Having Fun

Photo by Castle Rose Photographer 

Even when getting paid for a shoot, if the photographer does not give you specific directions...there is no reason not to have fun, not to play a little and for goodness sake, inject some of yourself into the shoot.

I recently shot with Castle Rose Photography , and really the direction that I was given was 'soft hair and makeup"  and "showing off the ink" That's it.  Why not show off the ink and bring in some favorite things?

In the process, I found out that the photographer and I share a love of  Doctor Who.  I brought the 4th Doctor arm warmers and knee socks, and the photographer HAD a stuffed Dalek and a TARDIS standee.  The rest of the set just came from that.

We experimented , we played we laughed,we had fun, and the images show that.

Being professional, does not exclude being able to have fun at the same time .

Patience

                              Photo by Cadence McCarrel



There are just a very few photographers that I do TFP regularly( trade for picture) with....Mostly because these are the ones that took a chance on me...the ones that brought me in ( and kept bringing me in) when I had no idea what I was doing...the ones that I am SUPER comfortable in and will pretty much shoot any wacky idea I come up with ( as I would do the same for them) Other than that, I get paid for shoots for the most part....even if that payment consists of a percentage of procedes from sales ( of calendars, prints whatever ) Payment does not have to be immediate.

However, when working TFP, there are things that one must remember.  Like patience.  Paid work for that photographer comes FIRST...that is how they pay the bills, eat, and all that other good stuff.  Trade work can and does get put on the back burner. The edits might take a while.... and bugging the photographer for them, is just bad form.

( Now if one is  GETTING paid to shoot...ANY edits they give you are nice, be appreciative!  They have all ready paid you for your time, unless agreed upon beforehand,they don't HAVE to give you anything else...remember that)

Above all, treat your photographers as you would like to be treated..with respect, and dare I say ,kindness?  This business can get catty, and snarky and ego driven....but you don't have to add to that.  Be NICE, you will be remembered for it.  

Dressing up and not

                                Photo by Wolfshead Photography


I admit, part of what I love about modeling is dressing up,and  playing characters for an afternoon, ( or morning) I get to be soft, or sultry, or my own nerdy self.  I get to be a badass, or a space alien, or wrapped in saran.... it is only limited by my ( and my photographers) creativity and the money I/ we want to spend.

I recently did a tattoo focused shoot,and for the first time I did a total  implied.( which for those that don't know that term, it simply means implied nudity.  Nothing is showing in the image...weather it be through draping or posing or sometimes shadows or props... but the model, behind that, is nude.)  The images are FB friendly, and again,show nothing, but the implication, of course....

So anyway, these really were the first total implied I have done ( I have done partials before) And though I am a little nervous about how they well turn out, I also know it is pretty much the best way to actually show all my front tattoo.

It isn't that nudity bothers me...it doesn't.  I model nude for art classes and clubs all the time.  For me there are two factors 1. nude, once it's on the Internet it is there forever...and 2. I must feel comfortable and dare I say feel the correct respect and vibes from the photographer.  Some I get that from, some I don't get that from...I suppose the other factor as petty as it sounds, is I won't  do it for free ( there are always some exceptions to that rule- life is like that...but the respect and vibe...that is non negotiable. )

So , there is nothing wrong with nudes...but make sure you are respected, feel safe and are not/ have not been pressured into it... and you know what? Don't give it away for free, you are worth more than that. ( and payment can be images that YOU KNOW will be works of art, it can be money, it can be something else you are bartering for... preferably it is for money AND art,) but don't do it for just anyone, and anytime....Am I making sense?

Gifts

By Gaylord Walter

I know, again, I apologise for not posting more often, and my excuse is the same.  I have not been shooting very much, but have been working mostly as an art model for the last couple months or so.  
Art modeling for me is much more consistent with bookings and pay than the print, or even promo modeling is, and I always love seeing how different artists will interpret the same pose, the same person, and in the classes even the same instructions....but they all come up with such different pieces.  And though I have seen all these lovely pieces, I very rarely actually get any.  ( a couple sketches here and there) And none ever finished.

This is a finished piece that a lovely gentleman by the name of Gaylord Walters brought in for me.  He is older, with a wry sense of humor, and he is a regular at a couple different drawing clubs that I model for. He brought this in for me, on a board, wrapped in plastic and very neatly wrapped in paper...When I thanked him sincerely for it, he said "you haven't even seen it yet"  I said I don't have to, because just the thought that he brought it in to give to me, I was floored by.

For me, when someone gifts you with something they have made, a piece of art from them, that is the type of gift that should be honored, and cherished, and trust me, I do.

 

Shoots , heat and weight

Photo by Wolfshead photography

So again, I haven't been posting much,mostly because I have been doing more art modeling things than photography... Would you like to see and hear about  some of that as well?

Friday,I had my first shoot in a while ,  the themes were "Superheroes" and " Gothic " pinup.
Michael ( the photographer) sent me this little teaser from the Gothic section.

What you can't see, is that I was melting, totally.  It was 91 according to the the thermometer in my car, Michael's studio is on the third floor, and only partially air conditioned ( the bathroom and front room, where we shot was not...this one, shot in the garage, even MORE not conditioned...probably 110 in there at least) I am sure that my face got red, even with the makeup, and was having to blot my face CAREFULLY, so as not to smudge makeup.  Heat is not my friend, was not my friend.... go ahead, try to get a full spandex body suit on, while sweaty.  I dare you...to say it as a little difficult, whew!  
Don't get me wrong, Michael is an awesome guy, and I had a good time, but extreme heat ( or for that matter cold) DOES make things much more difficult.  ( though it also made us go faster, to finish up....but that is not always a good thing, as there were poses that in retrospect, I would have wanted to try, but it was just so hot. ) So here is a word to the wise.... outside shoots, one expects to be uncomfortable because of heat or cold or rain or water, but inside....comfort should be taken into consideration. So Michael, as much as I like you... if we work together again, full summer would not be best time to do it in.

