Old goals, and new ones

By Cadence McCarrel

Last year I had some goals for 2014.  A model of the month contest, a cover, more publications, a print magazine ( as in one that can be bought at a store) merchandising work.

Well, I didn't get  any but the publications during 2014...BUT the first part of 2015, has been pretty good!

In January, I got my first cover, ( GEM Magazine, out of the UK) for their "Glitz and Glam" Edition.
In February, I won my first Model of The Month competition for The Alternative Model Directory ( for Cosplay) I also got in contact with a wonderful hat maker who will loan me her lovely handmade hats to shoot in.  So I met the goals a little late...better late than never!

More publications, are certainly on their way this year, as last year, which is a good thing.  This makes me happy too.

So I suppose, I will carry over the goals I did not meet to this year, and add some more?

So for 2015 my goals are:
A printed magazine
More paid work
more merchandising work
To go to more casting calls
Keep learning, keep refining, keep networking

Onward and Upward!

By Wolfshead Photography

Workshops

By: Blue Note Images

What about workshops?  Well, they are a great way to meet other models and photographers, thats what.
There are typically between 4-15 photographers , you get to work with most, if not all ofthem,and you get at least a couple pictures back from most of them ( make sure to pass on your card/contact info...otherwise how do they get hold of you?) It can also lead to individual work with particular photographers.
You get to meet other models, and see how they move and work- which can help you refine your own look as well.
The only downside is that there is GROUP of photographers,all trying to get their shot, and hearing the different directions all at once can be confusing.... the best groups are the ones that give each person a turn to direct, so as to make it easier for all involved.
How does one get involved?  Keep an eye on casting calls, and if any of your regular photographers teach as well...ask! They might not know if you are interested, unless you do!

Some workshops even pay, but at the very least, they are typically TFP.

Workshops...they are worth it!

I Am...and where I want to go

                                                      Photo by: G&D Studios


I am,as I have said before, a geek girl at heart.  But I am also an artist.... So while being drawn to cosplay and fun nerdy shoots, I am also drawn to deep, dark mysterious, moody and artistic shoots....I am more than happy to stand and show off clothes, or be silly and quirky if that is what you want me to do, but I want to do more too.

What does that mean to me,exactly?  Well that is when it gets hard to explain...how to explain "art" I want things that evoke a response, an emotion.I want to do things that haven't been seen before, I want to push my limits...I want to push the photographers limits.  Sometimes I want black and white and gritty images, but there is nothing wrong with pageantry and color either.

I suppose that I am a creature of contrasts...as truthfully, most people are. I like finding people that I can explore those contrasts with.  And I am very lucky that I have found more than one...and even more lucky that I can call them friends.

So, after being gone from here for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Holidays....1. I am thankful for photographers that will explore those contrasts with me. and I resolve to work more with them in the upcoming year.  ( and also do my best to be better about posting here more often. )

Though that brings up....what kind of content would you want to see here in this next year?  Musings? ( Images are a given) more informational things about the industry as I see it?    Let me know what YOU want to see.

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.  

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.              

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.)    

Lightbulbs and prom dresses

Photo by: Michael Barton Art 

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 !  

  

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

Experiments

All photos by Michael Barton Art

Yesterday's photo shoot was experimental  for me and Michael, the photographer, in many ways.

Experiments with light and wind and motion and capturing it all.

The shot with the leaves, we had to figure out how to light it, so there would be shadows....we didn't want to use photoshop, we wanted real time. ( nothing wrong with using photoshop,but that wasn't our goal)  Playing with positioning , figuring out how to get the leaves to fall "right' ( thus the fan) It was a puzzle that took almost 2 hours of back and forth experiment and test to get "right"  The image above is just a quick one... no real editing.... I am anxious to see more .

Then Michael wanted to experiment with multiple light bulbs ( he likes a single one and uses it quite a bit in shoots) he scrounges all over the area for parts to make 13..... and then had to figure out how to hang them.  I think the lights themselves were good....hanging needs to be worked on.  Then playing with settings to deal with ALL that light.  Again that was at least an hour in just set up.

Then I threw another loop,and brought out 3 strings of mini lights, which necessitated more testing and playing and experimenting.

It is a wonderful thing to have someone who is willing to do there own experiments, as well as more than willing to explore someone else s ideas and experiments. I am truly glad that I have found that kind of person in Michael Barton.  We push each other ( though I truly think he pushes me further...but he has been a photographer for far longer than I have been a model.  ) Finding a photographer that turns not only into  a friend, but someone that pushes you creatively...it's rare, and something to be truly grateful for.  

