Monday, January 31, 2011

Wanna Pretend to be a Model?


Seems like I'm always getting some new idea that I want to try. Sometimes it's because I got inspired by a seminar or magazine article, or maybe I bought a new prop or backdrop, or sometimes it's just because I got some out-of-the-blue-hair-brained idea that I want to try. Or maybe I'm working on an idea for a painting or fine art photograph.

Now, I'm a portrait photographer all the way down into my heart. If I'm going to play with a new idea, it almost always involves having someone in the photograph.

So what do I do? Often I pull up my "Little Black Book" of people who are interested in being my models and call someone to offer a free session and a copy of my favorite image when we're done. Kinda like planning a play date. (By the way, that's also where I look first when a commercial client needs someone included in their shot with their product.)

Well--here's the problem. It's been two years since I updated my "Little Black Book" for models, and that's waaaay too long. I've got several ideas percolating, and it's just plain time to update things.

If you're interested, here's the plan. Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 from 10am to 5pm we're having an open casting call. No appointments, just pop in whenever you can. There will be a couple of forms to fill out and an model release to sign (must be 18 or signed by parent or legal guardian) and we'll do a quickie head shot for our book. That's all there is to it.

No need to dress up, no pressure. After you get called for a full-fledged session that's when we'll get all gussied up and stuff. Of course, there's no guarantee that you'll get a call to come, but if you don't get into the book it's a pretty sure bet you wont. If you REALLY want to be part of this, but you have to be outta town that day, call us and we'll fit you in some other time.

FYI: I might submit a favorite image to a background or prop manufacturer, and they could end up using it in their next catalogue or on their website. That would be super cool!

Models Needed for Projects I'm Working on Now:

Newborns 1-10 days old for new crochet snuggies, slings. (Expectant mom's can register their babies for our book with just a due date and a model release)

Babies 1-3 months old for new crochet baby hats and toboggans I'm making.

One through seven year old girls to show off our NEW COLLECTION of the cutest tutu's from Peach Tea Couture. They're adorable, and I have the entire collection, so I need a bunch of adorable girlies to come play dress up with me.

Families to pose for sample shots for marketing materials for our new division that offers Church Directory photography.

Princesses, fairies, or little boys who love frogs to be photographed in our castle arch outside. Our fab faux painter has painted us a wall to go behind the arch, and the vines are finally starting to grow up it a little, so it's ready!!!

High School Juniors from all the Triad High Schools: Trinity, Wheatmore, Randleman, Central High Point, East Davidson, Southwest Guilford etc. We're looking for Senior Spokesmodels for next years senior portraits. If you're part of the Class of 2012 and wanna earn some cash--we need to talk!

Teens with hip urban style, or toddlers with farm themed outfits for a new set we're getting ready to install. It's made of aged tin from an old barn roof. Rhonda risked life, limb, and husband to get that stuff, it's gonna be a really cool backdrop.

Expectant mom's with a sense of adventure. I wanna play with some ideas for maternity portraits that are different. ;-)

Pets of all kinds, housebroken, well loved. Working on a display and updating website photos.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Hats off to Plumbers!

The last 24 hours have renewed my respect for plumbers. Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.

We've noticed an odd smell in the water at the studio for a while now. It didn't smell bad all the time, but when it did the scent was getting stronger. Kinda a rotten egg smell mixed with home-perm ammonia. Sounds lovely doesn't it? Finally we figured out that it was somehow only associated with the hot water.

Yesterday our landlord's plumber came and got our problem fixed, yea! He was polite, thoughtful, explained things, did what he said he would do, and made it a pleasant experience all the way around. We're happy, yes, very happy.

But that's not the only reason I'm so filled with awe and respect for plumbers today. Nope, not at all. This morning I must have had an attack of stupidity, and took it upon myself to repair our leaky toilet at home. It started leaking last week, and we bought the parts, but my talented hubby has been working on other "Honey Do" projects and hadn't gotten to this one yet.

I was anxious to have it done, as I don't like either trekking to the other end of the house to use the guest bathroom or trying to remember to turn the water on and off for each flush. The kit came with instructions, and I figured it was probably a 15 minute job. Right? Wrong! I also figured my honey would be filled with awe when he found out what I had done. Ha, ha. Maybe, but only if I don't tell him the entire story.

My 15 minute project took an hour and a half. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will tell you that I have now had two bonus showers, and the bathroom walls are much cleaner than they were yesterday. So is the bottom of the towel cabinet over the toilet. FYI, if you've never tried this at home, you might be surprised to know that the water that fills a toilet in wintertime is very doggone cold.

I'm really happy to be at work now. I'm a pretty good photographer and artist, but it takes a special kind of talent to be a plumber. Keepin' my day job. Yep. Definitely!