You may ask why I have not been shooting so much?
2 reasons really. One is that I am looking for more paid work- not that I won't do TFP, but it needs to be a concept that I haven't done before- something new...something that I have really been wanting to do...and most of those ideas are pretty conceptual.  The second reason, is that I had a bit of time where I got lazy with my eating and my exercise...and I gained weight...So I have beefed up my working out again , and paying more attention to food, so that, I will be able to see my ab muscles again.( not to mention, get into all ready waiting to be shot wardrobe)
Yes, let me make it clear, I do love my body, and I am fairly amazed at the things it has done BUT just because I love it, doesn't mean it can't be better- doesn't mean I stop striving...I had a hiccup, it happens, now it's back at it .    

Wow, time gets away !

I know,I know...again I haven't posted in a bit,and I am sorry!
And it isn't that I have not been busy,but that I have been VERY busy, but not with photography, mostly with Art Modeling.  So lots of new drawings and sculptures of me out there, but not a lot of new photographs.

What I did get a chance to do is of to Wizard World Chicago with my daughter and a friend and HER daughter.  It was the first Con the  three of them had ever been to.  We had a blast, just wandering around, taking pictures with people, catching glimpses of idols. ( Matt Smith, David Boreanaz, James Marsters, Stan Lee, Dave Batista, Karl Urban, Lou Ferrigno) We didn't pay extra for personal photo ops or autographs, it was a budget trip ( as much as one of these things can be, anyway)

I was dressed as a 1990's Black Widow, My daughter was Pikachu, and my friends daughter was Storm.  The girls felt like movie Stars because people kept stopping them and wanting to take pictures of them.  They had a blast ( and that was the point, yes?)




 

Manteno State Hospital

Photo by Absinthe Moon Photography

 I know, I haven't posted in a bit, but I had not been shooting much ( I have more shoots coming up, I promise)

Last week I had a shoot with Tim at Absinthe Moon Photography...to add to his series of corpse paint images.  For those that don't know what it is, the concept is taking something ( corpse paint) that is normally used by a specific segment of Metal Music bands ( usually, but not always male) and put it on a selection of models.  I took my shoot a bit further, using an outfit ( little black dress, elbow length gloves, heels) that would normally not be associated with Metal at all....making my particular shoot more of a Metal/ corpse paint/ glamour shoot.  We decided to try and do the shoot at Manteno state Hospital.

Built in the 30's,as a mental institution, it was open until the mid 80's, and is actually listed on Illinois most haunted places. In  '85, Reagan and the Sate of Illinois closed it, to save money and those patients that had no family to pick them up, were reportedly, turned out into the surrounding corn fields.

Most of the land and buildings, have since  been turned over to things like a Veteran's home, industrial/ office park, and other such uses.  There are only 2 buildings that remain un rehabbed and un used...the sewage plant and one of the dorm/ home type buildings.  ( I believe "Morgan House" is the name of the building - each building had a name )

After driving around a bit ( Manteno is not a big town, this is on the edge of it, and Google Maps, does not recognise "Manteno State Hospital" since it has been closed since 1985.    So Tim picked one of the companies in the industrial park, Frito Lay, and we just had to drive around searching a bit more.

The Interior designer/ history/ Home archaeologist nerd in me, noticed things like the arched windows, slate roof, double layered brick walls( two colors of glazed brick on the inside, red brick on the outside) and columned walks/ entrances. The building still has it's poured in place two colored terrazzo floor ( with metal spacers) under all the detritus. I could identify the bathing rooms, toilet rooms, maintenace rooms.  We did not go into the basement, or upstairs...too difficult and dangerous- I was in heels or flip flops at the time....not very good exploring wear.

They really were sunny, open, attractive buildings at one time.

    

Photo by Absinthe Moon Photography

The next thing I notice is that on this hot ( almost 90) sunny day, with standing water inside some rooms, from holes in the roof, there was not ONE bug....not a gnat, mosquito, fly....nothing.  Weird enough.

And as we walked, there was a constant whisper of sound...the tattered roller shades still on many windows, the rustle, creak and groan of sapling trees in the courtyard rubbing against each other and the roof, the breeze though broken windows and open doorways.

And then there were the random cold spots...and in one bathroom and one corner in particular...cold enough to raise goose flesh.  We were told that that particular bathroom was "Gennie's room"  Gennie was a patient who lived most of her life here.

Tim decided it was only polite to ask if he could take some pictures, of the room, the building, of Gennie.  He swears that he heard wordless whispering right behind him....he took that as a yes.

Do I believe in ghosts?  I believe  that there are things we don't understand,that only some can sense. I believe that imprints of our selves can be left behind. I believe that a place can absorb the energy that is inside it, around it ....and that energy can again, be felt much after the original use or events have happened. So yes, I guess I do.

After we finished our shoot, I only thought it polite to leave something.... an offering of sorts.  So I left one of the bracelets I had been wearing in "Gennie's Room" on what was left of a bathtub support.  I could swear that the room whispered at me.    

Not much

By Tracey Padron 

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit, but the modeling has been in a bit of a lull...both in art and in photography.  It will pick up again very shortly ( and has started all ready)

Shoots coming up are a death metal corps makeup/ glamour shoot with Absinthe photography ( I LOVE mixing things up and playing with concepts like this) , a shoot for a calender ( 2 of them actually- super hero and Gothic)

Stuff in the works...Phoenix tattoo with Ms Gingersnap and Michael Barton Art, Yoga ( not fitness, more art with deep shadows and lighting)

Ideas I have floating around include peacock and urban primitive....

