I Love LA. . . . . . . . . . We Love It!!!

On my recent trip to LA I was able to shoot Katherine from Vision. Every once in awhile I shoot a girl where pretty much after the first frame I can call that look finished. Katherine was one of those girls. Every frame was unique and beautiful (I basically continued to shoot just based on force of habit). She was coming off a cold but that didn't stop her from giving a 100% during the shoot and smiling all the way through. I consider Katherine a rock-star and am just looking forward to my next trip out west so that we might be able to collaborate on an editorial. Although I feel she'll be in NY soon enough so maybe I won't have to make that trip cross country (I never made it onto LA time, for 3 weeks I woke up between 3 and 5 am :-0 !!) Here is a small sampling from one look from that day. These are pretty much un-retouched (you'll notice the binder clip in one of the shots, I thought it added a little somethin' somethin' so I left it in).

The Other Half

The other half of the Ukrainian pair I photographed was Alex (her friends call her Sasha). Equally as sweet as Mariya (her friends call her Masha) but with dark hair instead of blonde. Turns out these two are with the same agency back in the Ukraine and have been friends for awhile. I think it would be cool to base a reality show on these two. Following them around Manhattan showing what it must be like to visit NYC for the first time from the point of view of two Ukrainian models. Come to think of it doing this in all different markets would be cool as well. It has everything that reality shows love, beautiful people, interesting locations, kind of like the travel channel meets americas next top model meets gossip girl. Get on that bravo! Here are some shots of the beautiful Alex (Sasha).

The Best Part

It might not be that obvious, and you definitely wouldn't be able to tell from looking at the photos, but the best part about my job has to be the people I get a chance to meet. The fashion industry definitely has its stereotypes, and yes you definitely run into, let's say, "challenging" people now and again, but for the most part I've had nothing but positive experiences. Like take this past week when I got a chance to shoot two Ukrainian girls fresh off the plane and brand new to NYC. They couldn't have been sweeter and they were so excited to be here in NYC! Seeing their eyes light up when spoke about going to the Empire State Building made me want to go and check it out for myself and I live 3 blocks away and never once thought about going up to the top. I'm just glad we didn't have a conversation about Times Square. Here are a few shots of Mariya. I found out a few days later that she was totally under the weather during this shoot and no doubt massively jet-lagged as well (she flew in the day before), but you would have never known it to shoot her, total professional.

I Can See The Finish Line

I am almost, almost caught up with all my re-touching. My recent trip back to Chicago to visit with family and clear my head a bit turned out to be more of a work trip than I had anticipated. I am just now finishing all the post production from that trip and right back to work here in NYC. If you want to gauge how behind I am I still haven't gotten to my taxes, FROM LAST YEAR! No worries, I filed the necessary paperwork for the extension so I have till Oct 15th which means I will be real busy the night of Oct 14th. But I wanted to post a few images of Natalia from last week. This Brazillian bombshell was a total sweetheart with a killer body as you can plainly see above. Thinking about a possible trip to Brazil this winter, you know it'll be summer there in February. . . . . . . . .

I Want To Shoot Her Again!

You wouldn't know it from talking with her, (she has the sweetest, softest voice) but this girls a rock star! Always moving, trying new things, just an all around fun person to shoot. I think she's back in Germany now, but hopefully i'll get a chance to shoot her again the next time she rolls thru NYC! She was a blast!

What Can I Say, Leticia.

Had the opportunity to shoot Leticia the other day. She is in the current issue of V magazine wearing a t-shirt and a rose. Wow! What a stunner, and filled with such great/positive energy! The time just flew by, and when it was all said and done, I was able to step outside my box and experiment a bit (last 2 shots pictured above). I still love soft light, but c'mon. that last one is just pure fun! ;)

A Lot Has Happened Since My Last Post!

I renewed my commitment to go to the gym, then I broke said agreement, then I re-renewed said agreement. I've shot like everyday which is great until you realize all the computer work that entails, I'm like crazy behind! I'm back on caffeine as of about 4 o'clock this afternoon, 3 months was a long enough break, (a personal best I might add). Tons of other stuff happened more pertinent to photography, but unfortunately I have to get back to work so all that will have to wait till next time. Until then, here are a couple shots of Alannah from our first two looks!