able to do what I like to do, it was never that easy to live your dream.

Spring summer collection catalog and editorial shoot for Modern Frock

Images from the Modern frock Spring collection 2015. For this shoot we combined the  editorial and catalog shoot together.

What qualifies you to be a fashion model ?

Recently I was approached by Gina and her mom in regards to her portfolio, As a rule I do not shoot a portfolio before a personal or Skype consultation with the model so my studio manger scheduled them in. Gina and her mom came in for the consultation and we went over every thing. As I like to give as much information as possible to make sure that if you are new model you understand how the business of modeling works. I like to analyze  what would work best for the model, not every one can walk the ramp but when you watch commercials how often you see just fashion models there. You will see more and more people of different walks of life, so it is very important for me to understand what category you would fit as a model. To be able to work as a professional female fashion model you should  be at least 5'7" or taller some agencies prefer to start at 5'8" or taller. Miss universe qualifies you if you are 5'7" or taller.  As a male fashion model you should be 6 feet or taller, certain agencies would qualify you if you are 5'11" also.  it is very important for you as a model know what you are getting into. I tell all the new models that you have to take it as if you are starting a business. After all modeling is a huge business globally. As a fashion model you have to practice your walk. Walking the ramp is one of your main jobs. You also have to know your body and your posing is very important. If you are hired for a shoot the photographer or the director would give you briefing about the shoot and then expect you to perform. In my initial meeting I tell the new models the best ways to practice there posing and what to watch when they are in front of the camera. How they can look irresistibly attractive to the agents and scouts. I love to direct and help them pose during the shoot since all my career I have worked helping new and existing models with there  portfolios it has just become a second nature to me. At the initial meeting we decided the number of looks we would be shooting and i developed the mood board for the shoot, I got my make up artist, hair stylist and wardrobe stylist filled in about the mood board. It is very important to plan the portfolio shoot and I give the models a 2 weeks preparation work sheet. Gina did great and worked hard on all the guidance. Her shoot date came and we started the shoot at 10:00 am and wrapped it around 5:00pm. my portfolio shoots also give the new model an experience of working on a high end commercial shoot.

               Before picture

  

                                                 

Behind the scenes from the lastest hair add campaign

Here is the behind the scenes video from the campaign I just shot for the Vivica Fox hair collection.

Vivica Fox Hair Collections

Photographer: Vikrant Tunious

Creative director: Joyce Oh

Models:Allison Hawkins, Jessi M Bengue

Makeup artist: Mariluz West

Hair Stylist: Kia Mckenzie-Autry

Coordination: PJ Core

photo assistants: Taylor Rabow

second assistant: Sophia Heij Mariano

third assistant: Ben Wong

Video: Elijah Goodman

NPO Portrait project

Those of you know well they know that apart from my commercial I love to work on projects for Non Profits, My series on Amish families won me an Fedral award and one of the other projects I worked was for UNICEF about child labor in India. I am so excited that just got signed to do a series of Portraits for a great organization.. Can't wait to start this project..

Vivica Fox hair collection add camp

It was a super busy day in my studio today, We have been planning to shoot the this campaign for a few months now. We had well over 20 people on set today, We like to take care of all the clients who visit our studio so they can have a relaxed and creative atmosphere.  We stated pretty early around 8:00 am, had two models for this shoot and they both travelled from NYC. I am thankful to all my team members today for doing an extraodinary job today. I want to name each one of these heroes.
Joyce Oh -  Creative Director
Mariluz West- Make up artist
Hair stylist- Ichikia Mckenzie
First Assistant- Taylor Rabow
Second Assistant- Sophia Heij
Third Assistant- Ben Wong
Coordination- PJ Core
Manager- Brandon Davis
Model- Allison Hawkins
Model- Jessi M'Bengue
Bts Video- Elijah

Here are some Bts on set in the middle of the shoot.

 Reviewing the look with the clients

Taylor caught me in action as always..

Here are some screen shot from some of the looks

Great pose, she worked really well