The art modeling will REALLY pick up in August, when I am pulling quite a few double shifts, and working 4 or so weekdays.

Wine promo hopefully is ALSO picking up.

So, as with many things, it is merely the calm before the storm....and I will have lots to share when it hits!  

Parking, Bathrooms and Heat

Photo by Bill Rock

Had a shoot on Tuesday with a photographer I have not worked with before, by the name of Bill Rock. Super nice guy, architect and started photography doing architectural work...he was looking to expand  with "edgier" models, I was looking to do something with architecture.  Worked out for both of us, I hope.
We met downtown (not to self, remember to check when festivals are starting so as to know when roads are closed...turned out to be the day before Taste of Chicago- so the roads around Grant Park were closed, making my planned parking, more complicated than it was supposed to be. another note...when downtown, ask for parking money 32.00 to park, whooee!  )

Chicago is such a great city for architecture, had we time and the feet for it there are PLENTY of other great buildings/ places to take pictures ! But we went from The Art institute to the Auditorium Theatre, to the El and the riverfront- so  a good walk and great places to work.

People, which I thought would be an issue, just weren't. They would wait for the shutter to click, us to wave them through or go behind Bill, so not to impact shots.  Some watched, but not obtrusively,and not for long. The people were nice. had a man with quite possible the lowest, most gravely voice I have ever heard, tell me I looked good, and several compliments of wardrobe ( shoes especially)

The problems we ran into were wardrobe changes ( a restaurant restroom, isn't the best, but it worked.  Could have been worse, I don't think I could have handled a port-o-potty ) Make -up touch ups...well we did the best we could in the bathrooms, and with the heat ( it was almost 90) I will tell you, leather shorts may be shorts, but they get STICKY...how my face was not totally flushed from the heat, I don't know.   Hair had to remain simple...I started with it up, and gradually took pins out , a little teasing and spray was all I could manage in the time and space ( and wind) I was dealt.

But overall, I think it went great. Bill seemed really happy with the images he got, I certainly am happy with the sneak peaks he provided.
All in all, another adventure, another different experience, with images  to prove it.  

Storms , hotels and Wolves

Photo by: Laura Dark

So on Sunday I had my much anticipated shoot with Laura Dark.  ( I have admired her work for a couple years now- and when presented with the chance to work with her AND wolves, I jumped!)

The hubby came with me as Columbus is a bit of a drive, and we had decided because it was we would drive down on Saturday, shoot on Sunday and drive home on Monday.
We took the "scenic" route, through little towns and two lane highways.  It was a nice, cloudy day ( we had to go through a couple rain bursts, but not awful ones)

Driving through the Midwest, off highway is for me, a very "homey" experience.  We went through places that look like childhood homes, family neighborhoods, place where my childhood was spent.

The shoot with Laura started at 10 am and makeup and hair ( 3 other women were shooting in that session) so there was 2 make up and one hair person ( thank you ladies, you did a stellar job on all4 of us!)
The shoot itself started a bit after 1, when the wolves and their handlers came to the studio.

Cana, the wolf for the shoot came in, and quickly eased my mind on how stand offish she would be...which  she wasn't at ALL.  She immediately came in, smelled, and started rolling around on the floor, on our feet, begging for belly rubs and kisses. During the shoot, it was harder to get her to not lick your makeup off, than anything else.
I am well aware that Cana is a human socialized wolf, and trained in "ambassador" work.  That a wild one would be far more shy, and timid, especially without the rest of her pack.  I am also aware that wolves do NOT make good pets...they are NOT the same as dogs, despite their similarities.  But working with her, was totally amazing, I do have to say.

The shoot itself was not long. Laura is a very deliberate shooter... she waits for the shoot, shoots, then waits again.  She is  looking to have 10-12 good images of which she usually pulls 6 or so.  Cana, made it take a little longer than I think is normal for her...but you have to work around the animal...she won't work around you.

( and by Monday evening I had gotten my finished images back)

When the shoot ended, the wolf had gone home, we had gotten out of wardrobe...hubby and I went back to the hotel. He was tired, as he had not slept well on the marginal mattress.  He said something like" I wish I was home" even though we weren't scheduled to go home until Monday, and had prepaid the room for another night.  It wasn't as though we had plans...so I said "why don't we go, if you are up to it?"  He perked up...and off we went.  Again on the scenic route , the weather was even nicer than on Saturday...my only downside, that I ran out of reading material on my kindle .

Made it home, slept in out own bed, made the kitties ( Chemo, Rogaine and Venus) happy.
Monday was a lazy day...then the Derecho blew into town.  With it's lines of severe thunderstorms , rain and wind.  It turned out well, us leaving early, as we would have been driving in that mess, had we left on Monday.  Instead we watched it safely through our own windows.  As I write this,  there are still many without power and many areas with much flooding and tree clean up today.              

Conventions

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

So I attended my very first tattoo convention yesterday. I had zero idea of what to expect, and so was open to anything.  Went with a friend (and photographer) as well as my daughter.

So, the Chicago Tattoo and Body Art Expo at Navy Pier....

If someone is wanting a tattoo ( not HUGE) there were easily 200 tattoo artists. They had their portfolios, and their equipment....some were also selling t-shirts, art, posters ( even some skate decks)
So my friend got a new script tattoo,and touch up of an existing one from an artist out of Rhode Island- quite reasonable 150 for both .

