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Wed, July 28th, 2010

Article: What to do before a Photo Shoot


1.Do your research for your photo shoot. What are you doing the shoot for? Are you going for the professional look or a more glamorous look? Go online and find photos of some modeling poses, hairstyles, makeup and other ideas for your photo shoot. Print them and take them with you to the shoot.
2.Approximately a week or two before the shoot, pick out several outfits you would like to wear. Include your accessories and shoes to complete your outfits. Once you are satisfied with your choices, iron the outfits (if necessary) and hang them in a specific area in your closet. Make sure to have approximately 2 back up outfits.Bring your own makeup as a back up just in case you are not happy with the makeup used at the shoot. Bring hair pieces and partial wigs to change up your hair during the shoot (if a stylist is not on hand the entire time or does not have hair pieces and wigs available.THE DAY OF THE SHOOT
3.Get plenty of rest for your shoot and make sure your bags are packed the day before. Stay dehydrated. Bring light, energy rich snacks and plenty of water or Gatorade. Bring a robe and comfortable shoes (even slippers) for in between shoots.COMMUNICATE
Tell your stylist what you want. Let her know the type of look you are going for and what your preferences are. Your shoot will go a lot better and you will be happier with your pictures if you gave your input and coordinated with the photographer and stylist. Give your stylist and photographer sample photos.

Read more: How to Prepare Yourself for A Photo Shoot | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5487637_prepare-yourself-photo-shoot.html#ixzz0v0kk6Ruj

Wed, July 28th, 2010

Great article to prepare yourself for a photo shoot!


Here are some great tips to get ready for your photo session!!

Article web location
1
Wear clothes with colors that suit you. Certain colors complement certain skin tones, while others tend to bring out the worst. Also take into consideration your hair color. You may have a feel for which colors you look best in, but if not, do some research (check out the external links below) and some trial-and-error.

2
Pick the right clothes. As in, don’t overdo it. Wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans might make you appear to blend together, which is not good. Try not to wear too much pattern either, or it will take attention away from your gorgeous face.

3
Hide your blemishes. The bad thing about photographs is that because they are simply frozen images of one angle in an instant in time, they can’t show all your good attributes. The good thing about them is that you can easily hide certain features you don’t like.

4
Determine your best angle. Beyond the obvious hiding of blemishes, finding the right angle for your face can be a bit more difficult. The best thing you can do is experiment using a digital camera so that you can immediately see the results of each pose. It will very quickly become obvious which angles are most flattering for you, and you can then use that angle as much as possible in the future. The classic model’s pose is to arrange your body 3/4 toward the camera with one foot in front of the other and one shoulder closer to the camera than the other. This isn’t the best pose for everybody, however, and it can look a little ridiculous when used in a family photo right next to your Uncle Wilber.

5
Get rid of a double chin. Tilt your head up slightly and try to position yourself so that the camera is a little above your eye level. This will hide a double chin fairly effectively. You can also put one hand under your chin as though you’re resting your head on your hand (keep the thumb side of your hand out of the camera’s view, if possible). Don’t actually rest any weight on the hand, however, or you will push the skin into an unflattering position. Also try resting your tongue against the roof of your mouth.

6
Stick your neck out. One trick models often use is to present a 3/4 pose to the camera (turn your head so that 3/4 of your face is exposed to the camera, as opposed to a full frontal shot) and then lift your neck and slightly tilt your head down, as though you are a turkey sticking its head out (without actually thrusting your chin out). This improves facial definition and helps ameliorate wrinkles and flabby skin.

7
Relax. Many people end up looking odd in photos because they freeze into odd facial expressions with a “say cheese” type of smile on their face. If you’re used to having bad pictures taken of yourself, you probably get nervous in front of the camera, and this can make things even worse. If you know a picture is about to be taken, take a deep breath and exhale naturally, relaxing your arms and shoulders. As you exhale, smile or strike whatever pose is appropriate. Don’t hold your breath, either in or out, otherwise you’ll appear as though you’re tense or suffocating. If you see the photo coming too late, don’t panic and try to strike a pose. Keep doing what you’re doing and try to ignore the camera. It may not turn out perfectly, but you’ve got a better chance than if the camera catches you quickly trying to change your facial expression. The more comfortable and relaxed you appear, the better the photo will turn out.