   

Noir

Photo by: Mike Liberacki ( SnackKing) 

The Scream

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

Versatility

Photo by  Jack Hall ( Plane Courtesy of the Gauntlet Warbirds)

There are some models who specialize in one or two genres of modeling.  I myself want to do and experience as many different types as I can .  This particular shot is from my very first true retro  pin up style shoot, that I did my own make up and hair.  ( I had tried once before, but didn't quite get the feeling)
I had done pin up before, but it is a lot easier to get the look when your wardrobe, hair and makeup are all done for you.  Those Victory Rolls? That was an hour of cursing and fussing and fighting with my hair to do ( after looking at lots of pictures and you tube videos  . That make up? That was watching over a dozen youtube videos and finding appropriate reference material to study.

That's the thing, I suppose.  It is easier to stick with one or two generes, you get to know them, you are comfortable in them.  Switching it up, requires research on poses to wardrobe to make up to hair to facial expressions,every time you do something different, you should study and prepare.... and if you aren't, well, prepared to do that with every new style, then be safe and stick with the ones you know.

I like to be constantly learning, and I like to research, so doing different things,is fun for me.  I don't want to get stuck doing just one thing... I want to try it all ( or at least all I am suited for) from lifestyle to glamour. Pin-up to fetish. Art to Commercial. Tattoo to Editorial. I want to do it all, and I seem to be steadily working toward that goal, and getting acknowledged for it.      

Wardrobe- What to do?

Photo by Al DaValle

 

Photo by: Thom Rouse

One issue facing many freelance models is wardrobe.  You don't want to go to more than 1 or 2 shoots with the same clothing, and if you still work Trade for Time/ Trade for Pictures  ( TFT or TFP ) you aren't getting paid, therefore spending much extra money on clothing that you may or may not use again in real life doesn't appeal ether. ( Not to mention storing the clothing, for some nebulous future use)

So what options does one have?

For me, it depends.  My first choice generally is the thrift store, for a couple reasons.  The first being cost.  It is inexpensive and one never know what will be found..   You also can simply redonate or sell it again, when you are done and you don't feel too bad, since it was inexpensive to begin with.  I do this quite a bit .  The downside... If you are looking for something VERY specific,you may not have much luck. The other issue, especially if you are doing period or more alternative looks, they also may not have appropriate clothing.

There are also inexpensive lingerie places like Yandy , if bodysuits, fishnet, lingerie is needed or wanted.

If you are handy and can sew, they is also the option of making your own  ( this is not however one of my options, I can't sew on a button!)

Another, newer option is to rent the clothing .  There is a site, specifically for artists, models and photographers called the Clothed Image ( the two images above are pieces from them) They have historical pieces, vintage pieces as well as more alternative pieces.  Add accessories, like hats , jewelry ,  boots, goggles,or what have you, and you have created a unique look.  They mail you your choice, and when you are done you mail it back.  Very easy and un complicated.

Be creative, look around in places you might not normally think of, and most of all have fun.

Commercial VS Art Modeling

Photo by: Cadence Gamache ( Now Mccarrell Photography) 

                           

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

 I ,personally want to experience and try my hand at as many different aspects of modeling as I can.  One difference that many new models don't seem to get is the difference between ART modeling and COMMERCIAL modeling.  These two pictures are a good example.

Now that is not to say that commercial modeling cannot be artistic, or art modeling can't be commercial- that couldn't be further from the truth . But on the whole there are things that go into different categories,  that are styled differently,and done differently. Be aware.
One key is  lighting, as you can see is very different, the finishing is very different.  The general purpose,of course is very different.

Obviously Art Modeling is all about the image, and can be moody, and heavy on shadow ( or not,it is of course ART after all)  It can be simple, or not, depending upon the artist. It can be heavily phtoshopped, or not at all,depending on the image, the model sometimes,unrecognizable as the model, or sometimes even as a human figure.

Commercial modeling is to showcase either clothing, or the model themselves.  The shadows tend not to be as deep, the skin is flawless, the background may or may not be more simple, however.  It is the kind of photography you typically see on billboards, in magazines, in model portfolios.  It is retouched,cleanly, and again the focus is on the model.

I enjoy doing both.( though to be honest, I probably enjoy art modeling a touch more.... but I think that is indeed the artist in me, and I know I enjoy making darker images more)   I enjoy looking at both...but KNOW what your photographer does best, and know what type of image you need for submissions or portfolio or whatever you are planning to use your image for.  Educate yourself about what you need.  

Fishnet

                            Photo by: Michael Barton Art