We got  4 free t-shirts, plus a free print, and easily had 4 different tattoo artist tell me I HAD to enter the tattoo contest later in the evning.... so for 10 bucks I did.
First problem...I was wearing regular shorts and a halter top.  I figured that was hiding a great deal of the tattoo. So first I want in search of a bikini bottoem or something....I managed to find some booty shorts ( complete with three little pink lip prints)
So after having to wait a  LOOOONG time for my segment to be called, I took off my regular shorts, walked up the stairs to the stage, turned for the judges, walked to the end of the stage and turned for the audiance . Even though I was really nervous, it wasn't bad.
My tattoo isn't totally done ( one session left) But I figured what the hey., might as well try...one never knows. Besides, life is meant to be lived!
 I didn't win, but the winner was AMAZING...picture a Japanese sleve with dragon, koi, flowers,clouds, water....but done HYPER real.  With the shading to not only look 3-d, but the koi actually looked wet ( and a super nice guy, while waiting for results , he was showing me pictures of his grandkids)

So, all in all ,I figure I willgoto the next one, my ink willbe done, and I might have a chance...the girl wants to come with, and I will put a swimsuit under my clothes.  But if you are into tattoo's I reccomend going at least once.
  

Trolls

Photo by: G&D Studios 

Photo by: Micahel Barton Art 

What do these two images have in common? ( Other than the obvious that they are of me) Both in corsets, both with "strong" arm positions, both with hair down...both with slightly challenging. or again "strong" expressions....both had the ever popular "internet troll" say they looked like a man..or a"dude" .

Now, I am very aware that when you put yourself out there,in pretty much any capacity, you run the risk of negitivity...this is the nature of humans and especially the internet...you can't let it get to you, and I don't.  But me being me, have a need to analyze.  ( Silly, I know)

So really the only thing that comes to mind is neither of these are "soft". Not only do they both have some small amount of definition in my arms ( believe me, I want MORE) and neither have a "sexy" or "breathless" or "shy" look on my face...they have a little smirk, a challenge, maybe even a  bit haughty .
That's all I have...do you think I look like a "dude"?  Seems to me that I lack one major anotomical part, and have an additional two , rather prominant ones :)

Regardless, I will keep doing what I am doing, keep challenging myself ( and hopefully others) and not ever let the Trolls bring me down...( and I certainly won't feed them!)

Other work

Photo by: G&D Studios

Sorry I haven't been posting here in a bit, but I have been working other, non photo related things the last week and a half or so...I have been weeding and planting the garden ( along with digging a drainage trench and filling it with rock- still have larger rocks to add, but that is mostly done) I also patched and painted the holes in the siding left by the woodpeckers ( a constant battle with them and the cedar siding) We back up to a forest preserve, and the silly birds can't tell the differeance between a tree ( of which there are many) and the house...so, we get holes...which need to be filled, or we WILL have bugs living in them. This involved the big ladder, expanding foam for some holes and much up and down.
I also have been doing more promo work for Mad Housewife Wine...which I have to say, is a lot of fun...people want to take my picture, they want to take pictures with me...( and for those that come  there are always goodies like spatualas, shirts, nail files, matches and other assorted swag to be had)

This along with the end of the school year, graduation parties, regular art modeling, e-Bay sales, and just life in general got in the way of posting as often as I would like....but I have even more shoots coming up, so there will be more to see, no question.

cowgirl pinup

Photo by G&D Studios 

Why so Serious?

Photo by: Micheal Barton

Indeed.... Why so serious?  Most of my shoots, for whatever reason have a more serious tone ( not to say that we don't have fun, because we do, but the images that come out are more sultry, or serious or sexy  or demure...you get the idea)

I had a shoot yesterday with D&G Studios that was none of that...not really... It was silly. I pulled silly, over the top faces, did silly things , wore silly costumes....( no not clowns- though you will see soon) it was just light hearted all the way around.  It was great!  It was good to just let my self relax and inject more humor into the images them selves ( I inject humor into everything else, why not some shoots?)

This isn't to say that I didn't prepare for the shoot, I did, as usual collect and prepare for it as far as costuming and makeup/ hair were concerned ( first time with liquid liner...I think I did pretty well)   And we knocked out 5 looks in about 2 and a half hours, so we were flying and got about 160 images to sort through.  So "silly" does not mean "not prepared"

I really am quite excited to see the results done ( I have all ready seen the proofs ) It's a really fun set.  ( Think vintage pin-up, along with modern comic pin-up...but remember the silly)
 

Out of Touch

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

Sorry I haven't been posting, I was in Las Vegas for a week, and then managed to bring home the great Grandmother of all colds...which I am still fighting ( currently at the hacking up lung pieces stage, it's lovely)

I didn't get any shooting done while in Vegas, as I was hoping, but did have a very nice relaxing time, walking, hanging out in the pool and of course EATING....so much yummy food to experience, keeping to any type of diet was just NOT going to happen.   From Gordon Ramsay's, to Gheridelli chocolate sundae's, sushi, dim-sum, seafood, sweets..... yeah, you can't go to Vegas and not eat ( or at least I can't)

While there, I found a lovely little Buddhist shrine tucked in a corner of the strip, had one totally random guy tell me he loved me, shocked a salesman when I told him how old I was, took first class in the plane and had a total stranger come up and tell me I had a beautiful aura.  Aside from the whole getting sick thing, it was a great trip.

This week I have a nerd pin-up shoot planned as well as a glamour death metal shoot.... I love mixing genres, and pushing boundaries.  Pushing the boundaries of myself, as well as photographers.

But for today, my goal is to take it easy, take my medicine and get better.    