8
Think happy thoughts. An unnatural, forced smile can make you look stiff and, frankly, weird. When people are smiling and waiting for a photo to be snapped, their facial muscles can get caught in all sorts of strange positions. To remedy this, try to time your smile so that you don’t have to hold it for too long. Also, imagine something really funny (don’t be afraid to laugh a bit, even) or think of someone—your spouse or child, for example—who makes you happy. By doing so, you’ll get a genuine smile. If you don’t like your smile or your teeth, try a more subdued, closed- or partially-closed-mouth smile. Regardless of how you choose to smile, the happier and more relaxed you are, the better.

9
Smile with your eyes. Nothing projects happiness and beauty like smiling eyes: a happy, somewhat mischievous expression of the eyes. To achieve this effect, imagine that the camera is a person you have a crush on walking into the room. This will create wider open eyes and a relaxed smile. Chances are you unconsciously do this all the time; the trick is to be able to bring it out on demand, so practice the smiling eyes in front of a mirror.

10
Maintain your posture. Listen to your mother — remember how she always told you not to slouch? Good posture can dramatically improve your appearance in pictures. Sitting or standing up straight will make you look healthier and more alert and, if in a group setting, more attractive than your slouching companions. Just remember to breathe normally and relax your shoulders. Especially if you usually have bad posture, it may be difficult to stand up straight and not look stiff, so practice this in the mirror.

11
Get a better photographer. Professional photographers generally know how to bring out the beauty in people. You can’t always choose your photographer, but sometimes you can. If you need headshots for modeling, get the best professional you can find. If you’re going to put up a shot for an online dating service, choose a photo that is recent, that flatters you, but most importantly choose a photo that actually looks like it is you. There is no point in advertising an airbrushed goddess direct from the catwalk if this is not a true reflection of yourself.

12
Edit or enhance photos. If you’ve tried everything, but you still can’t seem to get a good picture of yourself in any environment, try slightly altering your digital photos. Changing the lighting effects or filter effects, for example, can dramatically improve the appearance of your complexion.

13
Fake it till you make it. People are often photogenic because they like having their picture taken. They are therefore relaxed and happy when the camera appears. If you cannot muster up genuine love of the camera, pretend you like the camera. Imagine the camera is someone you love, a long lost friend, an old flame, your child at age three, or whatever you need to look at the camera lovingly. Try it — it really does work.

14
Keep the shine down. It is so important to keep the shine down in the ever-troublesome t-zone – the top of your nose and your forehead. Especially on a warm day but even the coolest among us may get a little sweaty when faced with the lens of a camera.

15
Relax your lip(mouth) region and don’t have any delirious thoughts filled with gloom. It’s a natural way to appear fresh and appealing in photographs.

16
Keep your face in equilibrium. Look at your face in the mirror. That’s NOT actually the face which comes in your photograph. Now stare at your own reflection. After some time your face will reach the ‘normal’ condition. That will be your ‘equilibrium’ face. Now deactivate your eye region and activate your lip region. Don’t clench your teeth, just make sure that your upper and lower jaw molars touch each other. Always smile if your complexion is dark or dull and your smile should be a slight one. At the same time stress the corners of your eyes and raise your eye brows a little. Practice this exercise every day before mirror for a few minutes. In one month it will become a habit whenever someone tries to take a photograph of you. But don’t forget the most fundamental things for a good photograph and those are good cheer and confidence.

17
Pick the right location. Obviously if you’re having your picture taken on vacation, you can’t randomly decide that you want to have your picture taken somewhere else entirely. However, you can guide your photographer (even if it’s just your friend, that’s what we’re calling it) as to where you want it taken. Sometimes, it’s best to have it taken on a plain background but if you’re on vacation you obviously want to capture some of the scenery. In this case, try and take it outside with natural light. You will naturally look radiant and still stand out from the stunning background.