Difficulties

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

It is hard to keep schedules while traveling...Granted some you don't want to keep... like cleaning or working, but workouts and eating should continue, if you want to keep in any kind of shape.  So much good food... and it doesn't help when a hotel ( and yes, I KNOW they need to make money) charge to use their workout room.  Really?  I can use a free workout room at a Red Roof Inn, or any Holiday Inn...but this luxury establishment wants 25 dollars each time I want to work out?  Forgive me if I find it a little ridiculous...I let the lack of free coffee or tea in the room slide, I understand the concept of the mini-bar.  But this is craziness, Caesars...craziness.
Thankfully, I have a laptop, I have yoga routines on it , so I can still work out, I can still use the pool , but this is a disappointment from a high end,beautiful hotel like this...I expected better.  

Disappointment

Photo by: Cadence McCarrell

Have to say that I am a little disappointed.  Hubby and I are going to Las Vegas next week ( Parents are going to watch the kid, cats and house) and I was really hoping to be able to book at least one gig  while we were there.  I got one answer, when I told them when I would be there " we only work with local models" How weird is that ? I tell you when I will be in town,tell you that I will have a car ....anyway, that is a silly way to do business, you would think a chance to work with someone not in your geographical area would be interesting... and it isn't as though you can't e-mail people I have worked with before for references .  Well, I am STILL open for shoots May 20-22, in Vegas....but you have to book soon, otherwise I won't bring my kit with me....though hey, if there are no bookings... more time for me to hangout by the pool!  ( and that isn't a bad thing at all.....as long as I have plenty of sunscreen! )                                                                                                                                                                                    

First Promo

What do you think?  My make-up for my promo gig for Mad Housewife wine.     The theme ...Retro .

Not bad for a quickie hair ( I had an entirely different idea originally,but it just wouldn't work...this was the "Oh My God... I have to do SOMETHING I am running out of time " do.

I think the first  go round selling wine went pretty good too. I will have my numbers tomorrow AM, But I estimate over a case and a half...for 2 hours, and not serving samples on a beer day ( the Hawks are playing tonight- Go HAWKS!)

People want to try a wine, and I get that...but I had fun, laughed and joked with the customers while they were in line, sold some wine, got others to know that Mad Housewife existed....  So did what I set out to do.

Tomorrow I will be actually sampling the wine, so pretty sure there will be more sales from that.
Come see me at the Homewood Walts from 12-3...try the wine, buy the wine, have some fun!  See you there!

Mad Housewife and Promo Modeling

I know many models that also do promo modeling, and I have joined their ranks.   I am now doing tastings and promo's for Mad Housewife wines.  They have a great price point, are quite tasty, and lets face it, have a great label! 
There are 6 kinds and all of them are a wonderful buy! 

I will be in TWO places this week alone.

On Friday ( May 9th) I will be at Woodman's in North Aurora ( 151 Hansen Blvd. North Aurora) 


On Saturday ( May 10th) I will be at the Walt's Finer Foods in Homewood (2345 W. 183rd St. Homewood ) 12-3.  

Both days  I will be offering tastings,have bottles to buy , and there will be give away prizes when you buy three bottles  or more and mail in forms to get great Mad Housewife merchandise if you buy more.  

This is a fun,quirky label,  and I think it will be a fun thing for me to do. ( and lets face it,make a little money) 

So come by, see me,buy some wine ( I'll even autograph it for you if you want LOL) 

Photo by: G&D Studios

Sales

Photo by: Brian Morrison 

I am still at the point where I buy 99.9% of my own clothing, accessories and makeup for shoots.  And one of the things that comes from that is simply one of space.  I have to be pretty ruthless with clothing ...if I think that I will 1. wear it for another shoot ( rarely, since I really try to wear things a maximum of twice in shoots....why do the same thing over and over?) 2. Will wear it in real life ( It happens with somethings, no question) If one of those two conditions are not met it will either get donated, given away or, since I am trying a newish thing...sold.
I have put an album up on my FaceBook page in an effort to sell some things...with pictures of the item itself, then pictures from the shoot.  You can see it... here.  Some shoes, some clothing ( some of my daughters clothing) sizes, prices and condition are there ( everything was rather gently worn, since it was really just for shoots) Take a look- see if anything appeals, and then let me know....you can trust me, I have been a buyer and seller on eBay since 1998, and have 100% positive feedback...I just wanted to try something different, to see how it goes.  Ebay is the next option.  

Another Birthday

Photo by Michael Barton Art 

Well, another birthday is here. ( for the record I am 42... and found out I share a birthday with Paul Sr. of Orange County Choppers lol)

There are many people (  women AND men) that birthdays are scary, or depressing.  Why? because you are a year older? that IS a reason to celebrate! you are a year older! You made it!  Another birthday is certainly better than the alternative!

My hubby made me a wonderful, touching,nerdy card. ( Zazzle.com, you can make your own cards...how cool is that? )
"You are my 42"  " My ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything"  How cool is that? I love him...for reasons like this and so many more !


I have found that so far, my 40's are the best time of my life... I am working at doing something I love ( totally unexpectedly) I feel more secure in myself,my relationship with my husband, with other people. I feel as though I am more fully "myself " than I ever have been.  Not such a bad thing, now is it?

Age is just a number...not a definition. Define YOURSELF.

What did Auntie Mame say? " Life's  a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"   Eat life up! Go where it takes you! LIVE ,  LOVE and never, ever stop Laughing!

Soft

Photo by: Cadence McCarrell 

I tend to do "hard" shoots. When I say that, I mean more "edgy" "funky""dark" or "punky" shoots.  It isn't as though I don't HAVE a softer side, but I naturally gravitate toward that look...so when finding outfits, that's what I pick first.   And since, at this point 99.9% of the time, I supply my own clothing, that is what gets shot ( I would LOVE to do a latex shoot...unfortunately I worry about reaction as I do have a mild allergy to it...ending up broken out and itchy, isn't really worth it, unless I am making a lot of money.... and even then, it would be iffy)
I ,of course, am open to other clothing, especially sponsorship...don't hesitate to contact me.
I am constantly trying to stretch, so when I found this dress, I immediately bought it...I am glad I did.  I tried to run with the softness of the dress with hair and makeup....I think I pulled it off .