18
Also try to not look distracted it always shows in the photograph just relax and your picture will be perfect.

Wed, July 21st, 2010

Buy Stock Photos at Shutterpoint.com




Fri, July 16th, 2010

The Face Behind the Camera- Maria Hargrove


Wondering where the name “Beautiful Horizon” comes from? Maria Cueto Hargrove, was born and raised in Brazil ,in the city of “Belo Horizonte”(translates to Beautiful Horizon) by Argentinian parents Leon Eduardo Cueto,and Mirtha Elena Scilletta de Cueto .That was the home she knew for the first 10 years of her life, and either than the US, it will always be a home to her.
When she left Brazil she moved to Toronto,Canada; where she learned English.After two years, she had to move to Turin, Italy; where she learned Italian.After living for two years in Italy, the family moved to the U.S, in Nashville,TN; this is where Maria studied her four years of high school, graduating in 2003.Soon after graduation, moved to Birmingham,AL, where she began college at Jefferson State.After one year in Birmingham, she transferred to The University of Alabama, then transferring to Shelton State where she received her certificate in Cosmetology. Maria always knew she belonged in a creative career, and she always saw things differently than others, she always photographed differently from a young age, but it came naturally to her, until one day her friends saw her images of when she decided to do a small photo shoot with a friend just for fun, and they encouraged to continue taking photos, and that was the day Maria decided to pursue photography with all she had. Currently she continues to live in Tuscaloosa,Alabama. Throughout all of her life,she traveled to many other countries in Europe,and South America, she is also fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Travel broadens ones view of the world and people, which teaches you to appreciate the beauty in everything.

Fri, July 16th, 2010

Protected: Boudoir & Pinup Style Photoshoot


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Sat, June 26th, 2010

Melina’s Creole Fine Dining, Commercial Photography


Melina’s Restaurant, located in Northport, Alabama. Commercial Photography.

Melina’s Creole Dining Experience, Melina’s Northport restaurant, Melina’s restaurant

Sat, June 26th, 2010

Duncanville Middle School , Dance Line Portraits , Hope, Shelbie, Lauren


Hope Hargrove (my niece), Lauren and Shelbie are great friends, and they are part of the Duncanville Middle School Dance Line. We had a great shoot at Capitol Park, and the River Walk, in Tuscaloosa. Here is a sneak peak!

Duncanville Middle School Dance Line Girls

Sat, June 26th, 2010

Inverness Country Club, Reception , Brooke and Matt Stone


Sneak peak at Brooke & Matt’ s Birmingham Reception at Inverness Country Club. Brooke and Matt were married in Destin, FL and shortly after returning from their fabulous Hawaii honeymoon they wanted to celebrate their marriage with all  who were not able to be in Destin. Congratulations Brooke & Matt!

Tue, June 8th, 2010

Brooke & Matt- Trash The Dress Session


I had the great opportunity of meeting this lovely couple, Brooke & Matt. We had such a great time shooting that day, it was a hot & humid day, but they were such great sports!They were not afraid to get down and and this case…sandy!  They are from Birmingham, Alabama, and soon they will have a reception there for all of the guests who were not able to be in Destin for their ceremony. I look forward to being there and getting some great shots, & photographing them in the future. Congratulations again guys!

Tue, May 18th, 2010

MJ’s Academy of Dance – Recital


On Saturday, May 15th 2010 I was happy to be able to go to my two nieces’ dance recital! Last time I went they were a lot younger… Well I was completely awed by how talented they are, & all the other dancers as well. I grew up dancing until the age of 14, from ballet, to modern jazz, to hip hop. Dance is such a important activity in a girl’s life, it teaches you so many important keys to use in life.  Hope & Hanna I love you both very much & I am so proud and honored to call you both my nieces, keep dancing and working hard at everything you do, it will take you places you never thought possible!

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