Space Chair and Grumpy Cats

Photo by Cadence McCarrel

Somebody once said ( I forget who) Never work with babies or animals.  I learned why today during a fun shoot with Cadence Mccarrell .  ( or at least the difficulties of working with cats- Working with horses or other animals may be much easier, I will find out soonish. )
Trying to shoot with my own cats, who are friendly, loving ,purring, and snuggling most of the time. When trying to pose became squirming,grumpy things that only struggled to be put down.... then when put down, wandering around and getting in shots at floor level.  Despite pets and treats and hugs, they were having none of it.

Ah well,we gave it our best shot ( and I think got some really good images despite it.)    

Need

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

What do I need,you may ask?  I NEED more paying gigs.  I am doing my best to get "out there" but I need to work.  Lets be honest, the recession hit EVERYBODY hard... no question. And me,well I was one of the 99rs.... yup,one of the ones that lost a job ( Kitchen and Bathroom/ Interior design, if you are interested) because the small company I worked for, couldn't afford me full time....then they couldn't afford me part time,then they couldn't afford me at all,before going out of business totally.  So I applied for other design jobs ( few and far between) I applied for retail jobs, admin jobs,fast food jobs.  I sent out applications every single day. In that 99 weeks of unemployment I got exactly 5 interviews.  Sad huh? But certainly not unusual.  I did manage to get a very part time job with a friend that is a chiropractor. ( 4-10 hours a week) And I still work every once in a while for him, when he needs me.  I used up all my unemployment insurance, and racked up more bills than I like to think about....and now that I am working MORE steadily,I am doing my darndest to get them paid down ( hard slog, that...missing out on lots of stuff I would LOVE to do,places I would LOVE to go...but that is life)

So now, I am working regularly as an art model, traveling all over the Chicagoland area,and totally enjoying it.  But lets face it... I need more.more art gigs,more photography gigs...a girl has gotta pay the bills,you know ?

I know that I do not fit the shape, the age, the look of what everyone needs / wants. I TOTALLY get that.  But for anyone looking for a mature ( emotionally as well) tattooed( they don't HAVE to show, depending on wardrobe) easy going, hard working, consistent model that can  hold a pose, do my own hair and makeup when needed  and won't give you the diva attitude, ( always willing to listen and work with you) I am the one you want ... contact me! Don't wait!  ( shameless self promotion? Absolutely...somebody has to! LOL)

Lightbulbs and prom dresses

Photo by: Michael Barton Art 

Photoshop

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

 There is always quite a bit of chatter about the "evils" of Photoshop.  But what many people forget is that Photoshop is much more than  making someone thinner or taller or whatever.  It is about changing backgrounds,it is about color correcting, or fixing lighting,it is about fixing stray hair,or getting rid of under eye circles or a zit, it is about getting rid of wrinkles in clothing.
Photo retouching is NOT a new thing,it has been around almost as long as photography has...except in the past, it was done by hand. They would tint photos, fix issues and what have you.
( Amusing family story... My Great Grandfather ( step) only had one eye, (as he had been kicked by a mule when young) he didn't wear a patch,just had an area of smooth skin where the eye used to be.  At my Uncles wedding in the 60's, he of course, was in many of the pictures , as was expected of the grandfather of the groom.  The photographer, hadn't really bothered to ask or had not spoken directly with Grandpa Clark, and had a bit of a freak out when the negatives came back.  He thought something had gone very wrong with his camera ( not really thinking it through that it only happened to this one specific person)  and very carefully, in every picture Grandpa Clark was in, drew in his missing eye.  When Grandpa Clark saw them,he smiled, and laughed, and said something like "Huh! That"s what I look like with two, handsome fellow!"  )

Photo by: Mike Jones MYK Productions

      These two pictures here are  good example of color saturation as well as overall smoothing. Photoshopped image is the top one)   Photoshop can fix makeup issues ( or add makeup where there is none   )   It really can do a great deal, though most photographers would prefer that as much as possible is  done " in camera" before Photoshop gets involved,but some things just aren't possible, that is real life. Photoshop is just a tool,and used well it is a good one. When people talk about using un Photoshopped pictures in magazines,I don't know if they realize that even school pictures are shopped, to a certain extent ( that option for "blemish removal"? yes,Photoshop)

And when we talk about fantasy or art photography, Photoshop can be even more involved. Flaming swords and tigers and wings are generally just not practical ( or inexpensive) in real life.  ;)

So just remember, Photoshop can be used with a light touch or a heavy one.  It can be used to manipulate a picture, a background the color of an item of clothing.... it is a tool ,nothing more . And also remember there are people who are artists with it,and those that are not very good at all.
      

Artists

By Tracey Padron EFT Studios

Since most of my money from modeling that comes in ( and my most consistent gigs) comes from Art modeling, just thought I would talk a little about that.

I have met many amazing artists, and recommend you go check out their work., I will try to supply links.

   The above piece was done by Tracey Padron at the Division Street Drawing Guild ( they meet every Thursday in Elgin)  I always love her use of shadows and high lights  , as well as her classical leanings.She is such a vivid, energetic,passionate person.  Her intensity while working always astounds me.

By JacQueline Zemke  

  JacQueline, seems always to be trying something new, and she tends to gravitate toward a wonderful use of color . I get to see her at the Dole Mansion Drawing group in Crystal Lake as well as The Division Street Drawing Guild. She is colorful in real life, not just in her work...it shines from her.

By Piotr Antonow 

And speaking of color, I met Piotr at one of the painting drawing workshops given by the amazing Evanston  Art Center,   All of his portraits are so very vivid. He has a sly sense of humor, and is really fun to work with.

By Chuck Kulma

Chuck is another I met at the Division Street drawing Guild in Elgin.  He does wonderful ,flowing watercolors. Chuck is great guy , mellow, funny  and I always find his work graceful.  


  There are SO very  many more artists that I have met in the 2 or so years I have been doing this ( but I don't have pictures/ examples of all of their works... which makes me sad, I need to be better about getting shots of things- if anybody ( hint, hint) wants to send me shots of finished pieces, I would love to do another version of this post...or make this type of post more regularly to share your art ) All of the people I have had the honor to work with are great people, and always make my work hours go so quickly. Humor,and kindness abound. Sculptors, painters, those working in pencil, pens, pastels. The teachers of workshops and classes, the students and artists.  I truly enjoy my time modeling for them.  It always fascinates me how many versions there are of the same pose , and the same person.It goes beyond just different angles and into truly different styles and approaches to the art itself.  It is truly beautiful to watch.

Submissions

Photo by Blue Note Images

Part of being a "freelance" model is submissions ( although, technically I have been signed by Kingdom Model  talent Agency and The Twisted Agency.  But Kingdom, my local agency deals more with "lifestyle" and commercial type work and Twisted is UK based, and still working on getting really established here in the States. So neither, at this point have gotten me any paid work)

You submit to magazines, you answer e-mails, send packets to casting calls, and you submit to  agencies ( as long as any agencies you are all ready signed with are non-exclusive ones)
I submitted to Inked Magazine to be one of their models as well as sending a packet with pictures and stats and such over to Famous Inked Models today ( which is a branch out of Famous Models) They  specialize in tattoo models, unlike many other agencies, that from what I see, don't quite know what to do with me. ( Which I don't mind, As I myself am not sure what my "nitch" is...though I know there is one!  They are based out of LA, but do bookings all over.  I am hopeful that they will see that there is a market for the older tattoo model, as I am all ready working and booking my own gigs.... but having a big agency might just give me the push I need to really get going.

Econica, a first look

Photo by: Michael Barton
Dress by Econica

So I did my first shoot with a piece of  Econica's clothing line ( this is a piece I had recently ordered from her- not one of the ones she is sending me- which is still a mystery, as to WHAT she is sending me. I am truly antsy to find out- I know I will love anything she does though )
I wanted to do the shoot, to give her a base point, so she could tell me if she wanted anything changed stylistically or  lighting wise. ( or any other way)  Before I got a whole bunch of stuff, and shot. I want her to be happy with the images,and I want them to be usable for her upcoming stand alone website.

So what do you all think?  How is this for an online  catalog ? What changes do you think I should make for the next shoot? By the way, this is her " Long pullover tunic dress with pintucks and asymmetrical hem"     The sleeves are a touch longer than normal, as I like them long.

I am truly excited about this whole prospect.

Summer Bookings

Photo by Michael Barton Art

Summertime is usually when bookings ( at least for me) tend to pick up.  Which makes sense. People can get out of the studio,and if they don't have a studio to work out of,outside is  a good call for a great many types of shoots.

That being said, I am always looking for bookings.  For alternative local  bookings please contact me through this blog ,or though my FaceBook page, at ChristaC1313
For more lifestyle , Editorial or Fashion type shoots please contact my local agency , Kingdom Model Talent Agency at info@kingdomtalentmgmt.com
And international opportunities  ( UK or Europe) (Though keep in mind, I am not able to travel for the most part... so clothing or accessories would have to be sent to me ) Please contact  The Twisted Agency at info@thetwistedagency.com

So far, this summer, the following dates are booked with photographers. ( I have other dates booked for Art / drawing modeling, which do tend to book out, so please don't wait too long, or the summer and nice weather will be over .  That would indeed make me sad)
There are also a couple other concepts that don't have specific dates at the moment, but are going to happen... that would include at the least a Fairy Shoot  and a Tattoo/ Phoenix shoot with another tattooed model.  So again,don't wait!

April 25th-McCarrel Photography-High fashion Cats
May 30th- G&D Studios- Cowgirl and nerd pinup
May 31st- Absinthe Moon Photography- Black Metal Glamour
June 14th- Thom Rouse for The Clothed Image Catalog
June 29th- Larura dark photography- Ethereal Wolf

So if you have an interest in booking something, please contact one of the above e-mails, depending on what your concept/need  is.

Goals

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

It is good to have goals... in life,in business, in anything you do. It gives you that next level to reach for, the next step to take the next direction you need to push for.  I ,for the past 10 months,have kind of been treading water.  Mostly because of the unfinished state of my tattoo. I haven't been PUSHING. I have been doing shoots as they come up, and not really searching for them. I have been doing lots of Art Modeling,because then it is the purely up to the artist at hand if the tattoos are to even be included in the piece. ( not to mention that it is paid)
 
As I look at the tattoo being done in a couple weeks,what ARE my goals for this year? What is my next step.  ( and some of these I have touched on before,but here, I clarify them in my own mind)

1. To be in a print magazine,that can be found in a bookstore or newsstand.  ( or even more than one) A Tattoo magazine, a photography magazine.  Something that anyone could just buy, or subscribe to and have it come in the mail)

2. To be in one of the amazing online magazines, like Dark Beauty, or Giuseppina Magazine that focuses on amazing art photography.

3.To get a cover, of any magazine.  ( I know better than to be picky)

4. To work on more collaborations with clothes designers, accessory designers. I will be working with the amazing Econica very soon, but I want to do more

5.  More paid bookings.  ( MORE is such a nebulous word, what does it mean...for me,MORE is at least one paid shoot a month, every month...maybe even 2) This is, after all how I pay for groceries.  I LOVE TFP type shoots, mostly because it seems that there is more give and take between the photographer and myself, there is more of a willingness to just see where things go. BUT running with what is needed for a specific use, or the photographers vision, or a companies vision, that is good as well.  I need more bookings.

6. Stretch more, explore more,do more that I have not tried before.  Things like underwater photography, wind / motion/ fabric photography, Extreme make up/ body paint photography. Editorial photography, couture photography.... the list goes on of things that I want to try, things I want to do.

Realistically, will  all of this happen this year? Probably not, but if they don't, they roll over to next year, and if they do... well then ,I have to set higher goals for myself !  

  

Can you hack it?

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

I was reminded again that you need to have thick skin and not take things personally in this business of modeling.  You WILL get ignored, rejected, and sometimes even spoken down to, ( because of course, a model couldn't POSSIBLY have a brain)  or bluntly told that your "look" or your size, or your whatever, is not what is being looked for.  You will get reasons from age, to height to tattoos ( too many, not enough, not in the right spots)  Picture quality, style, retouching..... all of it. There will always be a myriad of reasons for you or your work  being rejected.  Or they will just not bother to respond at all .  Many will let this get to them, let it drag on them, and let it become some sort of editorial about their "worthiness" to be a model, or for some, even more sadly , even to exist.

You simply CAN NOT let it get to you.  You can make the choice either to keep going, or to give up if you can't handle it....but don't keep on doing it ,if it is going to contribute to  you being  miserable.... nothing is worth that. Trust me.

And trust me as well... it doesn't matter how thin, how tall, how big your boobs are or aren't, what styles you work in or don't work in...It WILL happen ...on more than one occasion, most likely fairly frequently.  I bet even Kate Moss or Cindy Crawford has ad campaigns tell them on occasion, that they aren't what  is being looked for.  This is part of the life.... if it isn't something that you can let just roll off your back, then this isn't something you will cope with well.

People  think about, and imagine the glamour  ( really,not so much,unless you count getting to play dress up- which is fun, no doubt) Sometimes call times are unpleasantly early, or late, or during evenings or weekends.  You have to network, network, network. You WILL be exhausted after a long shoot, trust me.  It can be too cold, to hot, wet, messy, dirty and just plain uncomfortable. BUT, you also have a chance to meet WONDERFUL people as Make up artists, designers, photographers ,magazine staffers, other models. Sometimes you get to do things that you would not normally get to ( sit in a vintage plane for example, or get to actually touch a wolf) Sometimes you get to travel.

What I am saying is this... you have to be willing and able to roll with the punches,keep going even with rejection,and keep a good attitude, and retain the ability to laugh the entire time....

This is a big part of being a model... it isn't just standing there a looking pretty. Your internal emotional landscape has to be able to cope as well.

   

Dragon and Phoenix.

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

Everyone wants to take pictures ( or draw or paint or sculpt ) my new tattoo..... Frequently as a close up.  I will take that to mean that it is a good one! ( I am happy with it,that is for sure)
April 29th, I go for ( in theory) the last session on it. After 10 or so months, 20 or so hours and over $3000.00 it will be done.  ( a good tattoo artist, is TOTALLY worth that kind of money, no question) I could have bought a motorcycle for that ....but I made the choice that I wanted THIS. To represent myself, to represent My husband, to represent our relationship.  And if photographers like to take pictures of it, all the better.

Just Inspiration

I am just going to post this link because these images are amazing lovely, and they inspire me.  Inspire me to get messy, to work even further on my flexibility and strength and inspire me to push even further. ( caution...they are nudes, though no bits are shown) By Ludovic Florent  the "Star Dust" series

Click here to see

Poses

Photo by Michael Barton Art

People always have questions about posing.... how should I do it?  What should I do? What in the world do I do with my HANDS?

It stands to reason that different types of modeling require different poses....though there is one consistent across all types " Suck it in, push it out"  Yup, just what it sounds like... suck in your tummy,push out your chest ( ladies, you may also arch your lower back a bit to accentuate your backside )  We won't get into facial expressions,that is a whole other post.

Because I like to do "arty" and think about lines and angles ( Fine Art Minor, you know), poses tend to be vaguely uncomfortable at the least, and sometimes actually hurt and can only be held for a few moments before a body part cramps up,or gives out.

You may think that is rather brutal...  I do it to myself, my goal is to have interesting, and on a good day , beautiful poses...though a photographer may urge me to push it, and strain more than I am all ready doing, I very, very rarely have one dictate a pose to me.  It helps that I do research for poses, depending on the type or theme of the shoot.  Anyone who says that modeling is just about standing there and looking pretty, isn't working hard enough.

Working out and being in shape and strong ( and yes,there are some bigger girls who are AMAZINGLY strong,so that is NOT a dig about size)   is crucial to the more strenuous poses, and being able to hold them...( and not let it show on your face)

Many poses, that look great as an image...don't even LOOK like they are that strenuous, until you try to do them yourself.....go ahead,put on a pair of heels and then try to copy some poses from magazines ( and not the just standing there ones that are showing off clothes and such) do the more art type ones...the ones where they are draped, folded, twisted or even bending.  See? Not as easy as you thought, huh?

On the subject of hands... to me they should match your body tension....if you are in a very graceful ,soft pose, your hands should match....if  there is tension in your body, your hands should be spread, or up on fingers or in some other way dynamic.Watch a dancer,of any kind, watch the kind of things they do with their hands.... work on emulating that.  

And on that note, I am going to work out .